Imagine that you are the chief information officer for a medium-sized company that sells pre-packaged ingredients for healthy meals. The company is considering introducing emerging technologies into daily operations to improve employee productivity and expand its customer base. Keep in mind that the company’s main focus is to promote a healthy lifestyle and reach as many people with its products as possible. 1) What are some of the key questions that will need to be answered before you are able to determine if implementing any new technology is worthwhile? List at least three questions to ask.

2) You decide to start with ways to improve employee productivity. You have been reviewing research that states people who exercise daily are more productive at work. So, you decide to look into purchasing smart watches that can provide data about steps taken each day, calories burned, and other health information for all employees.

a) Identify three methods for evaluating this technology based on your response to question 1. Complete the chart below to help you compare and contrast these methods.

b) How do smart watches affect the business and its position in the global marketplace?

3) Now imagine that the smart watches have been purchased for all employees. A company wellness program has been set up to encourage employees to use their smart watches to monitor their fitness activities both in and out of the office. The company views this program as a success and wants to keep it running. You now need to consider how you will be able to maintain upgrades for this program.

a) What information will you need in order to determine the total cost of the upgrade?

b) The company's chief financial officer recognizes the need for an upgrade to the smart watches, but does not understand why the budget you proposed requests more than the purchase price of the updated software. How would you respond to these concerns?

c) A few of the company's employees do not want to upgrade their smart watches. They explain that it took them a long time to learn to use the current ones and do not understand why they cannot continue to use it. How would you respond to these concerns?

4) With the smart watch idea explored, you now want to focus on emerging technologies that could help the company expand its customer base.

a) Choose two technologies that you think would help the company meet its goals. Then fill in the chart below to compare the technologies in terms of how they impact business in the global marketplace. Include what the name of the technology and how that technology impacts business in a global economy for each side. In the center box, include anything the two technologies have in common with regard to the global marketplace.

b) Which technology would you choose to implement at your company?