Week 3 Discussion Management of Information Systems

Week 3 Lecture 1 - Business Software

 

Management of Information Systems

Business Software

What should drive an IT infrastructure decision?

Ideally, the software would be selected first and then the hardware to host it. Most companies already possess some hardware that can limit the available options when selecting software. Determining which software or system approach that will fulfill the organization’s business functions is a key IT infrastructure decision. The value returned by software to an organization increases efficiency or competitive advantage. Software should return value to organizations, suppliers, customers, employees, and all stakeholders. Software functionality and the core value propositions (creating opportunities, increasing efficiency, gaining competitive advantage, or business problems solving) must be evaluated and analyzed when selecting software.

Operating systems and application software:

Common software applications are spreadsheet programs, and word processors. Other applications that may not be so familiar are analytics, survey, mapping applications, and web page or blog builders. Developers design applications’ interfaces. Operating systems also have an interface. Application interfaces are contained within the operating system interface.

Figure 4 Microsoft Edge browser application interface highlighted lime; the Windows 10 operating system interface highlighted magenta

Operating systems provide common interfaces to applications such as the close and resize boxes, scroll bars, and features for saving, cutting and pasting. Other layout features of applications come from their developers. Sometimes discerning systems software from application software can be difficult because operating systems are embedded with applications. A database management system, for instance, is application software that could easily be confused with system software.

The most important features of PC software.

PC software should be easy-to-understand, and contain intuitive icons. Icons reduce the time needed to learn to use software and make software more globally accessible because of the language independence of pictures. Metaphors can be used to indicate how to use interfaces. The Windows desktop, for instance, is a metaphor for a desktop containing items on which a person is currently working. Use of metaphors and intuitive icons increase productivity.

Week 3 Lecture 2 - Business Networks and Telecommunications

 

Management of Information Systems

Business Networks and Telecommunications

Over recent years, telecommunications has transformed how organizations conduct business. Mobile, wireless, and web-based technologies have enabled more strategic business management and increased the efficiency of resource management.

Over the last two decades, television, telephony and other forms of communication have been digitized. Voice over IP (VoIP) has become a popular method of communication. Increasingly, communication takes place over the Internet. Entire industries have been transformed by the increased speed of communication. Additionally, technology services, such as phone, audio, video, messaging and other services have converged and are accessible through a single mobile device. These services are available through various networks, landlines, cellular, satellite and the Internet. Businesses leverage their existing customer base to market new services.

Network and telecommunications technologies have had an enormous impact on globalization. Without these technologies, offshoring of services such as tax preparation, X-ray, and CAT scan interpretation, and customer support, to other countries, would not have been possible.

Week 3 Discussion

Management of Information Systems

Telecommuting

Suppose that you are a middle manager. Would you allow the people who report to you to telecommute? Why or why not?