Information Systems & Technology Core Concepts

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering Information Systems concepts, architectures, frameworks, network topologies, cloud models, and database management principles.

Data

 Raw facts

Information

Organized and processed data that have meanings and values in certain context

Knowledge

convey understanding, experience, accumulated learning, and expertise

Intelligence (Business Intelligence)

Capabilities to predict the trend, to take advantage of potential opportunities, to prevent risks, etc…

DIKW Hierarchy

A structural model depicting the flow of data from raw Data at the base, to Information, Knowledge, and top-level Intelligence.

Information Technology (IT)

Computer technology that helps us collect, store and maintain information, and use and distribute info in easy and cost efficient way

Information System (IS)

A broader system that incorporates IT, people, and business processes to collect, store, and distribute information.

5-Component Model IS

A framework comprising Hardware, Software, Data, Procedures, and People, where Data serves as the bridge between machine and human sides.

IS Triangle Model

A framework viewing an information system as an alignment between People, Processes, and Information Technology, driven by Strategy to deliver Business Value.

Information Systems Architecture

Structural framework illustrating IT Platform, IT Infrastructure, Transaction Processing Systems, Functional Area IS, ERP, and Business Intelligence Dashboards.

Competitive Advantage

• Can do business better than competitors (cost, quality, speed)

• Loyal customers, larger market share, higher profits, etc..

Business Environment Pressures Framework

Model detailing Market/Economic, Technology, and Societal/Political/Legal environmental pressures driving organizational responses supported by IT.

Porter's Five Forces Model

Industry analysis framework assessing Threat of New Entrants, Supplier Power, Buyer Power, Threat of Substitutes, and Competitive Rivalry.

Porter's Generic Competitive Strategies

Strategic model categorizing business focus into Cost Leadership, Differentiation, and Focus across industry-wide or segmented markets.

Cost Leadership Strategy Porter’s Generic Competitive Strategies

A competitive strategy aimed at maintaining the lowest operational costs across the entire industry.

Differentiation Strategy Porter’s Generic Competitive Strategies

A competitive strategy offering unique product or service features valued by customers across the entire industry.

Focus Strategy Porter’s Generic Competitive Strategies

A competitive strategy targeting a narrow customer segment with either cost leadership or differentiation.

Treacy & Wiersema's Value Disciplines

Strategic framework outlining three customer value paths: Operational Excellence (cost leadership) , Product Leadership (innovation), and Customer Intimacy (differentiation).

Value Chain Analysis

Model dividing firm activities into Primary Activities (logistics, operations, sales, service) and Support Activities (infrastructure, HR, tech, procurement) to gain margin.

Business Process Reengineering (BPR)

Changing a part of a business process to improve performance and gain competitive superiority over rivals.

Personal Area Network (PAN)

Very short-range (meters), usually wireless network connecting individual devices such as smartwatches and Bluetooth headphones.

Local Area Network (LAN)

Network covering a small, localized geographic area like a single home, room, or office building.

Wide Area Network (WAN)

Network spanning vast geographic distances across cities, regions, or countries, with the Internet being the largest example.

Intranet

Private, secured internal network accessible only by members of an organization.

Extranet

Private network securely extended to trusted external partners, suppliers, or clients.

Fiber Optic Cable

Guided transmission medium using glass fibers and light pulses for long distance, high bandwidth, and immunity to electrical interference.

Star Topology

Fast and expensive. For important. Network layout where a central hub or switch connects all devices independently, preventing whole-network failure if one link breaks.

Bus Topology

We use it. Cost effective. Network layout connecting all devices along a single shared backbone cable, creating high collision risks and single point of failure vulnerabilities.

Token Ring Topology

Slow. More costly than Bus. Network layout connecting devices in a closed ring where a digital token passes around to eliminate packet collisions. If one goes down, all go down.

Thin Client

Client machine with minimal local processing power relying almost completely on a central server for computation and storage.

Fat Client

Client machine that executes heavy processing locally and relies on a server primarily for data storage.

Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Computing

Distributed network architecture where every connected node acts as both client and server, sharing resources directly without central authority.

Utility Computing

On-demand access to computing resources billed on a pay-per-use model similar to public utilities.

Computer Cluster

Group of independent, tightly coupled computers working together in parallel as a single unified system.

Grid Computing

Network of geographically dispersed computers combined to pool processing power for complex computing tasks.

Virtualization

the process by which one physical computer host many different virtual (not literal) computers within it

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

Cloud service model providing raw virtualized hardware, servers, and storage where the user manages the operating system and apps.

Platform as a Service (PaaS)

Cloud service model supplying hardware, storage, and software development tools where the user manages only code and data.

Software as a Service (SaaS)

Cloud service model delivering fully managed end-user software applications via a web browser.

CRUD

Acronym representing the primary database operations: Creating, Reading, Updating, and Deleting.

Data Integrity

The accuracy, consistency, and reliability of data across its operational lifecycle.

Relational Database

Structured database organizing data into tables linked together by shared key fields.

Primary Key

Unique identifier attribute assigned to every distinct row in a database table.

Foreign Key

Primary key from one table embedded in a second table to establish a logical relationship between them.

Data Dictionary (Metadata)

Data about data defining field types, lengths, validation constraints, and structural rules in a database.

Cardinality

Database design metric defining how a record in one entity relates to records in another entity in the maximal case.

Modality

Database design metric indicating whether a record in one entity is required or optional when linking to another entity.

Structured Query Language (SQL)

Global standard database programming language used to create, process, and query relational databases.

Query by Example (QBE)

Graphical database interface allowing users to extract data using form fields without writing code.

Online Transactional Processing (OLTP)

Daily operational database processing focusing on real-time transactions and basic operational updates.

Data Warehouse

Giant corporate storage room that keeps a copy of all the company's information in one place so bosses can study it and make smart decisions.

Online Analytical Processing (OLAP)

Advanced processing method designed for complex analytical queries, cross-functional reporting, and business intelligence.

Data Mart

a data collection SMALLER than a datawarehouse that addresses the needs of a PARTICULAR department or functional area of business

Moore’s law

 suggest the computer chips turn half its size but double its speed every couple of years. The cost will also get cheaper.

Bell’s law

new computer class and digital devices will come to the world every decade. Also causes chance in environment, business, networks, industry–the way we live as a person. If u notice it first, u can take advajtage of it.

SWOT Analysis

• Internal: Strengths, Weaknesses.

• External: Opportunities, Threats.

Value Chain Analysis Primary Activities:

Directly related to producing and selling products (Inbound Logistics Operations Outbound Logistics Marketing/Sales Service).

Value Chain Analysis Support Activities

• Necessary infrastructure enabling primary activities (Firm Infrastructure, HR, Technology Development, Procurement).

Business Process

A structured, step-by-step sequence of activities designed to achieve a specific business outcome (e.g., Order Fulfillment, Onboarding).

Enterprise Network:

An integrated network across a large company connecting multiple distinct LANs and WANs.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)

•  Tag and reader wireless system used for tracking physical inventory.

Wireless Issues & Concerns:

Security Risks, Interference, and Range & Mobility Limitation

Computing Resources:

• Processing power (CPU), memory (RAM), storage space, and network bandwidth.

Enterprise Computing:

• Utilizing unified computing systems across an entire corporate structure. Fluctuating

• Insourcing, outsourcing, or hybrid

Cloud Computing Overview

• Delivery of computing services over the internet ("the cloud") on a pay-as-you-go, scalable basis.

Cloud Computing Benefits

High agility, lower upfront capital cost (CapEx shifted to OpEx), rapid deployment, elastic scalability, remote access anywhere, current, reliable, secure.

Core Data Quality Problems

Data Redundancy, Data Inconsistency, Data Integrity

Flat Files

Unstructured or simple text strings (.txt, .csv). High data redundancy and no relationships supported.

Lists

 Simple linear structures. Works well for simple single-user tracking, but prone to modification anomalies if scaled.