...Efficient asset allocation through statistical learning methods and comparison of methods for the creation of an index tracking ETF (Exchange traded fund) Datasets: The datasets are chosen from the website of the book “Statistics and Data Analysis for Financial Engineering” by David Ruppert. The book is mentioned as one of the references for this course. The two data sets chosen are 1. Stock_FX_Bond.csv 2. Stock_FX_Bond_2004_to_2006.csv The data includes the volumes and adjusted closing prices for GM, F, UTX, CAT, MRK, PFE, MSFT, IBM, C and XOM. The data also contains the volumes and adjusted closing prices for the S&P 500 index. The data set also includes treasury rates for different maturities and rates on corporate bonds as well as foreign exchange rates for the period of 1987 to 2006. Objectives: 1. Optimal portfolios for various levels of Risk. Conventional investors look to attain maximum alpha values (rates of return) at levels of risk they are comfortable with. We can hence at any level of risk, define portfolios that generate maximal returns. In this project, we aim to identify the composition of portfolios that achieves this desired objective. Existing models such as CAPM, along with additional forms of regression will be used to compare with additional methods, not covered in the duration of the class to identify the better methods of portfolio creation. We will use learning tools and models to predict the rates of return and risk for each stock that...
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...thoughts: Pricing Summary Introduction As you read this proposal, please consider the women at Haitian Creations. The goal is to empower them with knowledge and to share the good news with these ladies: “My name is Joseph and I am 23 years old. I have 2 children who are 6 and 3 years old. I was living on the streets. Now, I am able to live in a home. I have worked at Haitian Creations for one year. This program allows me to pay for my children's education. I am very thankful for Heartline giving me the opportunity to learn and work. One day I would like to study and be a nurse.” - Joseph Wideleine “My name is Nehimie and I am 27 years old. It is difficult to find work and I am very excited to be able to learn and make purses. This is my first job and I have worked at Heartline for one year. I enjoy making purses and other products with my hands. One day I would like to be a clothing fashion designer.” - Nehimie Ulysse Can we help more women like this? These are women that are working hard to bring themselves out of the oppressed lifestyle they are all too familiar with from before. When I visit the program I see them studying, writing down notes, working long hours from sunrise to sunset. The heart of Heartline is that we want to be diligent in doing everything we can to support these women. Details of the Plan We support and help grow the program by marketing their creations to others in the U.S. We distribute their work to shops in Haiti, shops in the U.S., purse parties,...
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...Longstaff and Kenyon Taylor for the Royal Canadian Navy. As part of the secret military project DATAR. The name “trackball” comes from the fact that the respective device actually used a standard Canadian five-pin bowling ball. Just imagine how “easy” using such a product really was. (Vochin, 2009) Engelbart created the first prototypes of the now-familiar device in 1963 at Stanford Research Institute, but he first displayed his creation to the public in Dec 6, 1968. ( Edwards, 2008) The mouse was much larger than today's mouse, square, and had a small button in the top right corner. It used two wheels to roll back and forth. It was the also the first mouse that could fit into a user's hand. In 1972, Jack Hawley and Bill English, inspired by Engelbart’s work, designed a digital mouse for Xerox PARC. This new mouse didn’t require an analog-to-digital converter but instead sent digital positional information directly to the computer. It also contains the first mouse ball, which was a metal ball bearing pressed against two rollers to track movement. A similar tracking design would be used in most mice for the next 27 years. (History of the Computer Mouse, 2013) In 1981, Xerox produced the first commercial mouse. It was built for the overly...
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...follows: 1) PVF will strive to increase market share and profitability (prime objective). 2) PVF will be considered a market leader in customer service. 3) PVF will be innovative in the use of technology to help bring new products to the market faster than our competition. 4) PVF will employ the fewest number of the highest-quality people necessary to accomplish our prime objective. 5) PVF will create an environment that values diversity in gender, race, values, and culture among employees, suppliers, and customers. Background Decentralized Database System As PVF started to migrate into the computer world, the company was still relatively small in size and thus a department-orientated approach—Orders, Accounting, and Payroll—to the creation of the database system which was satisfactory for the time being was created. At the same time of this systems approach, computers were implemented around the company and a database management system to complement their new informational system implementation. This system was a quick fix to a growing company that was delving into an area still new to them. However, this approach was doomed...
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...PJM505 - Quantitative Methods in PJM Technical write up on Software tools available for project management to help managers to use quantitative analysis Project Management: A project is temporary in that it has a defined beginning and end in time, and therefore defined scope and resources. And a project is unique in that it is not a routine operation, but a specific set of operations designed to accomplish a singular goal. So a project team often includes people who don’t usually work together – sometimes from different organizations and across multiple geographies. The development of software for an improved business process, the construction of a building or bridge, the relief effort after a natural disaster, the expansion of sales into a new geographic market — all are projects. And all must be expertly managed to deliver the on-time, on-budget results, learning and integration that organizations need. Project management, then, is the application of knowledge, skills and techniques to execute projects effectively and efficiently. It’s a strategic competency for organizations, enabling them to tie project results to business goals — and thus, better compete in their markets. Microsoft Project has a qualitative risk analysis methodology capability But what about quantitative cost and schedule risk analysis? Quantitative risk analysis gives the project manager the ability to see how a project schedule will be affected if...
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...Task 1 – Part A GenRays Matrix Template Project Management Knowledge Areas Recommended Tool(s) Project Charter, Facilitation Technique Project Integration Management Interviews, Product Analysis Project Scope Management Justification for Tool The project charter will be used for this knowledge management area because it defines the HRIS projects purpose, objectives, requirements, risks, and budget, which is important for this top-down, overall view of the project. The Facilitation Technique will also be used because it not only facilitates the development of the project charter, but will help the project team members accomplish their tasks through brainstorming, problem solving, meeting management, and conflict resolution. Interviews with GenRays senior leaders, department heads, and staff will be used for this knowledge management area to determine what the most beneficial aspects of an HRIS system are to the company. The results of the interviews will be used to help identify and define the features and functions of the project’s deliverables. Product Analysis will also be used to help determine which vendor’s pre-packaged HRIS system best meets the company’s needs, by analyzing the HRIS requirements, the product breakdown, the systems required, and the value of the product, and comparing to the offerings and information provided by the potential vendors that have already been identified. Decomposition, Expert Judgment, Gantt Chart Decomposition will be used for Project...
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...generates are generally considered essential components of prudent and reasonable business decisions. Firms rely on this information to function in all areas of the organization; Accounting IS, Finance IS, Marketing IS, Production/Operations IS, Human Resources IS and MIS. I will be focusing on three of these systems in the following paragraphs. Human Resources IS Information systems technology provides support for Human Resources Management in terms of speed, convenience, and accuracy of information. The HRIS system is set up for the data entry, data tracking, and data information needs of the HR. The HRIS provides overall: Management of employee information, reporting and analysis of employee information, company related documents such as employee handbooks, emergency procedures, benefits administration including enrollment, status changes and personal information updating, applicant tracking, and resume management. HR professionals must have an understanding of resource systems and skills to support hiring, training, and retention within an organization. Marketing IS Marketing Information Systems use customer data bases, decision support systems, sales automation, data warehouses, and business intelligence software to perform its functions. Some of these functions include; planning, pricing, promoting, product development or improvement, and distribution of goods and services. Many of the systems that they use give them a set of processes for creating...
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...installation of a benefits election system to support the tracking and reporting of employee (union and non-union) benefits. Background of Request: Memo to Graham Grove, 3/22/04 , on Health Insurance Benefits. This memo is located on the Huffman Trucking Intranet site under Human Resources - Communications tab. Expected Results/Impact when completed: Creation of a project plan in Microsoft Project that will be used to manage, track and report the progress of this software development to the management team. Facts About Huffman Trucking Huffman's primary customers include: • U.S. Government • Automotive parts suppliers to major manufacturers • Electronic consumer products • Raw materials (polymer) for manufacturers of plastic products • Any customer requiring special accommodations, such as wine, computers, munitions, etc. Huffman has facilities in: • Cleveland, OH • Los Angeles, CA • St. Louis, MO • Bayonne, NJ Huffman employs: • 925 drivers • 425 support personnel Huffman owns and operates: • 800 road tractors • 2,100 45' trailers • 260 "roll-on/roll-off" units SR-ht-001: Create a Benefits Election System Define Problem 5 days Analyze Situation 15 days Design Solution 10 days Implement Design 20 days Support Product 10 days Define Problem - Understand Organizational Context of Huffman Trucking HR Department - Understand the history of the problem with Benefits tracking System - Identify the team to work on the Implementation...
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...Management Information Systems Rozenblat Oleg (oleg.rozenblat@euruni.edu) Case study: UPS Competes globally with information technology Question 1: What are the inputs, processing, and outputs of UPS’s package tracking system? UPS is the world largest ground and air delivery service that operates worldwide. The main activity is about to receive or collect the parcel from sender and deliver it quickly and safely to the receiver. From information perspective, in order to provide the service UPS should receive the input information from sender such as details about sender and receiver (destination of the shipment, address) and customer preference on the service required such as collection/drop off, shipping times, etc. After all the required details are entered to the system, special software prints the label for each parcel which contains all the information. Then, UPS processes the information transmitting the label to the centralized computer system which generates routes how parcel can be dispatched, costing, timing and tracking opportunities. After, the output process include the service delivered and various reports to the customers, internal reports, log of queries and transactions, bills, claims supported by receiver signature. Ups also prefers to collect feedback on the service they deliver, so they can improve their service constantly. Question 2: What technologies are used by UPS? How are these technologies related to UPS’s business strategy? UPS uses various hardware...
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...in a fast growing company which provides marketing support via internet to other companies I realized that there need to be another position so that work gets completed on time. There is no one handling accounts payable to the service providers, many administrative works are falling aside, and beside my duties I have been busy making travel arrangement for the staff. I have been tied up between administrative jobs and could not focus on the strategic part of his job. This scenario made me realize the requirement of new job position and manager agrees with my decision to create new job so that I can devote more time on strategic issues. Now the challenge is to determine what this position will be. So, the case outlines the process of job creation, job design, performance mapping and challenges of organization performance Job...
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...These days, smartphones define our identity online and thus need to be treated appropriately in order to prevent hacking. By losing a smartphone, a person loses more than phone numbers and contacts. Accounts on social media, files which are synced, emails, messages and photos are lost too. Due to a person’s carelessness, all such information, which are downloadable might be shared on the internet. * * * * (Image Source: HDW) In the current world, where there are difficult to trace anonymous hackers, the need of protecting one’s own data becomes all the more important. The following tips would help in preventing hacking of smartphones. 1. Using of screen locks and encryption Usage of screen locks and encryption enable the enhancement of security of the Android systems. Pattern, pin and face lock being different types of screen locks which make it difficult in guessing the passwords. * * * * 2. Avoiding saving of passwords Saving of passwords to websites and onine services on someone’s devices provides a chance for accessing vital information when stolen. As a result of which, one should avoid saving all the passwords in one’s phone, specifically in respect to the mobile applications related to payment and banking. 3. Applications being required to be locked Applications containing private information need to be locked, providing additional security and preventing a person from using a lost device in case of the various...
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...What are the inputs, processing, and outputs of UPS's package tracking system? There are two sides to UPS's package tracking system: the external, customer-oriented side, and the internal company and employee oriented side. The input starts with customer with the creation of a scannable bar-coded “smart” label which can be done from the UPS website or using a special software provided by UPS, both accessible via the internet. These labels will contain data about the sender, the destination, and package arrival times. This data is received by UPS's central computer for processing and the information is then forwarded to one of their distribution centers where logistical planning will occur. UPS drivers are given a handheld Delivery Information Acquisition Device (DIAD) which can immediately record and upload pickup and delivery information and pictures of recipient signature to the UPS network, called UPSnet, for storing and processing. The data being sent from the DIAD is gathered from the scannable label on packages, recipient signatures captured, time card info, satellite feed of traffic patterns and changing schedules. Finally, all this information's outputs will include the UPS intranet available company-wide to distribution centers, customer service centers, etc., and the internet via UPS's website or embedded UPS functions within corporate customer's own websites. What technologies are used by UPS? How are these technologies related to UPS's business strategy? The technologies...
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...Critical Information Systems BSA/310 University of Phoenix Smith Systems Consulting Finance and Accounting Information Security systems The information security systems that have been put in place are all for the benefit of the company and its customers, to restrict the sharing of confidential information to those without clearance. Some of the features of this system are that the computer hardware is run off “In-House” dedicated servers and thin client desktops (for security purposes) and that there will be no file storage or file retention on those thin client desktops. Other policies that are in affect are those to help with practicing safe handling of sensitive information and the security of the area it is being accessed in. All of the applications and systems used are password protected to the maximum security standard recommended by the industry. All of the Finance and Accounting personnel have to undergo a comprehensive background check prior to their employment; this is to include such areas as education, prior employment, police records, credit records, and citizenship verification. Attendance logs are automated and maintained on each Finance and Accounting staff member and all other personnel that is authorized to access any part of the Finance and Accounting systems. For each employee and each workstation there are access and transaction logs that are kept and maintained. No employee of the Finance and Accounting department is permitted to work...
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...alert the retailer when it is time to reorder (www.barcodesinc.com). Automated inventory system will keep the competitive advantage of your company and increase the value of your business. This plan will describe all the necessary equipment required for a low-cost automated inventory system for a small clothing store. It will also explain the costs involved in creation of the system and describe the ongoing maintenance that will be required for the smooth running of the system and provide a workflow diagram of how the system will work. The equipments required to install a low-cost automated inventory system in small clothing store consists of a computer- desktop or laptop whichever is more cheaper, system requirements that can handle and store the inventory system, backup/recovery/portable hard disk and archive device, wireless router, inventory software, mobile scanning device like RF gun or any other device, barcode printer and barcode labels. The system will be user-friendly and provide reliability and versatility in performance of application. It will make tracking inventory simple and flexible. It will allow tracking and scanning inventory away from the physical computer. The...
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...that was conducted during the war. The company grew in numbers to 36 trailers and 16 tractors by the 1945. The growth of the company continued over the years resulting in the attainment of five carriers out of the eastern region. This type of growth has made it possible for Huffman Trucking to remain privately owned. Benefits Election System The tremendous success that the company has experienced over the years has made it necessary for the company to look at other benefits to its employees. Therefore, the company has chosen to implement a Benefits Election System “BES”. The main focus of the BES is to provide employees with a means of tracking and reporting their employee benefits. The union and non-union employees will be able to benefit from the BES. The company wants to create a design in Microsoft Project capable of managing, tracking, and reporting the progression of the BES software development. Huffman Trucking has provided a $10,000 budget to cover the expenses that may be incurred for the duration of the project. This goal of developing a...
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