Information Systems A Manager s Guide to Harnessing Technology 9 1 This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial Share Alike 3 0 Unported License To view a copy of this license visit http creativecommons org licenses by nc sa 3 0 or send a letter to Creative Commons 171 Second Street Suite 300 San Francisco California 94105 USA 9 2 Chapter 9 Understanding Software A Primer for Managers 9 3 Learning Objectives Recognize the importance of software and its implications for the firm and strategic decision making Understand that software is everywhere not just in computers but also cell phones cars cameras and many other technologies Know what software is and be able to differentiate it from hardware List the major classifications of software and give examples of each 9 4 Learning Objectives Understand what an operating system is and why computing devices require operating systems Appreciate how embedded systems extend Moore s Law allowing firms to create smarter products and services Appreciate the difference between desktop and enterprise software 9 5 Learning Objectives List the categories of enterprise software Understand what an ERP enterprise resource planning software package is Recognize the relationship of the DBMS database system to the other enterprise software systems Recognize both the risks and rewards of installing packaged enterprise systems 9 6 Learning Objectives Understand the concept of distributed computing and its benefits Understand the client server model of distributed computing Know what Web services are and the benefits that Web services bring to firms Appreciate the importance of messaging standards and understand how sending messages between machines can speed processes cut costs reduce errors and enable new ways of doing business 9 7 Learning Objectives Understand at a managerial level what programming languages are and how software is developed Recognize that an operating system and microprocessor constrain the platform upon which most compiled application software will run Understand what Java is and why it is significant Know what scripting languages are 9 8 Introduction Computer hardware The physical components of information technology which can include the computer itself plus peripherals such as storage devices input devices output devices and networking equipment Software is everywhere Cell phones cars cameras and many other technologies 9 9 What is Software Software A computer program or a collection of programs It is a precise set of instructions that tells hardware what to do Operating system The software that controls the computer hardware and establishes standards for developing and executing applications Applications Includes desktop applications enterprise software utilities and other programs that perform specific tasks for user and organizations 9 10 Figure 9 1 The Hardware Software Layer Cake 9 11 Functions of the Hardware Software Layer The flexibility of these layers gives computers the customization options that managers and businesses demand Understanding how the layers relate to each other Helps you make better decisions on what options are important to your unique business needs Can influence what you buy Can have implications for everything from competitiveness to cost overruns to security breaches 9 12 Operating Systems OS Every computing and specialty devices have an operating system Desktops laptops enterprise class server computers mobile phone iPods video game consoles and television set top boxes Some firms develop their own proprietary OS for their own hardware Some firms sell OS to other commercial firms Some specialty firms help other firms develop operating systems for all sorts of devices that don t necessarily look like a PC 9 13 Firmware and Embedded Systems Firmware Software stored on nonvolatile memory chips as opposed to being stored on devices such as hard drives or removable discs Despite the seemingly permanent nature of firmware many products allow for firmware to be upgraded online or by connecting to another device Embedded systems Special purpose software designed and included inside physical products often on firmware They help make devices smarter by sharing usage information helping diagnose problems indicating maintenance schedules providing alerts or enabling devices to take orders from other systems 9 14 Application Software It performs the work that users and firms are directly interested in accomplishing Desktop software Applications installed on a personal computer typically supporting tasks performed by a single user Enterprise software Applications that address the needs of multiple users throughout an organization or work group 9 15 Application Software Categories of enterprise software include ERP enterprise resource planning SCM supply chain management CRM customer relationship management BI business intelligence software 9 16 Categories of Enterprise Software ERP A software package that integrates the many functions of a business CRM Systems used to support customer related sales and marketing activities SCM Systems that can help a firm manage aspects of its value chain from the flow of raw materials into the firm through delivery of finished products and services at the point of consumption BI Systems that use data created by other systems to provide reporting and analysis for organizational decision making 9 17 Figure 9 4 ERP in Action 9 18 Application Software Most enterprise software works in conjunction with a database management system DBMS Database management system DBMS Sometimes referred to as database software it is software used for creating maintaining and manipulating data 9 19 Figure 9 5 An organization s database management system can be set up to work with several applications both within and outside the firm 9 20 The Rewards and Risks of Packaged Enterprise Systems When set up properly enterprise systems can save millions of dollars and turbocharge organizations by Making data more usable Easing the linking of systems with software across the firm and with key business partners 9 21 Distributed Computing A form of computing where systems in different locations communicate and collaborate to complete a task It can create entirely new ways of doing business It can yield enormous efficiencies in Speed Error reduction Cost savings 9 22 Distributed Computing Server A program that fulfills the requests of a client It is frequently used in two ways In a