Chapter 1 Information Systems: The Big Picture

1. Chapter 1Information Systems:The Big Picture Information Systems Today Leonard Jessup and Joseph Valacich

3. Textbook Overview • Ch 1 – IS: The Big Picture • Ch 2 – IS for Competitive Advantage • Ch 3 – Database Management • Ch 4 – Telecommunications and the Internet • Ch 5 – E-Commerce, Intranets, and Extranets • Ch 6 – Organizational Information Systems • Ch 7 – Enterprise-Wide IS • Ch 8 – IS Development and Acquisition • Ch 9 – IS Ethics, Crime, and Security

4. Textbook Overview • Appendix A – IS Hardware • Appendix B – IS Software • Appendix C – Computer Networking

5. 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

6. Case: IS at Washington State University • Automating educational processes • Online Administration • Registration • Financial aid • Grades • Online Course Management • Syllabi • Assignments • Online class discussions

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

8. Key Elements of Information Systems

9. Knowledge as a Business Resource • Knowledge Worker • A well-educated professional who creates, modifies, or synthesizes knowledge in one’s profession • Knowledge Society • Also called digital society, new economy • Working with brains instead of hands • The importance of education • Digital divide

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

11. 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

12. Careers: Operations Management • Trends • Virtual Corporations • Network Infrastructure • How wired is your firm?

13. The People Side of IS • Despite economic ups and downs… • Labor shortages predicted • U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics • http://stats.bls.gov/emp/emptab3.htm • Ranked among best jobs available

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

15. Develop Systems analyst Systems programmer Systems consultant Maintain Database administrator Webmaster Manage IS Director CIO Study University Professor Government scientist IS Activities and Careers

16. 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

17. IS Managerial Personnel CIO highest ranking IS manager—responsible for strategic direction IS Director responsible for managing all systems throughout the firm and day-to-day operations Account Executive responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of all aspects of IS within ONE particular division or functional area Info Center Manager responsible for managing IS services such as help desks, training

18. IS Managerial Personnel Development Manager coordinates and manages ALL new systems projects Project Manager usually responsible for managing a particular new systems project Maintenance Manager responsible for coordinating and managing all systems maintenance projects Systems Manager responsible for managing a particular existing system IS planning Manager plans for system growth and change in three main areas—hardware, software, and networking Operations Manager supervises the day to day operation of data/computer center Programming Manager coordinates all programming efforts

19. IS Managerial Personnel Systems Programming Manager coordinates support for maintenance of all systems software Manager of Emerging Technologies forecasts technology trends—evaluates/experiments with new technologies Telecommunications Manager coordinates and manages the entire voice and data network Network Manager responsible for managing one piece of the enterprise-wide network Database Administrator Auditing or Computer Security Manager responsible for managing ethical and legal use of information systems within the firm Quality Assurance Manager develops and monitors standards and procedures to ensure system accuracy and quality Webmaster

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

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

22. Hot Skills in IS Workers • Office / E-mail • Languages • Applications • RDBS Administration • Development Tools • Internetworking • Operating Systems • NOS LAN Administration • Networking

23. Types of Information Systems Transaction Processing System processes day to day business event data at the operational level of the organization—ie a grocery story checkout cash register Management Information System produces detailed information to help manage a firm or part of a firm—ie. Inventory mgmt system Executive Information System provides very high level aggregate information to support executive level decision making—ie news retrieval or stock update Decision Support System provides analysis tools and access to databases in order to support quantitative decision making—ie demand forecasting system

24. Types of Information Systems Expert System mimic human expert in a particular area and provides answers or advice—ie automated system for analyzing bank loan applications Functional Area Information System supports the activities within a specific functional area in the firm—system for planning and personnel training Office Automation System (a.k.a. Personal Productivity Software) supports a wide range of predefined, day to day work activities—word processor Collaboration System enables people to communicate, collaborate, and coordinate with each other—email, shared calendar

25. Types of Information Systems Customer Relationship Management System support interaction between the firms and its customers—siebel suite of e-business

26. Types of Information Systems Electronic Commerce System enables customers to buy goods and services from a firm’s website Enterprise Resource Planning System Support and integrate all facets of the business, including planning, manufacturing, and sales--SAP

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

28. 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

29. IS for Competitive Advantage • Strategic Systems • Competition: doing things faster, better, cheaper • How can systems gain one’s organization a competitive advantage?

30. International Outsourcing • Round-the-clock productivity • Cost savings

31. 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

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

33. 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.)

34. The Spread of Technology in Organizations • Benefits of centralized IS function • Coordinated planning • Consistent management • Systems compatibility and connectivity

35. Human Resource Planning for IS • The human resource challenge: • Tech workers need to understand business • Business workers must understand technology • Fluctuations in hiring tech workers • Downsizing issues • Recruiting issues

36. Career Prospects and Opportunities • IS applies to nearly every functional area within a firm • One may become indispensable in a firm through mastering tech skills • Anticipated growth in tech hiring

37. Coming Attractions:Is it a phone or computer? • Wireless Pocket PC • Merging mobile phones with personal digital assistant (PDA) technology • Communicate, collaborate, and coordinate