Chapter 4 Copyright © 2011 by Nelson Education Ltd. 1 Prepared by Norm Althouse University of...

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Copyright © 2011 by Nelson Education Ltd.1

Prepared byNorm Althouse

University of Calgary

Prepared byNorm Althouse

University of Calgary

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Learning Outcomes


1 Explain how information technology has transformed business and managerial decision making.

2 Discuss why computer networks are an important part of today’s information technology systems.

3 Give examples of the types of systems that make up a typical company’s management information system.

4 Describe how technology management and planning can help companies optimize their information technology systems.

5 Identify some of the best ways to protect computers and the information they contain.

6 List some of the leading trends in information technology.

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Information Technology


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Management Information Systems


Provide information about a firm’s operations

Provide managers with information needed to make decisions

Help managers categorize and identify ideas that result in operational and cost benefits

Differentiate between data and information

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Computer Networks


IntranetsIntranetsAn internal corporate-wide

area network that uses Internet technology to link employees

An internal corporate-wide area network that uses Internet technology to link employees

Wireless Wireless Now Commonplace(e.g., cell phones and PDAs)

Now Commonplace(e.g., cell phones and PDAs)

Enterprise Portals

Enterprise Portals

A customizable internal website that provides proprietary

corporate information to a defined user group

A customizable internal website that provides proprietary

corporate information to a defined user group

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Application Service Providers


Applications for personal useApplications for personal use

Collaborative applicationsCollaborative applications

Enterprise applicationsEnterprise applications

CategoriesCategoriesofof

ApplicationsApplications

CategoriesCategoriesofof

ApplicationsApplications

A service company that buys and maintains software on its servers and distributes it to subscribers.

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Integrated Information Systems


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Types of Information Systems


Expert System Uses artificial intelligence to get advicesimilar to solutions from consultants

ExecutiveInformation System

Provides specific informationfor strategic decisions

DecisionSupport System

Helps make decisions using computer models that ask “what if”

ManagementSupport System

Uses the internal master database to perform higher-level analyses

for decision making

TransactionProcessing System

Handles the daily business operations of a firm

Office Automation System

Uses information technology to improvecommunications throughout the office

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Technology Management and Planning

Overwhelming management taskmultiple locationsincreasing use of PDAs, cell phones, wireless e-mail

devices

Integrated, company-wide technology plan that:balances business judgmenttechnology expertisetechnology investment


Optimize IT! Optimize IT!

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Knowledge Resources


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Technology Planning

1. Perform general needs assessment

2. Rank projects

3. Rank / choose hardware and software

4. Evaluate benefits of the technology


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Spending too much Not getting adequate performance and payoff

from IT investmentsInvestments do not relate to business strategyBuying the latest technology for technology’s

sakeCommunications between IT specialists and IT

users are poor

Typical complaints about Information Technology investments

Typical complaints about Information Technology investments

Technology Management and Planning

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Data Security Issues


Unauthorized access to a company’s systemsSoftware that copies and transmits user’s

keystrokesViruses, worms, and Trojan horsesDeliberate damage to equipment or informationSpamPiracy

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Trends in Information Technology


Distributed workforce

Distributed workforce

Employees have no permanent office space and work from home or on the

road

Employees have no permanent office space and work from home or on the

road

Digital forensicsDigital forensics Digital evidence taken from an

individual’s computer or corporate network

Digital evidence taken from an individual’s computer or corporate

network

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Grid Computing


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Some Final Advice

1. Be careful about sharing information2. Ask how personal information is to be used3. Give only the minimum required personal

information4. Be very careful about giving out your SIN5. Do not give out your credit card except in

person unless you trust the other person6. Use technologies that enhance your security7. Pay attention to your billing cycles


Chapter 4 Copyright © 2011 by Nelson Education Ltd. 1 Prepared by Norm Althouse University of...

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