CHAP #3

CHAP #4

CHAP #5

CHAP #8

Framework provides an outline of what you need to know about Information Systems.

1.Foundation Concepts- Fundamental behavioral, technical, business, and managerial concepts about the components and roles of information systems. Chap 1-2

2. Information Technologies- Major concepts, developments, and management issues in information technology--that is, hardware, software, networks, data resource management, and many Internet-based technologies. Chap 3-6.

3. Business Applications- The major uses of information systems for the operations, management, and competitive advantage of an internetworked E-business enterprise, including electronic business, commerce, collaboration and decision making using the Internet, Intranets, extranets. Chap 7-9

4. Development Processes- How end users or information specialists develop and implement information systems to meet E-business opportunities using several application development approaches. Chap 10

5. Management Challenges- The challenges of effectively and ethically managing E-business technologies, strategies, and security at the end user, enterprise, and global levels of a business.

System- A group of interrelated components working together toward a common goal by accepting inputs and producing outputs in an organized transformation process. (hopefully organized- only as good as design and code)

Input- Capturing and assembling elements that enter the system to be processed. EX- raw materials, energy, data, human effort, gasoline-(all must first be organized and/or refined before processing)

Processing- Involves transformation processes that convert input into output. Ex-manufacturing process, human breathing, math calculations.

Output- Involves transferring elements that have been produced by a transformation process to their ultimate destination. Ex- finished products, human services and management information in the form of printed output or electronic output, I.e. spreadsheets.

Feedback-data about the performance of a system. Ex- runtime data about nightly financial batch cycles. Monthly system generated report of system downtime.

Mention "Control of System Performance:

Feedback from customer of functional areas to IS personell who direct the service request to the appropriate Analyst.

Feedback could also come from certain system generated reports on runtime or system downtime etc.

Data which processes through the system generally must be stored. Could be entered via a computer online form. Data is stored in fields in a database then at a pre-determined time the data processes in what is known as a batch cycle. The data is transformed and stored in its new processed form again.

Relational database: Informix, DB2, Oracle, SQL Server, Access

Hierarchical: IMS

Information System Model- shows fundamental conceptual framework for major components and activities of an information system.

Information Systems depend upon five basic resources:

People, hardware, software, data, and networks

1. People-end users and IS specialists

end users are knowledge workers who comm . and collaborate, create use and distribute information in the organization. IS monitors, designs & develops, maintains systems.

2. Hardware - machines and various media, printers monitors, hard drives, etc

3. Software- includes both programs and procedures or processing instruc.

Two basic types of software: System software -dos, Application-excel.

4. Data resources-data and knowledge bases

data in databases hold processed and organized data. Know. Bases hold knowledge in various forms: facts, rules, best business practices

5. Network resources- communications media and networks.

Twisted pair wire, coaxial cable, fibre optic. Modems, internetwork processors internet browser packages, LAN, WAN etc.

Data is unformatted and raw. Has little meaning until the data is processed and put into some usable format. Generally the processed data comes out in the form of a hardcopy or online report. May be in a spreadsheet or a database view.

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Information that is outdated, inacurate, or hard to understand would not be very meaningful, useful or valuable to you, or other end users.

High quality information is what organizations want:

Information products whose characteristics, attributes, or qualities help to make the information more valuable to them. This is the transformation which data goes through when processed by a system. The high quality information must then be formatted for effective presentation to the end user. Page 17_

Big problem- Takes well outlined and detailed information requirements from the end users and managers. The Analyst takes these requirements and develops a system designed to provide the customer’s definition of high quality information. (I always speak from an IS&S perspective. The end users and managers are my customer)

In other words what does the customer consider accurate, relevant, current or frequent.

INFS supports day to day business operations:

Retail record purchases on POS. Inventory tracking, payroll, purchasing, evaluate sales trends.

Systems also support Managerial decision making: what lines of merchandise to by, what investment is necessary, information can b used by managers, buyers and others.

Systems can help maintain and support strategic advantage over competitors:

Utilize innovative uses of IS technology: touch screen kiosks in stores linking to e-commerce web site for online shopping building customer loyalty because of ease of shopping an buying merchandise. Or Lands End online catalog and store. Still has traditional catalog, but you can buy online with immediate customer service available.

1960s-Transaction processing, record-keeping, accounting, and other electronic data processing (EDP) applications. Added MIS or management information systems. Apps produced reports for managers for decision making

1970s-MIS not adequate so decision support systems born & ad hoc reporting tailored to decision makers style and information needs.

1980s-end users able to use computing resources to support their job requirements-no more waiting for indirect support from CIS dept.

EIS-executive information systems develop to give top execs. An easy way to get critical information they want, when they want it tailored for them.

AI artificial intelligence breakthroughs-allows some expert systems to serve as consultants to users by providing expert advice in limited subject areas.

Strategic Info. System began here and continued into 90’s

1990s-Information technology becomes an integral component of business processes, products, and services that help a company gain a competitive advantage in the global marketplace.

Rapid growth of internet, intranet and extranet change capabilities of IS in business. These Internet-worked enterprise and global electronic business and commerce systems are revolutionizing operations and management.

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Shows how Internet-worked E-business enterprise depends on Internet, intranets and extranets and other IS tech. To implement and manage E-business operations and electronic commerce and collaboration.

E-business is the use of Internet technologies to internet-work and empower business processes, electronic commerce, and enterprise communication and collaboration within a company and with its customers, suppliers, and other business stakeholders.

Enterprise collaboration systems-Supports virtual teams through use of Enterprise collaboration systems such as Net meeting complete with text and white board. Can also use digital camera for visual. Includes email and the use of web sites used by the virtual teams and other members of the organization.

Electronic commerce - buying and selling, and marketing and servicing of products, services and information over a variety of computer networks.

1. Operations support systems-

a. Transaction processing systems- real time or online processing(banks). batch processing(nightly cycles to aggregate and process day s activity)

b. Process control systems-efficiently process business transactions, control industrial processes, support enterprise comm and collaboration., update DB.

c. Enterprise collaboration systems- enhance team and workgroup communications and productivity.

2. Management support systems

a. Management Information systems-provie information in the form of repoirts and displays to managers and many business professionals

b. Decision support systems-give direct computer support to managers during the decision-making process

c. Executive information systems-provide critical information in easy-to-use format to a variety of managers.

Expert systems-provide expert advice for operational chores like equ9pment diagnostics, or managerial decisions such as loan portfolio management.

Knowledge Management systems- support the creation, organization, and dissemination of business knowledge to employees and managers throughout a company

Functional business systems-focus on operational and managerial applications in support of basic business functions such as accounting or marketing.

Strategic Information systems-apply information technology to a firm’s products, services, or business processes to help it gain a strategic advantage over its competitors..

Cross-Functional Information systems-real world typically sees an integration of the above mentioned systems so what you have are "cross functional informational systems that provide a variety of functions. Systems will produce information and support decision making and do record-keeping and perform transaction processing chores also.

Development process- use of some systematic development process which begins from the conception of the idea to the eventual implementation. Generally includes a plan for ongoing support, optimization and maintenance.

There is overlap in development stages. Begins with a request of some sort, the subsequent gathering of high level requirements, then broken down into a list of detailed requirements.

Analysis begins, feasability studies, time, duration and resource estimates are worked up. Alternative and primary solutions are recommended, along with cost estimates.

Design is on paper for the most part. Perhaps a quick prototype can be put together of some portion or module.

Generally takes up the greatest amount of time. Time spent in analysis and design is proportional to system successful implementation.

Construction-After design is complete you begin the construction phase. Actual coding of modules, building of forms and databases for implementation

Testing-User acceptance testing and system testing

Implementation-All accepted changed and new modules are moved into the production environment

Maintin and Optimize-

Success of an information system not just measured by efficiency but by the effectiveness of information technology in supporting an organizations business strategies, enabling its business processes, enhancing its organizational structures and culture, and increasing the business value of the enterprise.

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It is not just automation!

• Information Systems play a vital role in the efficient and effective operations of E-Business, E-Commerce and enterprise collaboration.
• The business professional must know:
• Foundations (fundamentals) of IS
• Information Technologies
• Business Applications
• Development Processes; and
• Managerial Challenges
• A system is a group of interrelated components working toward the attainment of a common goal by accepting inputs and producing outputs in an organized transformation process.
• An information system uses the resources of people, hardware, software, data, and networks to perform input, processing, output, storage and control activities.
• Information systems perform three vital roles in business firms. They support:
• Business processes and operations,
• Business decision making; and
• Strategic competitive advantage
• Major application categories of information systems include:
• Operations Support Systems; and
• Management Support Systems

Companies may counter the competitive forces they face with one or more of five competitive strategies:

Cost Leadership Strategies. This involves becoming a low-cost producer of products and services in the industry. Such firms can also help their suppliers or customers reduce costs.

Differentiation Strategies. This involves making the products of the firm distinct from those of the competition in the marketplace. Differentiation variables valued by the market reduce the threat of substitution.

Innovation Strategies. This involves finding new ways of doing business. This may involve developing new products, entry into new markets or radical change in business processes for production or distribution.

Growth Strategies. This involves significantly expanding a company's capacity to produce goods and services, expanding into global markets, diversifying into new products or services, or integrating into related products and services.

Alliance Strategies. This involves forming new business relationships or new ways of doing business with existing suppliers, customers, consultants, or even competitors. Such linkages may include mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, or "virtual companies" (the pooling of resources on a per project basis).

How can IT be used strategically?

Improving Business Processes. IT can help make a firm’s operational processes substantially more efficient and its managerial processes much more effective. Besides reducing costs, improvements to business processes can help improve quality and customer service, and promote development of innovative products.

Promote Business Innovation. IT can be used to develop unique products and services, or processes. This in turn can create new business opportunities and enable a firm to expand into new markets or into new segments of existing markets.

Locking in Customers and Suppliers. IT can also allow a business to lock in customers and suppliers by using technology to build valuable new relationships with them. This can deter both customers and suppliers from abandoning a firm for its competitors or convince a supplier or firm into accepting less-profitable relationships.

Creating Switching Costs. IT can be used to build switching costs into relationships between a firm and its customers or suppliers by providing mutually beneficial services that make it costly for a customer or firm to switch to a competitor.

Raising Barrier to Entry. By increasing the amount of investment or complexity of the technology required to compete in an industry, a firm can erect barriers that would discourage or delay other companies from entering a market.

Leveraging a Strategic IT Platform. Investing in IT enables a firm to build a strategic IT platform that allows it to take advantage of strategic opportunities and develop new products and services that would not be possible without strong IT capability.

Developing a Strategic Information Base. IT can allow firms to develop a strategic information base that can be used to support the firm’s competitive strategies.

The Value Chain Model can also be used to strategically position a company’s Internet-based applications to gain competitive advantage. The Internet Value Chain Model shown outlines several ways that a company’s Internet connections with its customers could provide business benefits and opportunities for competitive advantage. The model suggests that company-managed newsgroups and chat rooms can be used to support market research, product development and direct sales. Likewise a company’s Internet-enabled connection with its suppliers can be used to support online shipping and scheduling. Multimedia catalogs can also be used to support E-Commerce. All together the model indicates how Internet technologies might be applied to help a firm gain competitive advantage in the marketplace

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One of the most important competitive strategies today is business process reengineering (BPR) most often simply called reengineering. Reengineering is more than automating business processes to make modest improvements in the efficiency of business operations. Reengineering is a fundamental rethinking and radical redesign of business processes to achieve dramatic improvements in cost, quality, speed, and service. BPR combines a strategy of promoting business innovation with a strategy of making major improvements to business processes so that a company can become a much stronger and more successful competitor in the marketplace.

However, while many companies have reported impressive gains, many others have failed to achieve the major improvements they sought through reengineering projects.

Business quality improvement is a less dramatic approach to enhancing business success. One important strategic thrust in this area is called Total Quality Management (TQM). TQM emphasizes quality improvement that focuses on the customer requirements and expectations of products and services. This may involve many features and attributes, such as performance, reliability, durability, responsiveness etc.

TQM uses a variety of tools and methods to provide:

• More appealing, less-variable quality of products or services
• Quicker less-variable turnaround from design to production and distribution
• Greater flexibility in adjusting to customer buying habits and preferences
• Lower costs through rework reductions, and non-value-adding waste elimination.

Knowledge Management has become one of the major strategic uses of information technology. Knowledge Management Systems (KMS) are systems that are used to manage organizational learning and business know-how. The goal of knowledge management systems is to help knowledge workers create, organize, and make available important business knowledge, whenever, and wherever its needed.

Such knowledge may include explicit knowledge like reference works, formulas, and processes, or tacit knowledge like "best practices", and fixes. Internet and intranet technologies, along with such other technologies like GroupWare, data mining, and online discussion groups are used by KMS to collect, edit, evaluate and disseminate knowledge within the organization.

Knowledge management systems are sometimes called adaptive learning systems, because they create cycles of organizational learning called adaptive learning loops, which allow the knowledge company to continually build and integrate knowledge into business processes, products, and services. Thereby, helping the company to become a more innovative, agile provider of goods and services.

Sustained success in using information technology strategically depends upon three sets of factors:

The Environment. A major factor of the environment is the structure of the industry. Competitive restrictions and unique situations are environmental factors that involve political and regulatory restrictions all the way to wide-open competition.

Foundation Factors. Unique industry position, alliances, assets, technological resources, and expertise are foundation factors that can give a company a competitive edge in a market.

Management Actions and Strategies. Management alone is responsible for the successful development and implementation of plans. It must have the vision and planning abilities necessary to adapt information technology to the specific needs of the company in its particular situation.

• Information systems can play several strategic roles in business.
• The Internet, intranets, extranets, and other Internet-based technologies can be used strategically for E-Business and E-Commerce.
• A key strategic use of Internet technologies is to build an E-Business which develops its business value by making customer value its strategic focus.
• IT is a key ingredient in reengineering business operations, by enabling radical changes to business processes that dramatically improve their efficiency and effectiveness.
• IT can be strategically used to improve the quality of business performance.
• A business can use IT to help it become an agile company, that can respond quickly to changes in its environment.
• Forming virtual companies has become an important competitive strategy in today’s dynamic global market.
• Lasting competitive advantages today can only come from innovative use and management of organizational knowledge by knowledge creating companies and learning organizations.
• Successful strategic information systems are not easy to develop and implement. They may require major change in how businesses operate.

CHAPTER #3

Traditional categories of computer systems are rapidly diminishing as new technologies begin to merge the major characteristics of computer systems. However, within these parameters, the following are generally true:

Microcomputers. These are the smallest computer systems, ranging in size from handheld personal digital assistants (PDAs) to laptops to desktop personal computers and workstations. Most microcomputers are designed for single-user application but can be linked via telecommunications to network servers.

Midrange. Midrange or minicomputers are larger and more powerful that most microcomputers but smaller and less powerful than most large mainframes. Midrange systems are often used in business and scientific research. They are especially well suited for specialized tasks, usually so as to dedicate computing power to a specific function (such as backroom order processing) without having to share time on an organization's larger mainframe. Of course, many small and medium-sized organizations use such computers for their whole operations.

Mainframes. These are large, powerful computers (often filling an entire room) with very large primary storage capacities (from 64 megabytes to several gigabytes of RAM). This feature helps mainframes process information very quickly (at 10 to 200 millions of instructions per second - MIPS).

Lets take a moment to examine these categories of computer systems.

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Microcomputers are the most important category of computer system for business people and consumer. They range in sizes, features, and functions.

Handheld PCs. These range from personal digital assistants (PDAs) to a host of other devices known as information appliances.

Notebook computers. Are small portable computers that support mobile workers.

Desktop Computers. Are designed to fit on an office desk and are used to support a wide range of activities for both work and home. They range in speed and size from 300-600MHz and all-in-one units, to free standing tower units.

Workstations. Are more powerful desktops that are used to support applications with heavy mathematical computing, and graphical display demands. Consequently they are used to support such applications as computer aided design (CAD), and multimedia application development.

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A typical computer system has the following components:

Input. The input devices of a computer system include keyboards, touch screens, pens, electronic "mice," optical scanners, and other peripheral hardware components that convert data into electronic machine-readable form. Input may be direct entry (by the end user) or through telecommunications links.

Processing. The central processing unit (CPU) is the main processing component of a computer system. The CPU is divided into two major components: the arithmetic-logic unit (ALU), which performs the arithmetic and logic functions required in computer processing, and the control unit, which interprets computer program instructions and transmits directions to the other components of the computer system. The CPU also contains circuitry for devices such as registers and cache memory, used for high speed temporary storage of data and instructions.

Output. Output devices convert the electronic information produced by the computer system (binary or digital information) into human-intelligible form for presentation to end users. Output devices include video display units, printers, audio response units, and other peripheral hardware components specialized in this function.

Storage. Storage devices store data and program instructions needed for processing. A computer's primary storage or memory is used to hold key information needed to run the computer while secondary storage (such as magnetic disks and tape units) hold larger parts of programs used less frequently and the content files created by end users.

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This figure emphasizes that there has been a major trend toward the increased use of input technologies that provide a more natural user interface for computer users. You can now enter data and commands directly and easily into a computer system through pointing devices like electronic mice and touch pads, and technologies like optical scanning, handwriting recognition, and voice recognition. These developments have made it unnecessary to always record data on paper source documents (such as sales order forms, for example), and then keyboard the data into a computer in an additional data entry step. Further improvements in voice recognition and other technologies should enable an even more natural user interface in

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This figure shows you the trends in output media and methods that have developed over the generations of computing. As you can see, video displays and printed documents have been, and still are, the most common forms of output from computer systems. But other natural and attractive output technologies such as voice response systems and multimedia output are increasingly found along with video displays in business applications.

For example, you have probably experienced the voice and audio output generated by speech and audio microprocessors in a variety of consumer products. Voice messaging software enables PCs and servers in voice mail and messaging systems to interact with you through voice responses. And of course, multimedia output is common on web sites of the Internet and corporate intranets.

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Computers provide information to users in a variety of forms.

Video displays. Is the most common form of computer output. Most desktop computers use a cathode ray tube (CRT) video display. Another type of display is called liquid crystal display (LCD). These are used mostly in portable and handheld computers, although LCD for PC desktops is growing in popularity. LCDs require less electricity and provide a thin flat display.

Printed Output. Printed output is the next most popular form of computer output. Most personal computers rely on either inkjet printers or laser printers.

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Data and information must be stored until needed using a variety of storage methods. For example, many people and organizations still rely on paper documents stored in filing cabinets as a major form of storage media. However, you and other computer users are more likely to depend on the memory circuits and secondary storage devices of computer systems to meet your storage requirements.

Figure 3.26 illustrates major trends in primary and secondary storage methods. Progress in very-large-scale integration (VLSI), which packs millions of memory circuit elements on tiny semiconductor memory chips, is responsible for continuing increases in the main-memory capacity of computers. Secondary storage capacities are also expected to escalate into the billions and trillions of characters, due primarily to the use of optical media.

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SUMMARY

• A computer system is a system of information processing components that perform input, processing, output, storage and control functions.
• The hardware components in a computer include input and output devices, a central processing unit (CPU), and primary and secondary storage.
• There are three major categories of computers: microcomputers, midrange computers and mainframe computers

• Microcomputers are used as personal computers, but are also interconnected in a variety of telecommunications networks.
• Midrange computers are increasingly being used as powerful network servers and for many multi-user business data processing and scientific applications.
• Mainframe computers are larger and more powerful and are used to handle information processing needs for large organizations .
• Peripheral devices used for input and output come in a variety shape and sizes. Future trends are towards devices that communicate naturally and are quick and easier to use.

CHAPTER #4

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The figure on the slide emphasizes the following two major software trends important to managerial end users:

From Custom-Designed to Off-the-Shelf. There is a trend away from custom-designed one-of-a-kind programs developed by professional programmers toward the use of off-the-shelf packages acquired by end users from software vendors. This trend makes it possible for end users to develop information products quickly and inexpensively and to adapt the program to make new information products without having to re-write the program itself.

From Machine-Specific to Procedural Languages. Another trend is away from technical, machine-specific programming languages that use binary-based or symbolic codes or procedural languages toward the use of nonprocedural, natural languages that are closer to human speech. These fourth-generation languages often make use of graphical user interfaces that make development of software applications easier for non-technical end users. Some software includes expert-assisted intelligent help features, sometimes called wizards, that question the user on a few custom features of the information product she or he wants to make and then automates the rest of the process on the basis of those answers.

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Let’s take a moment to examine a couple of other important types of application software in some more detail.

Web Browser: The most important software component for many computer users today is the powerful and feature-rich web browser. A browser is a key software interface you use to point and click your way through the hyperlinked resources of the World Wide Web and the rest of the Internet, as well as corporate intranets and extranets. Two popular browsers include: Netscape Navigator, Microsoft Explorer.

Web Browser as the Universal Client: Industry experts are predicting that the web browser will be the model for how most people will use networked computers into the next century. Browsers are being called the universal client, that is, the software component installed on the workstation of all the clients (users) in client/server networks throughout an enterprise.

Web browsers have evolved into suites of communication and collaboration software including: discussion forums, databases, audio and data conferencing, chat, Internet telephone, group scheduling, calendaring, and web page editor.

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Database and graphics programs are also increasingly common in the business environment. Together with word processing and spreadsheet programs, they are often combined in integrated software packages designed to work together as an "Office Suite."

Database Management Programs. These packages allow end users to set up database files and records on their personal computers. Most DBMS packages perform four primary tasks:

• Database Development. This defines and organizes the content, relationships, and structure of the data needed to build a database.
• Database Interrogation. This provides access to the data for information retrieval and report generation.
• Database Maintenance. This gives users the ability to add, delete, update, correct, and protect that data in the database.

Application Development. This allows users to develop prototypes of data entry screens, queries, forms, reports, and labels for a proposed application.

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Business Enterprise Application Software are application packages that support managerial decision making and operational users. Such applications include these shown. Most of these will be discussed in more detail in later chapters.

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP). Uses integrated cross-functional software to reengineer, integrate, and automate the basic business processes of a company to improve its efficiency, agility, and profitability.

Customer Relationship Management (CRM). These systems consist of a family of software modules that perform the business activities involved in such ‘front office’ processes like customer sales, marketing, and service. These tools enable companies to identify, target, and retain their best customers.

Human Resource Management. These are information systems that support human resource management activities such as recruitment, selection and hiring, job placement, performance appraisals and training and development.

Accounting and Financial Management. These are information systems that record and report business transactions, the flow of funds through an organization, and produce financial statements. Thus, these systems provide information for the planning and control of business operations, as well as for legal and historical record keeping.

Supply Chain Management. A supply chain is the network of business processes and interrelationships among businesses that are needed to build, sell, and deliver a product to its final customer. Supply Chain Management applications integrate management practices and IT to optimize information and product flows among these processes and partners.

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, A programming language allows a programmer or end user to develop the set of instructions that constitute a computer program. Each programming language has its own unique vocabulary, grammar, and uses. The major categories of programming languages are identified on the slide and described below:

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Programming packages help programmers develop computer programs. These include:

Language Translator Programs. These translate a set of instructions into the computer’s own machine language. Typical language translator programs include:

• Assembler. An assembler translates the symbolic instruction codes of programs written in an assembler language into machine language.
• Compiler. A compiler translates high-level language statements.
• Interpreter. An interpreter is a special kind of compiler that translates and executes each program statement one at a time.
• Programming Tools. Common programming tools include graphics-oriented editors and debuggers to help identify and avoid errors while programming.

SUMMARY

• Computer software consists of two major types of programs: application software that directs the performance of a particular end user task, and system software that controls and supports the operations of a computer system.

To understand databases, it is useful to remember that the elements of data that make up the database are divided into hierarchical levels. These logical data elements make up the foundation data concepts upon which a database is built.

Character. The most basic logical element is the character, which consists of a single alphabetic, numeric, or other symbol. While it may take several bits or bytes to represent a character digitally, remember that these refer to physical storage, not the logical concept of the character itself.

Field. A field is a grouping of characters that represent a characteristic of a person, place, thing, or event. A person's name is typically placed in a field. A field is a data item. A data field represents an attribute or some entity.

Record. A record is a collection of interrelated fields. For example, an employee's payroll record usually contains several fields, such as their name, social security number, department, and salary. Records may be fixed-length or variable-length.

File. A file is a collection of interrelated records. For example, a payroll file might contain all of the payroll files for all the employees of a firm. Files are usually classified by the application for which they are used.

Database. A database is an integrated collection of logically interrelated records or files. For example, the personnel database of a firm might contain payroll, personnel action, and employee skills files. The data stored in a database is independent of the application programs using it and of the type of secondary storage devices on which it is stored.

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A data warehouse stores data that has been extracted from various operational, external, and other databases within the organization.

To create a data warehouse, data from various databases are captured, cleaned, e.g. sorted, filtered, converted, and transformed into data that can be better used for analysis. The data is then stored in the enterprise data warehouse, from where it can be moved into data marts or to an analytical data store that holds data to support certain types of analysis.

Metadata, that defines the data in the data warehouse, is stored in a Metadata Directory that is used to support data administration. A variety of analytical software tools can then be used to query, report, and analyze data.

One such means for analyzing data in a data warehouse is called data mining.

In data mining, the data in a data warehouse are analyzed to reveal hidden patterns and trends in historical business activity. This can help managers make decisions about strategic changes in business operations.

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The rapid growth of websites on the Internet and corporate intranets and extranets has dramatically increased the use of databases of hypertext and hypermedia documents.

Hypermedia Database: A website stores information in a hypermedia database consisting of a home page and other hyperlinked pages of multimedia or mixed media (text, graphics and photographic images, video clips, audio segments, and so on).

Browser: A web browser on your client PC is used to connect with a web network server. This server runs web software to access and transfer the web pages you request.

Web Site: A website uses a hypermedia database consisting of HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) pages, GIF (graphics image files) files, and video files.

Web Server Software: Acts as a database management system to manage the use of the interrelated hypermedia pages of the website.

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The security and integrity of an organization's databases are the major concerns of the data resource management efforts. Key activities of data resource management include:

Database Administration. This area is responsible for developing and maintaining the organization's data dictionary, as well as designing and monitoring the performance of databases, and enforcing the standards for database use and security.

Data Planning. Data planning is a corporate planning and analysis function responsible for the overall data architecture for the firm. This role ensures that data resources are developed to support the firm's strategic mission and plans.

Data Administration. This area involves the establishment and enforcement of policies and procedures for managing data as a strategic corporate resource. This means standardizing data so that it is available to all end users from whatever database they are working.

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The relationships among the records stored in databases are based upon one of several logical database structures or models. These fundamental database structures are described below.

Hierarchical Structure. Under this tree-like structure, each data element is related only to one element above it, a so-called one-to-many relationship. All records are dependent and arranged in multilevel structures.

Network Structure. This structure features a many-to-many arrangement whereby the DBMS can access a data element by following one of several paths.

Relational Structure. This model has become the most popular structure and is used by most microcomputers. All data elements within the database are viewed as being stored in the form of simple tables. The DBMS can link data elements from various tables to provide information to end users.

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Object-Oriented Structure. Objects consist of data values describing the attributes of an entity and the operations that can be performed on the data. This is called encapsulation and allows object-oriented database structures to better handle complex types of data such as video and audio. The object-oriented model also supports inheritance, allowing new objects to replicate some or all the characteristics of one or more parent objects, as shown in the slide. Such capabilities allow developers to copy and combine objects, allowing for very rapid development of new database solutions.

Multidimensional Structure. This structure uses cells within a multidimensional framework to aggregate data related to elements within a given dimension. Each cell combines with similar cells to form a coherent "cube" of information and data, which in turn is combined with other cubes to form dimensions. As a result they are both compact and easy to understand. Multidimensional structures have fast become the most popular database structure for analytical databases that support online analytical processing (OLAP) applications.

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Efficient access to data is the critical necessity of an effective database system. Key concepts and terms associated with file access include:

Key Fields. This is a unique identifier of the data record.

URLs. The files and databases on the Internet and corporate intranets and extranets use URLs (Uniform Resource Locators) for data access. Thus, pages of hyperlinked text and multimedia documents on the Web and intranet/extranet websites are accessed by URLs.

Sequential Organization. This refers to a structure in which the records are physically stored in a specified order according to a key field in each record.

Sequential Access. This refers to the predetermined order of processing data. Each record is accessed according to the same set of commands. Access begins at the start of the file or record and proceeds, in order, to the end. This is a fast and efficient method for processing large volumes of data.

Direct Access. Under this method, records do not have to be arranged into any particular sequence on storage media, however the computer must keep track of the storage location of each record.

Key Transformation. This common direct access technique performs an arithmetic computation on a key field or record and uses the number that results as an address to store and access that record.

Indexed Sequential Access Method. This approach combines features of both sequential and direct access. Sequential storage allows for large volume processing while indexed addressing allows direct access of smaller amounts of data from individual records.

SLIDE 10

Database planning, beyond that of a personal or small business end user database created by a database management package, typically requires use of a top-down data planning process based upon the systems development model covered earlier:

1. Data Planning. At this stage, planners develop a model of business processes. This results in an enterprise model of business processes with documentation.

2. Requirements Specification. This stage defines the information needs of end users in a business process. Description of needs may be provided in natural language or using the tools of a particular design methodology.

3. Conceptual Design. This stage expresses all information requirements in the form of a high-level model.

4. Logical Design. This stage translates the conceptual model into the data model of a DBMS.

5. Physical Design. This stage determines the data storage structures and access methods.

SUMMARY

• Data resource management is a critical management activity. Management roles include database administration, data planning, and data administration.

CHAPTER #6

Telecommunications networks are a vital part of today’s E-Business. Telecommunications is the exchange of information in any form from one place to another using electronic or light-emitting media, over computer-based networks.

Major trends occurring in the field of telecommunications have a significant impact on management decisions in this area. Key trends include:

• Industry Trends. The key trend in this area is a move away from a few, large, regulated monopolies as suppliers move toward an industry structure with many suppliers in fierce competition for new customers with new products and innovative services.
• Technology Trends. Toward extensive use of Internet, digital fiber optics, and wireless technologies to create high-speed interconnected local and global digital networks, to support multimedia transmission. Another major technology trend is the advent of open systems -- information systems that use common standards for hardware, software, applications, and networking, which support greater connectivity and network interoperability.
• Application Trends. Technology and industry trends are towards the pervasive use of the Internet and enterprise intranets and interorganizational extranets to support electronic commerce, enterprise collaboration, online business operations and strategic advantage in local and global markets.

SLIDE 2

As shown in the slide there are four strategic capabilities of telecommunications and other information technologies.

For example, traveling salespeople and those at regional sales offices can use the Internet, extranets, and other networks to transmit customer orders from their laptop or desktop PCs, thus breaking geographic barriers. Point-of-sale terminals and an online sales transaction-processing network can break time barriers by supporting immediate credit authorization and sales processing.

Teleconferencing can be used to overcome cost barriers by reducing the need for expensive business trips since it allows customers, suppliers, and employees to participate in meetings and collaborate on joint projects.

Finally, electronic data interchange systems are used by the business to overcome structural barriers by establishing strategic relationships with their customers and suppliers by making the exchange of electronic business documents fast, convenient, and tailored to the needs of the business partners involved.

SLIDE 3

The Internet is the largest "network of networks" and the closest model of the information superhighway to come.

Nature of the Internet. The Internet developed from a US Defense Department network called ARPANET, established in 1969. One of the extraordinary features of the Net is its decentralized nature. No one "runs" the Net; it is not controlled either from a central headquarters nor governed by a single business or government agency.

Internet Applications:

E-Mail. Allows users to send and receive electronic messages.

Discussions Forums and Chat Rooms. Allow users worldwide to participate in special interest forums formed by newsgroups and businesses alike. Allows you to read and respond to other messages in real-time.

Information Retrieval. Internet browsers like Netscape and Internet Explorer allow the user to surf the Web through hyperlinked web pages. Search Engines allow users to access software and information on thousands of databases. The file transfer protocol (FTP) allows users to download a wealth of multimedia information.

Telnet. Allows users to access and use remote computer systems around the world.

Business Use of the Internet. By 1995, over 1.5 million host networks on the Internet belonged to businesses. Businesses on the Internet are there in part to take advantage of the easy, worldwide communications available through E-mail and file transfer protocols (FTPs). But business is also on the Net to help shape the network as a channel for conducting business transactions -- buying and selling goods and services in cyberspace to distant customers linked by computers and modems.

SLIDE 4

Like any communications model, a telecommunications network connects a sender to a receiver over a channel for sharing messages. The basic components of a telecommunications network are:

Terminals. These are networked microcomputer workstations or video input/output stations that provide the sending and receiving endpoints for the network.

Telecommunications Processors. These are specialized hardware components that support data transmission and reception between terminals and computers. Examples include modems, routers, and switches.

Telecommunications Channels and Media. A channel connects two or more parties in a network. Media are the particular way a channel is connected. Telecommunications channels use combinations of media such as copper wires, coaxial cables, fiber optic cables, and microwave carriers to transmit information.

Computers. All sizes and types of computers can and are connected to telecommunications networks. Typical arrangements include using a mainframe as a host for the network, a minicomputer as a front-end processor, with a dedicated microcomputer as a network server to a smaller local group of networked microcomputer workstations.

Telecommunications Control Software. Consists of programs that control telecommunications activities and manage the functions of telecommunications networks. Examples include network operating systems, browsers and telecommunications monitors.

SLIDE 5

Telecommunications networks covering a large geographic area are called wide area networks (WANs). Networks that cover a large city or metropolitan area (metropolitan area networks or MANs) can also be included in this category. Such large networks have become a necessity for carrying out the day-to-day activities of many business and government organizations and their end users. For example: WANs are used by many multinational companies to transmit and receive information among their employees, customers, suppliers, and other organizations across cities, regions, countries, and the world.

SLIDE 6

Local Area Networks (LANs) connect computers and other information processing devices within a limited physical area, such as an office, a building, or work site. LANs use a variety of telecommunications media.

Key concepts and components of LANs include:

Telecommunications Media. Includes twisted-pair wire, coaxial cable, fiber optics, terrestrial microwave, communications satellites, cellular radio, and wireless radio systems.

Network Interface Card. PCs on a network must have a circuit board installed to handle the network interface. This is the typical way of expanding PC capability.

Network Server. As mentioned earlier, this is a dedicated PC with a large hard disk capacity for secondary storage. Many servers also have more RAM than the individual workstations on the network.

Network Operating System. The network operating system controls the interface between users and machine hardware as well as the telecommunications peripherals linking them.

Internetwork Processors. Most LANs are connected via telecommunications to other networks, which might be other LANs, wide area networks (WANs), mainframes, or very large networks like the Internet. Interconnected telecommunications networks rely on internetwork processors, such as switches, routers, hubs, or gateways to make internetworking connections to other networks.

SLIDE 7

Intranets. Are secure internal networks whose web browsing software provides easy point-and-click access to end users, enabling them to access multimedia and other information on internal websites. A company, its business units, departments, and workgroups may establish intranet websites on internal web servers. Security devices and software like fire walls control access to the intranet. One of the attractions of corporate intranets is that their Internet-like technology makes them more adaptable, as well as easier and cheaper to develop and use than either traditional client/server systems or mainframe legacy systems.

Extranets. Networks that link some of the intranet’s resources of a company with other organizations and individuals. They enable customers, suppliers, subcontractors, consultants, and others to access selected intranet websites and other company databases. Organizations can establish private extranets, or use the Internet as part of the network connection between them.

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). Many organizations use VPNs to establish secure intranets and extranets. A VPN is a secure network that uses the Internet as its main backbone network, but relies on fire walls and other security features. This allows a company to use the Internet to establish secure intranets with remote branch offices and secure extranets between itself and business partners and customers. It can also be used to allow employees to access the companies Intranet from home.

SLIDE 8

Client/Server Networks. Are the predominant information architectures used in business today. In a client/server network, the end user PC is the client. These are interconnected by local area networks, and share application processing with network servers. Sometimes called a two-tier client/server architecture. Local area networks can also be interconnected with other networks, including host systems and superservers.

Client/server architectures are seen as more economical and flexible than legacy mainframe systems. However, they experience more downtime and cannot process data in the quantity or with the dependability of the legacy systems.

Network Computing Networks. Network computers and other thin clients provide a browser-based user interface for processing small application programs called applets. Application and database servers provide almost all the software needed by end users. This includes the operating system, application software, applets, databases, and database management systems. This architecture is sometimes called a three-tier client/server model.

SLIDE 9

Telecommunications channels make use of a wide variety of media. Some major types of telecommunications media include:

Twisted-Pair Wire. This is the traditional phone line used throughout the world. It is the most widely distributed telecommunications media but is limited in the amount of data and speed of transmission.

Coaxial Cable. This is a sturdy copper or aluminum wire wrapped in spacers to insulate and protect it. Coaxial cable can carry more information and at higher speeds than twisted-pair wires. It also is a higher-quality carrier, with little interference.

Fiber Optics. These are hair-thin glass filaments spun into wires and wrapped in a protective jacket. Fiber optics transmit light pulses as carriers of information and so are extremely fast and produce no electromagnetic radiation. This makes them extremely reliable channels, although splicing cables for connections is difficult.

Terrestrial Microwave. Earthbound microwave radiation transmits high-speed radio signals in line-of-sight paths between relay stations..

Communications Satellites. Satellites in geosynchronous orbit are used to transmit microwave signals to any place on earth using dish antennas for sending and receiving.

Cellular and PCS Systems. Low power transmitters on each cell of the system allow users to take advantage of several frequencies for communications. Newer Personal Communication Services (PCS) use digital technologies that provide greater capacity, security, and additional services like voice mail and paging. The growth in web-enabled information appliances has sparked the interest in developing a wireless application protocol (WAP). This standard will also allow these devices access to the Web.

Wireless LANs. Using radio or infrared transmission, some LANs are completely wireless, thus eliminating the cost of installing wire in existing structures.

SLIDE 10

SUMMARY

• Organizations are becoming internetworked enterprises that use the Internet, intranets, and other telecommunications networks to support E-Business.
• Telecommunications has entered a deregulated and fiercely competitive environment with many vendors, carriers, and services