Managing Information and Technology: Finding New Ways to Learn and Link

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2 Managing Information and Technology: Finding New Ways to Learn and Link What are the basic elements and key trends of computer technology? What is cloud computing and why is it popular? How does data become information and how do decisions support systems provide information for decision-making? How have Internet-based technologies changed business-toconsumer and business-to-business commerce? What are the problems posed by rapid changes in Internetbased technologies? 2

3 Information Technology: Explosive Change Computers and communications hardware and software have changed dramatically over the past few decades. Flash memory devices are as small as a stamp and can store sixteen gigabytes of data. More than three thousand times data that could be stored in a 1950 disk array. Today s basic calculator or cell phone has more processing power than early mega computers. 3

4 Hardware and Software Hardware the physical components used to collect, store, organize, and process data Software refers to computer programs that provide instruction for a computer to perform a task System Software performs the critical functions necessary to operate the computer at the most basic level 4

5 Application Software Horizontal Market Software applies broadly across markets or industries Vertical Market Software specialized applications for a specific industry 5

6 Networks Networks link computer resources using wired or wireless connections. The Internet computer network; network of networks World Wide Web interlinked hypertext documents Intranets Extranets 6

7 The Internet and the World Wide Web Greatest networking stories of the last two decades A network of networks Availability of broadband has fueled the popularity of the Web In 2008, 55% of all U.S. households had a broadband connection up 47% in 2007 Internet 2 (speed) is capable of transmitting five feature-length DVD movies from one location 7

8 Intranets and Extranets Intranet is a network that has the same look and feel as the Internet but is limited to a single firm s internal Web servers. Extranets are open intranets that provide limited access to certain group of stakeholders, such as key customers and suppliers. 8

9 The Role of the IT Department The role of the department differs for every company: Strategic making key decisions about technologies Operational departments make decisions that functional groups support 9

10 Cloud Computing: The Sky s the Limit! Cloud computing is moving software beyond the organization s firewall Examples include Flickr, Shutterfly, Google Apps Businesses have been reluctant to embrace cloud computing because of security, reliability and control But, cloud computing have proven advantages: Financial benefit Flexibility Encourage collaboration Processing Speed 10

11 Information Technology and Decision Making: A Crucial Aid Managers need information to make good decisions Data are facts and figures that a firm collects Information is data that is processed, organized and presented in a valuable form Databases store files in a logical system 11

12 Characteristics of Good Information Accurate Relevant Timely Understandable Secure 12

13 Using Information Technology to Improve Decision-Making Decision support systems provide access to data and the processing power to convert the data into information. Data Mining: Use sophisticated statistical methods to analyze data Discover relationships that had previously been hidden 13

14 Expert Systems Guide decision makers Integrate knowledge of experts Diverse types of systems available Individual systems deal with narrow set of issues Can be time-consuming to program 14

15 Information Technology and the World of E-commerce E-commerce using the Internet to facilitate the exchange of goods and services Business -to-consumer (B2C) businesses and final consumers interact Business -to-business (B2B) businesses buy from and sell to other businesses 15

16 Key Differences Between B2C and B2B E-Commerce 16

17 Using Information Technology in the B2C Market Web 2.0 Advertising on the Internet Viral Marketing Handling Payments Electronically Cybermediary Electronic Bill Presentation and Payment 17

18 Using Information Technology in the B2B Market Reduce time, effort and cost of doing business for buyers and sellers Reduced technology costs Large pool of buyers and sellers for negotiations Value-added services Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) has become a useful technology for supply chain management. The microchips store and transmit information. 18

19 Challenges and Concerns Arising from New Technologies Spyware Computer Viruses Spam Phishing Pharming 19

20 Hackers: Break-ins in Cyberspace Skilled computer users who can access unauthorized information Some hackers (black hat hackers) intend harm Cyberterrorists are motivated by political or ideological beliefs Cyberterrorists launch attacks on key industries Firewalls use hardware or software (sometimes both) to create a barrier that prevents unwanted messages or instructions from entering a computer system. 20

21 Strong Passwords Relatively long (at least seven characters) Include numbers and special characters Consists of lower and uppercase characters Does not include the user s real name or a common word Differs significantly from other passwords 21

22 Ethical and Legal Issues Personal Privacy Does the fact that companies know so much about you make you nervous? Does it bother you that your messages are not confidential? Legal opinions about are still evolving Intellectual Property Product produced from intellectual efforts: things protected by copyright law Music and software piracy are growing issues 22

23 Looking Back What are the basic elements and key trends of computer technology? What is cloud computing and why is it popular? How does data become information and how do decisions support systems provide information for decision-making? How have Internet-based technologies changed business-toconsumer and business-to-business commerce? What are the problems posed by rapid changes in Internetbased technologies? 23