Chapter B The role of information technology Data Processing name for business technology in the 70s included technology that supported an existing business and was primarily used to improve the flow of financial information SUPPORT Information Systems 80s technology that helps companies do business like ATMs and voicmail DO Information Technology Technology that helps companies change business by allowing them to use new methods CHANGE How IT changes business Today IT allows businesses to delivers goods and services whenever and wherever the customer wants them anytime of day You used to go to theatres then blockbuster now you get movies online or on your tv Broke time and location barriers Brings work to people instead of people to work Smart phones allow you to access people when you are not in the office Move towards business intelligence Business Intelligence Any variety of software applications that analyze an organization s raw data and take out useful insights from it Changes traditional flow of information database comes to the individual Helps focus on what s important provide insight to negotiate payment terms with customer Types of information Business process information all transaction data gathered at the point of sale and through operations like resource planning and supply chain management Physical world observations Use of radio frequency identification devices Biological data fingerprinting biometric DNA to customize products and services Public data free and accessible data Data the indicate personal preferences Internet shoppers leaving a trail of information Managing information Infoglut Overabundance of information Step back and gain perspective can prevent being buried in infoglut Usefulness depends on quality completeness timeliness and relevance Organizing electronic files and e mails Use e mail program organizing tools Use consistent file names Use online backup services Use desktop search software Storing and mining data data The Internet Data warehouse stores data on a single subject over a specific period Data mining looking for hidden patterns and previously unknown relationships among Intranet a companywide network closed to public access that uses internet type technology to prevent unauthorized outsiders publish phone lists manuals etc Extranet a semiprivate network that uses internet technology and allows more than one company to access the same information or allows people eon a different servers to collaborate Virtual private network private data network that creates secure connections or tunnels over regular Internet lines Enterprise portals variety of resources Broadband technology Enterprise portal centralizes information and transactions and serves as an entry point to a Technology that offers users a continuous connection to the Internet and allows them to send and receive mammoth files that include voice video and data much faster than before Social networking and web 2 0 Inexpensive way to gain exposure Provides an array of opportunities and challenges Gives businesses tools to collaborate with consumers on products development Employee productivity may go down Web 2 0 the set of tools that allow people to build social and business connections share information and collaborate on projects online with user generated sites like blogs wikis and social networking sites Web 1 0 YouTube and Google Wireless information appliances PDA BlackBerry Mobility and flexibility Computer Networks Network computing system computer systems that allow computers to obtain needed information from huge databases in a central computer Expensive productivity loss upgrades Virtualization and cloud computing Virtualization a process that allows networked computer to run multiple operating systems and programs through one central computer at the same time Cloud computing a form of virtualization in which a company s data and applications are stored at offsite data centers that are accessed over the Internet Shareware software that is copyrighted but distributed to potential customers free of Software charge Public domain software Software that is free for taking Human resources issues Computers eliminate middle management and flatten organizations Can never be replaced with face to face Security Issues Viruses Phishing a scammer will embellish an e mail message with a stolen logo for a well recognized brand that makes the message look authentic Cyberterrorism Privacy issues Cookies pieces of information sent by a web site over the Internet to a browser that the software is expected to save and send back to the server whenever the user returns to that website Stability Issues Systems can be launched to quickly More complex more errors
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