Chapter 1Why Information Systems

Matter

Information Systems Today

Why IS Matters

Leonard Jessup

Joseph Valacich

Ticketmaster uses the following to provide services to clients: A mix of online services, cutting-edge

technology, and traditional distribution Handheld computer applications “Citysearch” Web sites Wireless technologies All of the above

Ticketmaster uses the following to provide services to clients: A mix of online services, cutting-edge

technology, and traditional distribution Handheld computer applications “Citysearch” Web sites Wireless technologies All of the above

Ticketmaster uses all of these, and is constantly on the lookout for ways to integrate cutting-edge technologies and systems into its business.

Ticketmaster uses all of these, and is constantly on the lookout for ways to integrate cutting-

edge technologies and systems into its business

The key elements of information systems consist of all of the following: Hardware, software, and telecommunications

networks Hardware, software, telecommunications

networks, data, and people Hardware and software Hardware, software, and users Users and data

The key elements of information systems consist of all of the following: Hardware, software, and telecommunications

networks Hardware, software, telecommunications

networks, data, and people Hardware and software Hardware, software, and users Users and data

Information systems have five key elements: hardware, software, and the telecommunications networks that people build and use to collect, create, and distribute data.

Information systems have five key elements: hardware, software, data, people, and the telecommunications networks that people build and use to collect, create, and distribute data

The core component of an information system is the:

Computer E-mail system Communications system Computer chip User

The core component of an information system is the:

Computer E-mail system Communications system Computer chip User

The core component of information systems is the computer, which, like information systems themselves,

have changed dramatically over the past few years.

The core component of information systems is the computer, which, like information systems themselves,

have changed dramatically over the past few years

Discuss with your neighbor how information systems are used in your school

The early phase of the current economic recovery was: hiring intensive. a jobless recovery. lacking global competitiveness. a boom for technology stocks. driven by the popular business press.

The early phase of the current economic recovery was:

hiring intensive. a jobless recovery. lacking global competitiveness. a boom for technology stocks. driven by the popular business press.

While companies have begun to spend money on IS projects, they are looking for a good return on investments. As businesses increased their use of IS, they became more

productive with fewer employees

What will emerge as the number of knowledge workers and their importance increases?

A new economy More colleges and universities A knowledge society A wired economy A digital economy

What will emerge as the number of knowledge workers and their importance increases?

A new economy More colleges and universities A knowledge society A wired economy A digital economy

Peter Drucker predicted this rise in the importance of IT and information, explaining that education would become a

cornerstone for the knowledge society

Other writers have offered names for this knowledge society, including all of the following except: Network society New economy Digital divide Network era Internet era

Other writers have offered names for this knowledge society, including all of the following except:

Network society New economy Digital divide Network era Internet eraDrucker’s knowledge society has been termed many names by different writers. Castell wrote about the network society, Wired magazine called it the new economy, and others have termed it the digital society, the network era, and the Internet

era

The difference between data and information is:

Data is raw material, while information is data stored on computer systems.

Data has meaning, while information has none. You format data, but information is not formatted. You transform data into information. Information is raw material, while data is stored on

computer systems.

The difference between data and information is:

Data is raw material, while information is data stored on computer systems.

Data has meaning, while information has none. You format data, but information is not formatted. You transform data into information. Information is raw material, while data is stored on

computer systems.Data is raw material that has no meaning unto itself. It is transformed into information, often with the assistance of information systems

Think of an example of the way we transform data into information. Discuss with a classmate

Guidelines and rules are an example of:

Information Knowledge Wisdom Development Study

Guidelines and rules are an example of:

Information Knowledge Wisdom Development Study

Knowledge is needed to understand the relationship between different pieces of information, while wisdom is accumulated knowledge, allowing you to apply concepts

from one domain or experience to another

Information technologies combine machine technologies with ________.

manufacturing robots information systems computing and networking technologies mechanical and electrical systems basic technology

Information technologies combine machine technologies with ________.

manufacturing robots information systems computing and networking technologies mechanical and electrical systems basic technology

Machine technologies are used as building blocks and combined with computing and networking technologies

Can you think of examples of these combined technologies? Discuss them with your neighbor

The person in an organization responsible for integrating technology and strategy is

the ________. CTO CIO CEO systems analyst Webmaster

The person in an organization responsible for integrating technology and strategy is

the ________. CTO CIO CEO systems analyst Webmaster

Most large organizations have a CIO who participates in strategic decision making when technology will play a

major role

The ____ guides the course for a technology company’s technology products.

Chief Technical Officer Chief Information Officer Chief Executive Officer Chief Products Officer Chief Technology Officer

The ____ guides the course for a technology company’s technology products. Chief Technical Officer Chief Information Officer Chief Executive Officer Chief Products Officer Chief Technology Officer

The Chief Technology Officer helps to chart this course

What are some other careers in the information systems field? What is involved with these positions? Discuss

these with your neighbor

Knowledge and skills in hardware, software, networking, and security are examples of ______.

business skills systems analysis business competency technical skills organizational abilities

Knowledge and skills in hardware, software, networking, and security are examples of ______. business skills systems analysis business competency technical skills organizational abilities

These are all examples of technical knowledge and skills. The technical area of competency is difficult to maintain

because technologies change so rapidly

Development methodologies, critical thinking, and problem solving are examples of _______.

technical knowledge and skills business knowledge and skills IS managerial skills systems knowledge and skills None of the above.

Development methodologies, critical thinking, and problem solving are examples of _______.

technical knowledge and skills business knowledge and skills IS managerial skills systems knowledge and skills None of the above.Systems competency sets the IS professional apart from those who possess only technical skills, allowing them to manage complex systems projects and personnel

Discuss the importance of several IS core competencies to the organization with your neighbor

Which systems are typically bought “off-the-shelf” and enable people to perform their own work and work with others?

Transaction processing systems Office automation systems Management information systems Expert systems Decision support systems

Which systems are typically bought “off-the-shelf” and enable people to perform their own work?

Transaction processing systems Office automation systems Management information systems Expert systems Decision support systemsOffice automation and collaboration systems provide word processing, spreadsheet, and other productivity tools

What are these other systems used for? Discuss their uses with your class

Organizations use technology strategically to achieve:

efficiency. a return on investment. a competitive advantage. having the latest and greatest tools. security.

Organizations use technology strategically to achieve:

efficiency. a return on investment. a competitive advantage. having the latest and greatest tools. security.

Organizations’ technology use can be strategic and is a powerful enabler in gaining and sustaining competitive

advantages

An example of the new IS culture would be: huge project backlogs. control of computing resources. informing users what they can and cannot do. service mentality. cheap systems.

An example of the new IS culture would be:

huge project backlogs. control of computing resources. informing users what they can and cannot do. service mentality. cheap systems.

The new IS culture follows the idea of great customer service, with the IS staff improving their operations and relationships with the rest of the organization. They have taken on a more consulting relationship and are there now to assist users in solving problems

Today, centralized IS planning, management, and deployment helps achieve:

economies of scale in systems acquisition. optimization of systems integration. optimization of enterprise networking. economies of scale in development. All of the above.

Today, centralized IS planning, management, and deployment helps achieve:

economies of scale in systems acquisition. optimization of systems integration. optimization of enterprise networking. economies of scale in development. All of the above.

Even as information systems are used more broadly throughout the organization, and organizations are decentralizing technology and related decisions, there is a need for centralized IS planning, management, and deployment and coordination throughout the enterprise

Routine jobs and tasks that are being conducted by people in other firms or locations are considered ____________.

downsized rightsized streamlined outsourced productive

Routine jobs and tasks that are being conducted by people in other firms or locations are considered ____________.

downsized rightsized streamlined outsourced productive

Many routine jobs are outsourced to other companies around the world in order for the organization to return its emphasis to its core competencies or to reduce expenses

By 2008, global outsourcing of information technology will:

no longer be viable. enable a $120 billion increase in the U.S. real

gross domestic product. cost 100 million U.S. jobs. shift from China to India. be 50% of the total spending for software and

services by U.S. organizations.

By 2008, global outsourcing of information technology will:

no longer be viable. enable a $120 billion increase in the U.S. real

gross domestic product. cost 100 million U.S. jobs. Sshift from China to India. be 50% of the total spending for software and

services by U.S. organizations.

The cost savings will from global outsourcing will enable a huge increase in the GDP from companies spending about $31 billion