Chapter 11: Information Systems and Technology Lecture Review

Vocabulary terms and definitions covering business information systems, hardware, networks, security, and emerging technologies from Chapter 11.

Disruptive Innovation

Less expensive and simpler versions of existing products and services that target entirely new customers, many times replacing the industry leaders.

Data

Raw facts and figures that may or may not be meaningful to a business decision.

Information

The knowledge gained from processing raw facts and figures.

Information System

An organized method for collecting, storing, and communicating past, present, and projected information on internal operations and external intelligence.

Chief Information Officer (CIO)

The executive responsible for managing a firm's information systems and related operations, who traditionally reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Big Data

Large or complex data sets for which traditional processing applications are usually inadequate to analyze them.

Computer-Based Information Systems

Systems that rely on computer and related technologies to store information electronically in an organized, accessible manner.

Database

A centralized, integrated collection of data resources designed to meet the information processing and retrieval needs of a company's workforce, serving as an electronic filing cabinet capable of storing massive amounts of data and retrieving it within seconds.

Operational Support System

A system designed to produce a variety of information on an organization's activities for both internal and external users, encompassing transaction processing systems and process control systems.

Transaction Processing System

An operational support system designed to record and process the routine transactions and sales activities of a business.

Process Control System

An operational support system that monitors and controls physical processes, such as tracking parts and scheduling production in a manufacturing plant.

Management Support Systems

Systems designed to provide support for effective decision-making, including management information systems, decision support systems, executive support systems, and expert systems.

Computer Hardware

All the tangible elements of a computer system.

Input Devices

Hardware components that store and process data and perform required calculations, such as keyboards and mice.

Output Devices

Hardware elements that transmit and display documents and other results of a computer system's work, such as monitors and printers.

Mainframe

The largest type of computer system, characterized by the most extensive storage capacity and fastest processing speeds.

Midrange Systems

High-end network servers that can handle large-scale processing needs.

Software

All programs, routines, and computer languages that control a computer and tell it how to operate.

Operating System

The software that controls the basic workings of a computer system.

Application Software

Programs that perform a specific task that users want to carry out, such as writing a letter or analyzing data.

Local Area Network (LAN)

Computer networks that connect machines within a limited area, such as a single building or several nearby buildings.

Wide Area Network (WAN)

Networks that tie larger geographical regions together by using telephone lines, microwave signals, and satellite transmissions.

Wireless Local Network

A network configuration that allows computers, printers, and other devices to be connected without streaming cables in traditional office settings.

The Internet

A global system of interconnected mainframe, personal, and wireless computer networks that enables information to be shared and exchanged.

Virtual Network

A computer network that consists of links that are not physical connections.

Virtual Private Network (VPN)

A secure connection between two points on the Internet that uses firewalls and data encapsulation programs to keep data secure during transit.

Intranet

A network that integrates computers running different operating systems to enable collaboration among employees who are traveling or telecommuting.

Enterprise Computing

Different types of hardware networked together to create a seamless flow of data across organizations.

Cloud Computing

The use of powerful servers to store application software and databases for users to access via the web using devices ranging from personal computers to smartphones.

Application Service Provider (ASP)

An outside supplier that provides both computer hardware and application support for managing an information system.

Disaster Recovery Planning

Deciding how to prevent system failures and continue operations if computer systems fail due to natural disasters, power failures, equipment malfunctions, software glitches, human error, or cyberattacks.

Virtual Reality (VR)

Technology that creates a fully rendered digital environment with body and motion tracking capabilities that replace the user's real-world environment.

Augmented Reality (AR)

A direct or indirect live view of physical real-world environments whose elements are augmented by computer-generated graphics, sounds, and touch feedback for an enhanced user experience.

Blockchain

A technology that creates a digital record across hundreds of thousands of computers, reducing the risk of hacking and allowing secure communication and sharing of digital assets.

Internet of Things (IoT)

An entire Internet-connected ecosystem of varied items beyond standalone devices, including TVs, cars, household appliances, and wearable tech devices.

Smart Manufacturing

The use of industrial 3D printing to create prototypes and production parts on demand.

Enterprise Data Sovereignty

The management, ownership, and governance of extensive data collected from diverse sources, such as transactional systems, machinery, social media, and web interactions, used to inform business decisions.