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In order to run a successful business, today’s manager needs to combine business skills with an understanding of information systems and the opportunities and benefits that they bring to an organisation. Starting from basic concepts, this book provides a comprehensive and accessible guide to:
- understanding the technology of business information systems;
- choosing the right information system for an organisation;
- developing and managing an efficient business information system;
- employing information systems strategically to achieve organisational goals.
Taking a problem-solving approach, Business Information Systems looks at information systems theory within the context of the most recent business and technological advances. This thoroughly revised new edition has updated and expanded coverage of contemporary key topics such as:
- Web 2.0
- enterprise systems
- implementation and design of IS strategy
- outsourcing
Business Information Systems does not assume any prior knowledge of IS or ICT, and new concepts are simply defined. New business examples, case studies and web links are fully integrated throughout, illustrating the relevance and impact of information systems in today’s business environment. In addition there are a wealth of questions and exercises both in the book and online at www.pearsoned.co.uk/bis enabling students to test their understanding of key topics and issues.
This book is ideal for students on any courses related to business information systems or management information systems at undergraduate or postgraduate level.
Contents:
Preface
Guided tour
Plan of the book
About the authors
Acknowledgements
Publisher’s acknowledgements
Part 1 INTRODUCTION TO BUSINESS INFORMATION SYSTEMS
1 Basic concepts – understanding information
Links to other chapters
Learning outcomes / Management issues
Introduction
Data and information
Creating information
Qualities of information
Case study 1.1: Technology sponsors a complementary form of capitalism
The business environment
Managerial decision making
Case study 1.2: Dealing with the data deluge
Focus on knowledge management
Summary
Exercises
References / Further reading / Web links
2 Basic concepts – an introduction to business information systems
Links to other chapters
Learning outcomes / Management issues
Introduction
Introduction to systems
Different types of systems
Business information systems
Resources that support BIS
Categories of business information system
E-business systems
Enterprise systems
BIS and strategic advantage
Case study 2.1: PayPal eyes in-store retail customers
Mini case study: Capital One develops information leadership
Case study 2.2: Corporate IT falling short of potential
Summary
Exercises
References / Further reading / Web links
3 Hardware and software
Links to other chapters
Learning outcomes / Management issues
Introduction
Components of a computer system
Major categories of computers
Types of microcomputers
Input devices
Case study 3.1: Mainframes are thriving in a cloud world
Mini case study: Optical mark recognition
Case study 3.2: Hertz reaps virtualisation rewards
Case study 3.3: Business life – Rise of the paperless meeting
Case study 3.4: Cloud is silver lining for German online bank Fidor
Output devices
Focus on printers
Storage devices
Processors
Categories of software
Document production software
Graphics packages
Spreadsheets
Management applications of productivity software
Multimedia software
Software for using the Internet
Focus on software distribution models
Summary
Exercises
References / Further reading / Web links
4 Databases and business intelligence
Links to other chapters
Learning outcomes / Management issues
Introduction
Databases
Business intelligence
Data warehouses
Case study 4.1: Big data put under the spotlight as never before
Case study 4.2: Making business intelligence work
Business analytics
Case study 4.3: After 160 years, the value of maps is starting to be appreciated
Mini case study: How to get rid of ‘devil customers’
Mini case study: Using GIS to identify road traffic accident locations
Mini case study: Traders' tools turn tables on dodgy deals
Summary
Exercises
References / Further reading / Web links
5 Networks, telecommunications and the Internet
Links to other chapters
Learning outcomes / Management issues
Introduction
Computer networks
Network components
Network types
The Internet
Case study 5.1: Death of a matchmaker
Focus on how the Internet works – Internet standards
Focus on mobile or wireless access devices
Case Study 5.2: Americans turning off TV and on to digital devices
Focus on EDI
Focus on Voice over IP (VOIP)
Case study 5.3: Asian apps challenge Western dominance
Summary
Exercises
References / Further reading / Web links
6 Enterprise and functional BIS
Links to other chapters
Learning outcomes / Management issues
Introduction
Enterprise systems
Case study 6.1: ERP: A convincing case must be made before investment
Case study 6.2: Managing the supply chain
Mini case study: The supply chains that could bind unsuspecting managers
Operations information systems
Case study 6.3: Retail applications of TPS by Sainsbury’s
Management information systems
Departmental applications
Summary
Exercises
References / Further reading / Web links
Part 2 BUSINESS INFORMATION SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT
7 An introduction to acquiring and developing BIS
Links to other chapters
Learning outcomes / Management issues
Introduction
How and why are information systems acquired?
Software acquisition and the systems development lifecycle
Bespoke development
Case study 7.1: Lloyds Bank Insurance Services applies RAD
Case study 7.2: Use of waterfall v. agile methods at Mellon Financial
Purchase of an off-the-shelf package
User development software
Case study 7.3: Lascelles Fine Foods
Summary
Exercises
References / Further reading / Web links
8 Initiating systems development
Links to other chapters
Learning outcomes / Management issues
Introduction
Reasons for project initiation
The feasibility study
Risk management
Case study 8.1: Recession reveals the dark side of advanced IT
Acquisition choices and methods
Focus on techniques for comparing systems
Mini case study: Feature checklist for comparing three different groupwave products
Case study 8.2: Sedgemoor District Council
Summary
Exercises
References / Further reading / Web links
9 BIS project management
Links to other chapters
Learning outcomes / Management issues
Introduction
Case study 9.1: Putting an all-inclusive price tag on successful IT
The project management process
Mini case study: The key to ... project planning
Case study 9.2: Project management: Lessons can be learned from successful delivery
Steps in project management
Focus on a project management methodology: PRINCE2
A project management tool: network analysis
Summary
Exercises
References / Further reading / Web links
10 Systems analysis
Links to other chapters
Learning outcomes / Management issues
Introduction
Identifying the requirements
Focus on requirements determination in a lean or agile environment
Documenting the findings
Case study 10.1: IFD drawing – a student records system
Focus on soft systems methodology
Systems analysis – an evaluation
Software tools for systems analysis
Case study 10.2: ABC case study
Summary
Exercises
References / Further reading / Web links
11 Systems design
Links to other chapters
Learning outcomes / Management issues
Introduction
Aims of system design
Case study 11.1: Beaverbrooks the Jewellers
Constraints on system design
The relationship between analysis and design
Elements of design
System or outline design
Case study 11.2: Systems management: driving innovation should be the main objective
Detailed design (module design)
Focus on relational database design and normalisation
Design of input and output
User interface design
Focus on web site design for B2C e-commerce
Input design
Output design
Designing interfaces between systems
Defining the structure of program modules
Security design
Design tools: CASE (computer-aided software engineering) tools
Error handling and exceptions
Help and documentation
Focus on: object-oriented design (OOD)
Summary
Exercises
References / Further reading / Web links
12 System build, implementation and maintenance: change management
Links to other chapters
Learning outcomes / Management issues
Introduction
System build and implementation
Mini case study: Jim Goodnight: crunching the numbers
Maintenance
Change management
Case study 12.1: Applying performance goals to business-process management drives growth and innovation
Case study 12.2: Play pick-and-mix to innovate with SOA
Summary
Exercises
References / Further reading / Web links
Part 3 BUSINESS INFORMATION SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT
13 Information systems strategy
Links to other chapters
Learning outcomes / Management issues
Introduction
The strategic context
Introduction to BIS strategy
Case Study 13.1: Which cloud model will prevail?
Tools for strategic analysis and definition
IS and business strategy integration
Focus on IS/IT and SMEs
Case Study 13.2: Next generation of clients forces pace of IT change
Summary
Exercises
References / Further reading / Web links
14 Information systems management
Links to other chapters
Learning outcomes / Management issues
Introduction
Information systems investment appraisal
Determining investment levels for information systems in an organisation
Locating the information systems management function
Outsourcing
Mini case study: Customers admit blame for outsourcing failures
Case study 14.1: Outsourcing: beware false economies
Beyond strategic information systems – the importance of IS capability
Focus on IT infrastructure flexibility
Pulling it all together: IT governance and COBIT
Case study 14.2: IT trends shape future corporate strategies
Summary
Exercises
References / Further reading / Web links
15 Managing information security
Links to other chapters
Learning outcomes / Management issues
Introduction
The need for controls
Mini case study: Complacent staff weak link in combating cyber criminals
Case study 15.1: Online cybercrime rings forced to home in on smaller prey
Control strategies
Types of controls
Some techniques for controlling information systems
Focus on malware
Case study 15.2: Cybercrime costs US $100bn a year
Threats related to Internet services
Summary
Exercises
References / Further reading / Web links
16 End-user computing – providing end-user services
Links to other chapters
Learning outcomes / Management issues
Introduction
End-user IS services
Managing network services
Mini case study: Cyberslacking: employees surf non-work-related web sites
End-user computing
The IT help desk
Mini case study: A snapshot of the role of the IT help desk in the modern organisation
Case study 16.1: The 21st-century help desk
End-user development
Managing EUC as part of IS strategy
Case study 16.2: Time to call the help desk?
Summary
Exercises
References / Further reading / Web links
17 Ethical, legal and moral constraints on information systems
Links to other chapters
Learning outcomes / Management issues
Introduction
Professionalism, ethics and morality
Codes of conduct
Social issues
Case study 17.1: Small mistakes attract the biggest trouble
Legal issues
Case study 17.2: Sony fined after lapses at games network
Focus on software piracy
Mini case study: Pirate Bay hacker jailed for two years
Summary
Exercises
References / Further reading / Web links
Glossary
Index
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