Midterm1 Overview Feb. 26, 2004 Appendix A – IS Hardware Appendix B – IS Software Appendix C – Computer Networking

Chapter 1 Objectives Understand the term information systems (IS) Understand IS components: –Technology, people, organizations Understand IS career opportunities Understand types of information systems Understand IS and organizational success or failure Understand the future of IS management

Information Systems Defined Combinations of hardware, software, and telecommunications networks that people build and use to collect, create, and distribute useful data in organizations

Key Elements of Information Systems

Knowledge as a Business Resource Knowledge Worker –A well-educated professional who creates, modifies, or synthesizes knowledge in one’s profession Information-literate knowledge workers –Can define what information they need –Know how and where to obtain that information –Understand the information once they receive it –Can act appropriately based on the information Knowledge Society –Also called digital society, new economy –Working with brains instead of hands –The importance of education –Digital divide

Data Data: raw material, unformatted information Information: processed data (meaningful) Knowledge: understanding relationships between pieces of information Wisdom: knowledge accumulated and applied

Technology and Information Systems Computer-Based Information Systems –One type of technology –Technology – any mechanical and/or electrical means to supplement, extend, or replace human activity –Information Technology (IT) – machine technology controlled by or using information The goal of IS is to provide useful data to users –IS can be local or global, organizational or enterprise- wide

Goals of Information technology Increase employee productivity: reducing the time, errors, and costs associated with processing (OLTP, TPS, CIS) Enhance decision making: generate alternatives, recommend solutions, drill down through information (OLTP, DSS, GIS, EIS, AI, Data warehouses) Improve team collaboration: by sharing info (Collaboration System, Groupware) Create business partnerships: helping work together to provide better and more timely products and services (IOS, EDI) Enable global reach: marketing your product all over the world, take advantage of a cheaper/larger workforce (Internet, Translation phones) Facilitate organizational transformation: responding to the ever-changing needs of today’s marketplace.

Careers in IS Systems Analyst Systems Programmer Systems Consultant Database Administrator Webmaster IS Director Chief Information Officer Professor Government scientist

Chief Information Officer (CIO) Responsible for organization’s IS Executive level Became prominent in 1980s Challenges –Tightening budgets –Expectation management Subordinates –Mid-level managers –IS directors –Project managers

IS Managerial Personnel 1.CIO 2.IS director 3.Account Executive 4.Info Center Manager 5.Development Manager 6.Project Manager 7.Maintenance Manager 8.Systems Manager 9.IS planning Manager 10.Operations Manager 11.Programming Manager 12.Systems Programming Manager 13.Manager of Emerging Technologies 14.Telecommunications Manager 15.Network Manager 16.Database Administrator 17.Auditing or Computer Security Manager 18.Quality Assurance Manager 19.Webmaster

The High Value of IS Personnel Supply and demand –Aggressive recruiting –High salaries –Broad demand Large and small companies Urban and rural

Integrating Skills and Knowledge Technology –hardware, software, networking Business –business, management, social, communications Systems –Integration, development methods, critical thinking, problem solving

Hot Skills in IS Workers Office / Languages Applications RDBS Administration Development Tools Internetworking Operating Systems NOS LAN Administration Networking

The Organizational Side of IS 1.Transaction Processing System 2.Management Information System 3.Executive Information System 4.Decision Support System 5.Expert System 6.Functional Area Information System 7.Office Automation System (a.k.a. Personal Productivity Software) 8.Collaboration System 9.Customer Relationship Management System 10.Electronic Commerce System 11.Enterprise Resource Planning System

Disaster Plans for IS That IS is crucial to corporate success is illustrated by the need for disaster planning September 11 Are companies prepared now? –What’s at stake –The consequences of failing to plan

The Dual Nature of IS Systems can dictate success or failure Case 1: Denver International Airport Case 2: Federal Express Factors affecting success/failure: –Size and complexity of project –Size and nature of organization

IS for Competitive Advantage Strategic Systems to help gain or sustain some competitive advantage: whether the organization is large or small, every organization can find a way to use information technology to beat its rivals Competition: doing things faster, better, cheaper How can systems gain one’s organization a competitive advantage?

International Outsourcing United States executives are becoming increasingly comfortable with outsourcing projects to companies that do the work in remote locations at lower prices than can be found domestically. –Increase productivity –Cost savings: goal is 25% cost savings on outsourcing India has been a prime source of offshore programmers and project managers for information systems projects within companies in the United States.

IS Within the Firm Traditionally a love/hate relationship –“Techies” vs. mere “users” (us vs. them) –Poor service, lousy attitudes Now: progress toward better customer service –Better relationships within the company –Cooperation, not rivalry

Staying Current with IS News Great sources for IS current info: –informationweek.com –computerworld.com –cio.com

The Spread of Technology in Organizations Technology infiltrates business units Dual role for IS workers: –Work with IS technical group –Work with business unit (marketing, finance, etc.)