Copyright © 2016 – Curt Hill The Digital World Understanding the challenges of this world

Introduction What do we need to understand? The emergence of the Information Age Its influence on globalization What information systems are How information systems can help or harm the organizations that attempt to employ them Key ethical considerations regarding the use of information systems Copyright © 2016 – Curt Hill

Importance of Information Information has always been important Historically we have never been able to process it all in our heads –We did not have it all –We did not always know what it meant Why does a product that has been a good seller decline in sales? –Factors unrelated to the product –Something better now exists –Knowing the answer determines the strategy Copyright © 2016 – Curt Hill

Through the Ages There are have been several ages in history These ages are dominated by one main focus Each age was the foundation for the next They are increasing in speed of arrival and decreasing in duration We never cease the activities of the previous age Copyright © 2016 – Curt Hill

First Two Ages The Agricultural Age provided the time and resources necessary for people to live in cities –Stay in one location and invent machines The Industrial Revolution showed the power of machines –Reduced the amount of work needed to produce necessities –Provided the tools necessary to replicate information and widely disseminate it in a low-cost manner –Starts about 1740 Copyright © 2016 – Curt Hill

Next The information age exploits the abundance of knowledge –Widespread distribution of knowledge electronically –Advent of computers allows processing this knowledge in ways never before possible The Biotechnology age is said to be ready to start in this decade –Will only last a few years Copyright © 2016 – Curt Hill

Current Trends There are several trends in the information age: –Mobile –Social Media –Internet of Things –Cloud Computing –Big Data These were completely impossible just a few years ago – in my lifetime –What will happen in your lifetime? Copyright © 2016 – Curt Hill

Mobile Many believe that we’re living in a post-PC era –Many thing, like , could only be done with PC in the past – not anymore –A smart phone is the most computer most people need In the developing world mobile devices often leapfrog traditional PCs –Follows a pattern of mobile vs. landlines –Easier to establish –Provides most of the needed capabilities Copyright © 2016 – Curt Hill

Where is mobile going? What are the implications of the advent of mobile? –Increased collaboration –The ability to manage business in real time at any location –New ways to reach customers There are applications that have not yet been considered –It was not possible before now Copyright © 2016 – Curt Hill

Social Media Over 1.28 billion (and growing) Facebook users –These share status updates or pictures with friends and family anywhere –Facebook is truly an information age corporation Organizations use social media to encourage employee collaboration or to connect with their customers What company does not have a Facebook site? Where is this going? Copyright © 2016 – Curt Hill

Internet of Things (IoT) Computer processing is cheap –What device is so inexpensive that it cannot be helped by a little intelligence? –Next step is to problems Devices have embedded computers and sensors –Connectivity over the Internet By 2008, more devices were connected to the Internet than people living on earth Copyright © 2016 – Curt Hill

Continuing The Internet of Things or the Internet of Everything? Instead of merely using wireless internet to send (or other notification) when there are problems, instead of related things talk to each other to improve performance –For example, when the security system is armed and the motion detectors show no movement reduce heating or cooling Copyright © 2016 – Curt Hill

Cloud Cloud is another example of cheap computing and connectivity The cloud is a server farm of systems with high internet connectivity When a smart phone needs more computing than it has –Sends request to the cloud –It is processed –Sent back Copyright © 2016 – Curt Hill

Cloud Again Web technologies enable using the Internet as the platform for applications and data Many regard cloud computing as the beginning of the “fourth wave” Applications that used to be installed on individual computers are increasingly kept in the cloud e.g., Gmail, Google Docs, Google Calendar Copyright © 2016 – Curt Hill

Cloud Again Another application A startup needs the usual business facilities: –Payroll and personnel –Accounts receivable and payable Rather than buying the programs and hardware rent them from the cloud –Software As A Service (SAAS) –Less expensive in short run Copyright © 2016 – Curt Hill

Big Data IDC estimated that in 2011, 1.8 zettabytes of data were generated and consumed How much is 1.8 zettabytes? It is 1.8 trillion gigabytes –Equivalent of 57 billion 32GB iPads This number is forecast to grow by 50 times by 2020 Copyright © 2016 – Curt Hill

Why Big Data What is big data? –Too large to fit in a spread sheet How can big data be used? –Data mining, among others –Consider Walmart There is another presentation on Big_Data Copyright © 2016 – Curt Hill

Now where? Separate presentations Topics like: –Globalization –Defining information systems –Ethics Copyright © 2016 – Curt Hill