Page 636 - Introduction to Business

610 PART 6 Managing Business Operations, Management Information Systems, and the Digital Enterprise

documenting the program. Systems analysts may be involved in both
hardware and software design.
Networking Specialist. Technology has allowed for new ways to communi-
cate and to share information that is stored within different computer sys-
tems. A networking specialist develops the tools necessary to create and
maintain this communication. These individuals are responsible for hard-
ware and software design used to create tools such as local area networks
or wide area networks.
Consultant. Consulting firms provide systems or information technology
services to their clients. Consultants will advise clients on the design of
new systems and will assist in the installation of such systems.

Summary

LEARNING OBJECTIVE 1 managers, ISs for middle managers, and ISs for senior
Explain what management information systems are. managers. ISs can also be classified by the business
function that they serve as marketing ISs, production
Management information systems are the systems that
ISs, accounting ISs, financial ISs, and human resources
manage the direct resources needed for creating,
ISs.
storing, and distributing information in a business
organization. The direct resources that MISs manage LEARNING OBJECTIVE 4
include computer hardware, computer software,
Identify the activities involved in the development of
databases, and telecommunications networks.
information systems.
LEARNING OBJECTIVE 2 The activities involved in the development of
Describe the roles that computer hardware, computer information systems are systems analysis, systems
software, databases, and telecommunications design, programming, testing, conversion, production,
networks play in management information systems. and maintenance. The four conversion strategies when
moving from a current system to a new system are
Computer hardware is the major physical aspect of MISs.
called parallel, phased, pilot, and plunge.
Modern computer systems include a central processing
unit, primary and secondary storage, input and output
LEARNING OBJECTIVE 5
devices, and communication devices. Modern
Discuss how global companies are configuring their
computers can be classified as mainframe computers,
information systems.
midrange computers, microcomputers, and
supercomputers. Computer software is the detailed Domestic exporters tend to follow a centralized
instructions that control the operation of a computer configuration strategy for their information systems.
system. The two major kinds of computer software are Multinational companies typically adopt decentralized
system software and application software. A database is a configuration strategies. Franchisers usually use
group of related files and represents the highest level in a duplicated configuration strategy. Transnational
the data hierarchy. The two major types of databases are firms prefer the networked configuration strategy.
operational databases and data warehouses.
Telecommunications networks are collections of LEARNING OBJECTIVE 6
computer hardware and software arranged to transmit Illustrate what businesses can do to assure the
information from one place to another. Telecommuni- security and accuracy of their information systems.
cations networks can be classified by their geographical
Businesses use system controls that monitor the
coverage as local area networks or wide area networks.
accuracy and security of the input, processing,
storage, and output activities. Firms also institute
LEARNING OBJECTIVE 3
procedural controls that ensure the accuracy and
Classify information systems by the organizational integrity of computer and network operations and of
level they support and by the business function they systems development activities. Companies further
serve.
establish facility controls that protect the
Information systems (ISs) can be classified by the organization’s computing facilities from loss or
organizational level they support: as ISs for operations destruction.

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