Midterm Exam
BA 479 / CS 480 / MCMT 479
Name ______________________________
Section 1: True or False (circle correct answer)
1. True or False: Your text describes feedback and control as two important
components of an information system. Feedback involves monitoring and evaluating
the system to determine whether it is moving toward the achievement of its goal(s).
The feedback function then makes the necessary adjustments to ensure that it
produces the proper output.
2. True or False: In the context of the information systems model, information can
be defined as data that has been converted into a meaningful and useful context for
specific end users. As such, data is usually subjected to a value-added process, which
gives it value for specific end users.
3. True or False: The greatest benefits of the Business Process Reengineering (BPR)
process are that it offers a potential for high pay-backs, while at the same time it
carries little if any risk of disruption within the organizational environment.
4. True or False: A virtual company is an organization that uses telecommunications
networks and other information technologies to link the people, assets, and ideas of a
variety of business partners, no matter where they may be located, in order to take
advantage of a business opportunity.
5. True or False: The major difficulty with companies that want to create virtual
organizations is the requirement for large, expensive, powerful computers and
dedicated wide area networks which are required to enable remote networking.
6. True or False (circle correct answer) When discussing the major changes and trends
that have occurred during the major stages or generations of computers, it is evident
that , in general, computers have become smaller, faster, more reliable, but more
costly to purchase and maintain.
7. True or False (circle correct answer) A web browser is considered a vital component
of computer software. Web browsers are the key software interface used 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.
8. True or False (circle correct answer) Database management packages, such as
Microsoft Access, allow end users to create databases on their PC. Once developed,
these databases can be used to collect, store, and organize data. In addition, the user
can query the database to find specific elements of data.
9. True or False (circle correct answer) Businesses are typically made up of a variety of
functional areas including operations, accounting and marketing. Often they have
information systems to support these areas. Increasingly businesses are striving to
integrate these systems by creating or buying business enterprise application
software.
Section 2: Multiple Choice (circle the correct answer)
10. An information system could be defined as:
a. An organized combination of people, hardware, software, communications
networks, and database resources.
b. A system that that collects, transforms, and disseminates information in an
organization.
c. A system for collecting, processing and disseminating information that often
contains feedback and control processes.
d. All of the above would apply to the definition of an information system.
11. Which one of the following is true?
a. Supercomputers are used primarily for transaction processing systems.
b. Midrange computers are typically not suitable for use as computer servers.
c. Large mainframe computers provide very large amounts of processing power
and can serve as host computers for distributed processing.
d. Minicomputers are generally used where required applications are broad in
scope and require great deal of processing capability.
12. Which of the following best describes a database management system:
a. Database management systems typically reside on mainframe computers and
are accessed by a machine called a terminal.
b. Database systems are typically not an end-users tool. They are generally used
only at higher organizational levels.
c. Database management systems typically provide the users with the capability
to define a database, store data, and perform data queries or interrogations.
d. Database systems are often used to replace computer operating systems on
personal computers.
13. Your text outlines five basic competitive strategies that it can be uses to counter the
threat of competition. Becoming a low-cost producer of products and services in an
industry is an example of a(n):
a. Cost leadership strategy.
b. Differentiation strategy.
c. Innovation strategy.
d. Growth strategy.
14. Which one of the following statements would best fit the description of a midrange
computer?
a. The smallest but most important category of computer systems for end users
b. Larger and more powerful than most microcomputers but are smaller and less
powerful than most large mainframe computer
c. The largest, most powerful category of computer. They are physically larger
than micros and minis and usually have one central processor.
d. Extremely powerful mainframe computer systems specifically designed for
high-speed numeric computation.
Section III: Fill in the blanks
15. Describe when a mainframe computer is called for in a business situation and provide
an example.
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16. Briefly state the purpose of a computer operating system. Provide at least one
specific example of an operating system function.
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17. Describe a virtual company and state some of the advantages. Give a brief example.
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18. Describe the general purpose of a computer server and provide an example.
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19. Explain why the study of information systems / information technology is important
for today’s managers and business professionals.
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20. Describe the purpose and advantages of creating a corporate data warehouse.
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(Bonus Question for 3 Points) Briefly explain what a network router is and what
capability it provides within a network.
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