1st Edition

Information Systems What Every Business Student Needs to Know

By Efrem G. Mallach Copyright 2016
    480 Pages 177 Color Illustrations
    by Chapman & Hall

    480 Pages
    by Chapman & Hall

    Most information systems textbooks overwhelm business students with overly technical information they may not need in their careers. Information Systems: What Every Business Student Needs to Know takes a new approach to the required information systems course for business majors.

    For each topic covered, the text highlights key "Take-Aways" that alert students to material they will need to remember during their careers. Sections titled "Where You Fit In" and "Why This Chapter Matters" explain how the topics being covered will impact students once they are on the job. Review questions, discussion questions, and summaries are also included in each chapter to reinforce learning. The book is presented in four parts:

    1. About Information Systems: covers general information systems concepts that students need to know as they learn about real-world information systems
    2. Technology Fundamentals: supplies a foundation in information technology that fills the gaps most students have when they learn through trial and error
    3. Information Systems at Work: details the nitty-gritty of how actual companies use information systems in the real word
    4. Managing Information Systems: addresses the issues involved in selecting, developing, and managing information systems

    The text includes a running case study that follows two management information systems majors in college. As the two main characters study the information systems of a medical practice, students follow along and learn valuable lessons as they see how the case plays out. In addition to the running case study, each chapter also includes two mini cases that illustrate the concepts discussed in that chapter.

    Maintaining a focus on the essential concepts students must know before entering the business world, this book covers the subject of information systems in a manner that students will find accessible.

    PART I: ABOUT INFORMATION SYSTEMS

    Why Information Systems Matter in Business: And to You
    Chapter Outline
    Why This Chapter Matters
    Chapter Take-Aways
    Value of Information
    Systems and Information Systems
    What Is Information, Really?
    Legal and Ethical Information Use
    Key Point Recap
    Key Terms
    Review Questions
    Discussion Questions
    Springfield Metro Medical Associates
    Case 1: Trusting A Spreadsheet Too Much
    Questions
    Case 2: Swissquote
    Questions
    References

    Role of Information Systems in Business

    Chapter Outline
    Why This Chapter Matters
    Chapter Take-Aways
    A Perspective On Information Systems
    Competitive Strategies
    Five Basic Competitive Forces
    Value Chain
    Key Point Recap
    Key Terms
    Review Questions
    Discussion Questions
    Springfield Metro Medical Associates Case
    Questions
    Case 1: Using Social Media to Compete
    Questions
    Case 2: Pharmacy Processes
    Questions
    References

    PART II: TECHNOLOGY FUNDAMENTALS

    Information Systems Hardware
    Chapter Outline
    Why This Chapter Matters
    Chapter Take-Aways
    Computer Structure
    Switches: The Basic Hardware Building Blocks
    Computer System Components
    Computer Categories
    Key Point Recap
    Key Terms
    Review Questions
    Discussion Questions
    Springfield Metro Medical Associates
    Questions
    Case 1: The Green Grid Measures Energy Efficiency
    Questions
    Case 2: Meltin’Pot Deploys Blade Servers
    Questions
    References

    Information Systems Software

    Chapter Outline
    Why This Chapter Matters
    Chapter Take-Aways
    Software Concepts
    System Software
    Application Software
    Software Licensing
    Embedded Software
    Key Point Recap
    Key Terms
    Review Questions
    Discussion Questions
    Springfield Metro Medical Associates
    Questions
    Case 2: Rescuing Food
    Questions
    References

    Data, Databases, and Database Management

    Chapter Outline
    Why This Chapter Matters
    Chapter Take-Aways
    The Database Concept
    Operational Databases
    Databases for Decision Making
    Database Management Systems
    Database Security
    Key Point Recap
    Key Terms
    Review Questions
    Discussion Questions
    Springfield Metro Medical Associates
    Questions
    Case 1: Netflix Moves to Cassandra
    Questions
    Case 2: Mapping Aleppo
    Questions
    References

    Information Networks
    Chapter Outline
    Why This Chapter Matters
    Chapter Take-Aways
    Communication Links And Networks
    Communication Links And Devices
    Local Area Networks
    Wide Area Networks And The Internet
    Internet Applications
    Network Security
    Key Point Recap
    Key Terms
    Review Questions
    Discussion Questions
    Springfield Metro Medical Associates
    Questions
    Case 1: Connecting Remote Areas in Michigan
    Questions
    Case 2: Helping Mothers Have Healthy Babies in Ghana
    Questions
    References

    PART III: INFORMATION SYSTEMS AT WORK

    Integrating the Organization
    Chapter Outline
    Why This Chapter Matters
    Chapter Take-Aways
    History: Information Silos
    Functional Information Systems
    Transaction Processing
    Enterprise Resource Planning Systems
    Enterprise Application Integration
    Intranets
    Integrating Society
    Key Point Recap
    Key Terms
    Review Questions
    Discussion Questions
    Springfield Metro Medical Associates
    Questions
    Case 1: City Of Edinburgh Modernizes
    Questions
    Case 2: Serenic Accounting Software
    Questions
    References

    Connecting with Customers and Suppliers
    Chapter Outline
    Why This Chapter Matters
    Chapter Take-Aways
    E-Business And E-Commerce
    Customer Relationship Management
    Connecting Through Social Networks
    Supply Chain Management
    Extranets
    Key Point Recap
    Key Terms
    Review Questions
    Discussion Questions
    Springfield Metro Medical Associates
    Questions
    Case 1: AliMed EDI
    Questions
    Case 2: The Risky Supply Chain
    Questions
    References

    Making Better Decisions
    Chapter Outline
    Why This Chapter Matters
    Chapter Take-Aways
    Decision-Making Concepts
    Model-Driven Decisions
    Data-Driven Decisions
    Group Decisions
    Dashboards
    Key Point Recap
    Key Terms
    Review Questions
    Discussion Questions
    Springfield Metro Medical Associates
    Questions
    Case 1: Predictive Analytics And Yogurt
    Questions
    Case 2: Data Warehousing At Volvo
    Questions
    References

    PART IV: MANAGING INFORMATION SYSTEMS

    Planning and Selecting Information Systems
    Chapter Outline
    Why This Chapter Matters
    Chapter Take-Aways
    The Information Systems Steering Committee
    Setting Priorities
    Make Or Buy?
    Selecting Software
    After the Contract Is Signed
    Key Point Recap
    Key Terms
    Review Questions
    Discussion Questions
    Springfield Metro Medical Associates
    Questions
    Case 1: Muddle Through or Replace?
    Questions
    Case 2: Planning for Data Growth
    Questions
    References

    Developing Information Systems
    Chapter Outline
    Why This Chapter Matters
    Chapter Take-Aways
    Overview Of Software Development
    The System Development Life Cycle Approach
    Other System Development Approaches
    Managing The Development Process
    Key Point Recap
    Key Terms
    Review Questions
    Discussion Questions
    Springfield Metro Medical Associates
    Questions
    Case 1: The Gendarmes Move to Linux
    Questions
    Case 2: Moody’s And Aaron’s Go Agile
    Questions
    References

    Managing Information Systems
    Chapter Outline
    Why This Chapter Matters
    Chapter Take-Aways
    Linking Strategy
    Information Systems Department
    Information Systems Jobs And Careers
    Managing Information Systems Security
    Key Point Recap
    Key Terms
    Review Questions
    Discussion Questions
    Springfield Metro Medical Associates
    Questions
    CASE 1: Underwater Data Centers: Should You Worry?
    Questions
    CASE 2: Snoops on The Inside
    Questions
    References

    Index

    Biography

    Efrem G. Mallach , Adjunct Professor, Computer Information Systems, Rhode Island College; and Research Director, Kea Company.