BUS237 Chapter 15

Computing Hardware

The physical components of information technology, which can include the computer itself plus storage devices, input devices like the mouse and keyboard, output devices like monitors and printers, networking equipment, and so on.

software

Precise set of instructions that tells hardware what to do and how to behave.

operating system

Type of software that controls the computer hardware and establishes standards for developing and executing applications.

(Window, Mac, IOS, Linux)

applications

Includes desktop programs, enterprise software, utilities, and other programs that perform specific tasks for users and organizations.

Hardware /software layer cake

user

application

operating system

hardware

User Interface

The visual elements of an program through which a user controls or communications the application.

firmware

Type of software that is permanently stored on a nonvolatile memory of the device.

BIOS

Basw input/output system

low-level software stored on a chip on the motherboard. It controls the most basic operations of the computer, such as starting up the system, checking hardware, and loading the operating system from storage into memory. It runs before the operating system starts.

embedded systems

Special-purpose software designed and included inside physical products.

Define platform

A business model that creates value by facilitating interactions between two or more interdependent groups. It provides an infrastructure and set of rules that enable these interactions.

Software Platform.

Tools and services used to build software and make it work well with other products.

Desktop software.

Applications installed on a personal computer, supporting tasks performed by a single user

Enterprise software.

Applications that address the needs of multiple users throughout an organization or work group.

software package

A software product offered commercially by a third party.

customer relationship management (CRM)

systems used to support customer-related sales and marketing activities

supply chain management (SCM)

systems that can help a firm manage aspects of its value chain, from the flow of raw materials into the firm through delivery of finished products and services at the point-of-consumption

business intelligence (BI) systems

which use data created by other systems to provide reporting and analysis for organizational decision-making

database management system (DBMS)

Software for creating, maintaining, and manipulating data.

partner systems

scm

organizations system

scm

erp

crm

proprietary

lead into database

Enterprise systems can save millions of dollars and turbocharge organizations.

Cost and Efficiency Benefits.

Reward. Helping firms save money and improve performance through streamlined workflows.

Risk. Longer payback period while requiring massive upfront investment

Enterprise systems can save millions of dollars and turbocharge organizations.

Process and Data Integration

Reward. By using packaged systems (like ERP, CRM), firms connect their business processes and analyze data easier.

Risk. System failures affect everything simultaneously and one breach can expose all company information.

Enterprise systems can save millions of dollars and turbocharge organizations.

Stronger Partnerships.

Reward. Helping firms to collaborate with external business partners like vendors or distributors.

Risk. Sharing data with partners creates security risks and reduces the bargaining power.

Enterprise systems can save millions of dollars and turbocharge organizations.

Strategic Growth via M&A

Reward. Well-integrated systems make companies more appealing for acquisition or better prepared to acquire others.

Risk. Merging different ERP systems can take years resulting in temporary productivity losses.

distributed computing

A form of computing where systems in different locations collaborate to finish a task

efficiencies in speed, error reduction, and cost savings and can create entirely new ways of doing business

server

Program that fulfills the requests of a client in two context

Hardware context: computer that is configured to support requests from other computers.

Software context: program that fulfills requests.

client

A software program that makes requests of a server program.

application server

computer program that runs apps and helps them work by handling things like data, security, and connections. It acts as a middleman between users and the software.

web service

Small bits of code that let different computers or programs work together over a network, using an app server.

Service-oritented architecture

A robust set of Web services built around an organization's processes and procedures.

Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)

Set of standards for exchanging messages containing formatted data between computer applications

Extensible Markup Language (XML)

Tagging language that can be used to identify data fields made available for use by other applications.

JSON

A data interchange format, JSON is a technology standard often used to format data when being sent or received via APIs.

Programming language

Providing the standards, syntax, statements, and instructions for writing computer software. Many applications are written in a variant of the C language, Java, or SQL.

Integrated development environment.

An application that includes an editor, debugger, and compiler, among other tools. The IDE is designed to make coding in easier, faster, and more fun.

Integrated Development Environment (IDE)

An application that includes an editor (a sort of programmer's word processor), debugger, and compiler, among other tools.

compile

Step in which program code written in a language that humans can more easily understand, is then converted into a form (expressed in patterns of ones and zeros) that can be understood and executed by a microprocessor. Programmers using conventional programming languages must compile their software before making it available for execution.

Scripting languages

Programming tool that executes within an application

Low Code/No Code (LCNC)

Highly visual software development tools that allow users to create information systems with little to no coding required for system development.

Software development methodologies

methods to divide tasks related to software creation and deployment up into tasks targeted at building better products with stronger product management guidelines and techniques.

software development lifecycle (SDLC)

A process for planning, creating, testing, and deploying an information system. The SDLC usually travels through a series of steps: planning, analysis, design, testing, implementation, and maintenance.

waterfall method

A step-by-step way to develop software, where each phase is done in order. It's good for planning ahead, but can be slow and inflexible if changes are needed later.

feature creep

An expansion of the scope of a project.

agile development

A way of working where software is built and improved in small steps, with frequent updates and ongoing changes to make the overall project better over time.

scrum

Scrum is a simple way to manage projects by breaking work into small parts called sprints, which last 1 to 6 weeks. A small team (less than 10 people) has clear roles, regular meetings, and easy ways to track progress.

cost categories that comprise total cost of ownership.

providing training and end user support

collecting and relaying comments for system improvements

auditing systems to ensure compliance (i.e., that the system operates within the firm's legal constraints and industry obligations)

providing regular backup of critical data

planning for redundancy and disaster recovery in case of an outage

vigilantly managing the moving target of computer security issues.

(70-80 percent on is budget to keep their systems running)

total cost of ownership

An economic measure of the full cost of owning a product (typically computing hardware and/or software). TCO includes direct costs such as purchase price, plus indirect costs such as training, support, and maintenance.

why do technology projects fail?

Poor goal setting, including a lack of clarity or ability to achieve goals

Weak project leadership and project management

Nonexistent or limited executive commitment

Poorly forecast resource needs and inadequate access to required resources

Project complexity

"Scope Creep" or changing and increasing requirements during project development

Ineffective project reporting and poor communication across constituents that include the project customer, end users, developers, and others in firm and IS operations

Inappropriate technical choices, including immature technical offerings

Inadequate testing and deployment procedures that should catch flaws before major rollout

Internal and external politics, squabbling, and misalignment of priorities among stakeholders

Time and delivery pressures that encourage corner cutting, ethical lapses, or other design weaknesses

capability maturity model integration (CMMI)

A method used to check how good and developed a company's processes are, and to help improve them. It's often used in software projects but can be used for other work too.

What does an operating system do?

controls a computer's hardware and provides a common set of commands for writing programs.

Firms that don't have common database systems with consistent formats across their enterprise often?

struggle to efficiently manage their value chain.

client server

two pieces of software: a client that makes a request and a server that receives and attempts to fulfill the request.

browser sends provides your answer to a larger client

Database Management System (DBMS)

creates, reads, updates, and deletes data in a database while controlling access and security

web service and api interchangable?

yes

what is replacing EDI?

Json and XML

. _______________ are methods to divide tasks related to software creation and deployment up into tasks targeted at building better products.

Software development methodologies

What has become a dominant software development methodology?

Agile development

A task board is an example of a(n) ________, while a daily scrum is an example of a(n) _________.

artifact; ceremony

True platform independence can be defined as:

the ability for developers to write code that can be run everywhere.

Most of the time, server hardware resides on server-class software.

false

Most of the time, server software resides on server-class hardware, but you can also set up a PC, laptop, or other small computer to run server software, albeit less powerfully.

What controls what?

hardware

software

operating systems

The physical parts of a computer that you can touch.

The programs and instructions that tell the hardware what to do.

A special type of software that manages the hardware and other software.