The Internet & The New IT Infrastructure Chapter 9

Telecom & NetworksIS for Management2 Outline What is the new IT Infrastructure? How is connectivity achieved? What are the major pieces of the Internet? What is the wireless Web? How do organizations benefit from Internet technologies? What technologies support eBusiness? What are key management issues?

Telecom & NetworksIS for Management3 What is the new IT Infrastructure? Block diagram (Figure 9-1) Mixture of computer h/w from different vendors Large databases with central storage Small databases distributed on PCs / Servers Client/Server computing Desktops extended with mobile PDAs Public infrastructure Internet technology

Telecom & NetworksIS for Management4 How is connectivity achieved? Definition –The process that allows different devices to communicate with each other without human intervention Enabling factors –Standards for networking, O/S, & user interfaces –Open systems to allow s/w systems to operate on different h/w platforms –TCP/IP (5 layers) –OSI (7 layers)

Telecom & NetworksIS for Management5 How is connectivity achieved? (cont’d) Example: TCP/IP (Figure 9-2) 5-Layer Reference Model –Application –TCP –IP –Network Interface –Physical net Outcome –2 computers using TCP/IP would be able to communicate even if they were based on different h/w & s/w platforms

Telecom & NetworksIS for Management6 What are the major pieces of the Internet? (not part of textbook) User PC - Multi-Media PCs equipped to send and receive all variety of audio and videoUser PC User Communication Equipment - Connects the Users' PC(s) to the "Local Loop"User Communication Equipment Local Loop Carrier - Connects the User location to the ISP's Point of PresenceLocal Loop Carrier ISP's POP - Connections from the user are accepted and authenticated here.ISP's POP User Services - Used by the User for access (DNS, , etc).User Services ISP Backbone - Interconnects the ISP's POPs, AND interconnects the ISP to Other ISP's and online content.ISP Backbone Online Content - These are the host sites that the user interacts with.Online Content Origins Of Online Content - This is the original "real-world" sources for the online information.Origins Of Online Content

Telecom & NetworksIS for Management7 What is the wireless Web? Definition –Web-based apps enabling users to access info from the Internet using wireless mobile devices mCommerce Services & Apps (Table 9-5) Standards –WAP, WML, Microbrowsers Challenges –Tiny screens, 14.4 KBPS, air-time costs, minimal memory, limited power supplies, limited web content Solutions –Voice portals, faster wireless networks

Telecom & NetworksIS for Management8 How do organizations benefit from Internet technologies? Connectivity & global reach Reduced communications costs Lower transaction costs Reduced agency costs Interactivity, flexibility, & customization Accelerated distribution of knowledge

Telecom & NetworksIS for Management9 What technologies support eBusiness? Web servers eCommerce servers Customer tracking tools Personalization tools Web content management tools Web performance monitoring tools Web hosting services

Telecom & NetworksIS for Management10 What are key management issues? Challenges –Loss of management control –Connectivity & application integration –Organizational change requirements –Hidden costs of enterprise computing –Scalability, reliability, & security Solutions –Manage the change –Education & training –Data administration –Planning for connectivity & application integration

Telecom & NetworksIS for Management11 Next Class Chapter 10: Redesigning the Organization with Information Systems