Chapter 1
Information Systems:
The Big Picture
Information Systems Today
Leonard Jessup and Joseph Valacich
© 2003 Prentice Hall, Inc.
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© 2003 Prentice Hall, Inc.
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Textbook Overview
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Ch 1 – IS: The Big Picture
Ch 2 – IS for Competitive Advantage
Ch 3 – Database Management
Ch 4 – Telecommunications and the Internet
Ch 5 – E-Commerce, Intranets, and Extranets
Ch 6 – Organizational Information Systems
Ch 7 – Enterprise-Wide IS
Ch 8 – IS Development and Acquisition
Ch 9 – IS Ethics, Crime, and Security
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Textbook Overview
Appendix A – IS Hardware
 Appendix B – IS Software
 Appendix C – Computer Networking
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Chapter 1 Objectives
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Understand the term information systems (IS)
Understand IS components:
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Technology, people, organizations
Understand IS career opportunities
Understand types of information systems
Understand IS and organizational success or
failure
Understand the future of IS management
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Case: IS at Washington State University
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Automating educational processes
Online Administration
 Registration
 Financial aid
 Grades
Online Course Management
 Syllabi
 Assignments
 Online class discussions
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Information Systems Defined
Combinations of hardware, software, and
telecommunications networks that people
build and use to collect, create, and
distribute useful data in organizations
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Key Elements of Information Systems
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Knowledge as a Business Resource
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Knowledge Worker
 A well-educated professional who creates,
modifies, or synthesizes knowledge in one’s
profession
Knowledge Society
 Also called digital society, new economy
 Working with brains instead of hands
 The importance of education
 Digital divide
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Data
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Data: raw material, unformatted information
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Information: processed data (meaningful)
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Knowledge: understanding relationships between
pieces of information
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Wisdom: knowledge accumulated and applied
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Technology and Information Systems
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Computer-Based Information Systems
 One type of technology
 Technology – any mechanical and/or electrical
means to supplement, extend, or replace human
activity
 Information Technology (IT) – machine
technology controlled by or using information
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The goal of IS is to provide useful data to users
 IS can be local or global, organizational or
enterprise-wide
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Careers: Operations Management
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Trends
 Virtual Corporations
 Network Infrastructure
 How wired is your firm?
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The People Side of IS
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Despite economic ups and downs…
 Labor shortages predicted
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U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
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http://stats.bls.gov/emp/emptab3.htm
Ranked among best jobs available
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Careers in IS
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Systems Analyst
Systems Programmer
Systems Consultant
Database Administrator
Webmaster
IS Director
Chief Information Officer
Professor
Government scientist
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Chief Information Officer (CIO)
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Responsible for organization’s IS
Executive level
Became prominent in 1980s
Challenges
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Tightening budgets
Expectation management
Subordinates
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Mid-level managers
IS directors
Project managers
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IS Managerial Personnel
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CIO
IS director
Account Executive
Info Center Manager
Development Manager
Project Manager
Maintenance Manager
Systems Manager
IS planning Manager
Operations Manager
Programming Manager
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Systems Programming
Manager
Manager of Emerging
Technologies
Telecommunications Manager
Network Manager
Database Administrator
Auditing or Computer
Security Manager
Quality Assurance Manager
Webmaster
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The High Value of IS Personnel
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Supply and demand
 Aggressive recruiting
 High salaries
 Broad demand
 Large and small companies
 Urban and rural
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Integrating Skills and Knowledge
Technology
 hardware, software, networking
 Business
 business, management, social,
communications
 Systems
 Integration, development methods,
critical thinking, problem solving
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Hot Skills in IS Workers
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Office / E-mail
Languages
Applications
RDBS Administration
Development Tools
Internetworking
Operating Systems
NOS LAN Administration
Networking
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The Organizational Side of IS
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Transaction Processing System
Management Information System
Executive Information System
Decision Support System
Expert System
Functional Area Information System
Office Automation System (a.k.a. Personal
Productivity Software)
Collaboration System
Customer Relationship Management System
Electronic Commerce System
Enterprise Resource Planning System
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Disaster Plans for IS
That IS is crucial to corporate success is
illustrated by the need for disaster planning
 September 11
 Are companies prepared now?
 What’s at stake
 The consequences of failing to plan
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The Dual Nature of IS
Systems can dictate success or failure
 Case 1: Denver International Airport
 Case 2: Federal Express
 Factors affecting success/failure:
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Size and complexity of project
 Size and nature of organization
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IS for Competitive Advantage
Strategic Systems
 Competition: doing things faster, better,
cheaper
 How can systems gain one’s organization a
competitive advantage?
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International Outsourcing
Round-the-clock productivity
 Cost savings
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IS Within the Firm
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Traditionally a love/hate relationship
 “Techies” vs. mere “users” (us vs. them)
 Poor service, lousy attitudes
Now: progress toward better customer service
 Better relationships within the company
 Cooperation, not rivalry
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Staying Current with IS News
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Great sources for IS current info:
 informationweek.com
 computerworld.com
 cio.com
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The Spread of Technology in Organizations
Technology infiltrates business units
 Dual role for IS workers:
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Work with IS technical group
 Work with business unit (marketing, finance, etc.)
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The Spread of Technology in Organizations
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Benefits of centralized IS function
Coordinated planning
 Consistent management
 Systems compatibility and connectivity
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Human Resource Planning for IS
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The human resource challenge:
Tech workers need to understand business
 Business workers must understand technology
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Fluctuations in hiring tech workers
Downsizing issues
 Recruiting issues
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Career Prospects and Opportunities
IS applies to nearly every functional area
within a firm
 One may become indispensable in a firm
through mastering tech skills
 Anticipated growth in tech hiring
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Coming Attractions:
Is it a phone or computer?
Wireless Pocket PC
 Merging mobile phones with personal
digital assistant (PDA) technology
 Communicate, collaborate, and coordinate
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