ISTM 320 Ch 1

International Business Machines (IBM)

major supplier of office equipment and typewriters before the modern computer era

Herman Hollerith

invented punch cards

Systems analysis and design

a step-by-step process for developing high-quality information systems that effectively use hardware, software, data, processes, and people to support a company's business objectives

Information system

combines technology, people, and data to support business requirements. The 5 key components are hardware, software, data, processes, and people

Systems analyst

a valued member of the IT department team who helps plan, develop, and maintain information systems. They may work internally within a company's IT department or be hired by a company as an independent consultant

System

a set of related components that produces specific results

Mission-critical system

An information system that is vital to a company's operations

Data

The raw material or basic facts used by information systems

Information

Data that has been changed into a useful form of output

Hardware

The physical layer of the information system, including computers, networks, communications equipment, and other technology-based infrastructure

Data center

A large concentration of networked computers working together

Moore's Law

A prediction that computing power would double every 18 to 24 months due to the increased miniaturization of electronic components

Software

A program run by computers for a specific function or task

System software

Programs that control a computer, including the operating system, device drivers that communicate with hardware, and low-level utilities

Application software

Software programs, such as email, word processors, spreadsheets, and graphics packages, used by employees in typical office scenarios

Enterprise applications

Company-wide applications, such as order processing systems, payroll systems, and company communications networks

Horizontal system

A basic system, such as an inventory or payroll package, commonly used by a variety of companies

Vertical system

A system designed to meet the unique requirements of a specific business or industry, such as a web-based retailer or auto-supply store

Legacy systems

An older system is typically less technologically advanced than currently available systems

Big data

Extremely large data sets (e.g., petabytes) requiring nontraditional approaches to deal with them. Sometimes characterized by three terms: volume variety, and velocity

NoSQL databases

Database systems that use a flat, nontabular (nonrelational) structure to store and process large-scale data sets

Processes

A procedure or task that users, managers, and IT staff perform. Also, the logical rules of a system that are applied to transform data into meaningful information.

Stakeholders

Anyone affected by a company's performance, such as customers, employees, suppliers, stockholders, and community members

Users

Stakeholders inside and outside the company who will interact with the system

E-commerce (electronic commerce)

Transactions (e.g., buying and selling of goods and information) that occur on the Internet.

App

A software application that runs on a mobile device, such as a smartphone or tablet

B2C (business-to-consumer)

A commercial exchange (e.g., products or services) between businesses and consumers conducted over the Internet

Example of B2C

Airbnb & VRBO

B2B (business-to-business)

A commercial exchange (e.g., products or services) between businesses, typically enabled by the Internet or electronic means

Electronic data interchange (EDI)

A process that involves the computer-to-computer transfer of data between companies

Supply chain management (SCM)

The coordination, integration, and management of materials, information, and finances as they move from suppliers to customers, both within and between companies.

Supply chain

All the companies that provide materials, services, and functions needed to deliver products to a customer

C2C (consumer-to-consumer)

A commercial exchange (e.g., products or services) between consumers conducted over the Internet

Example of C2C

Poshmark, Depop, and Mercari

Modeling

An activity that produced a graphical representation of a concept or process that systems developers can analyze, test, and modify

Business profile

A definition of a company's overall functions, processes, organization, products, services, customers, suppliers, competitors, constraints, and future direction

Business model

A graphical representation of business functions that consist of business processes, such as sales, accounting, and purchasing

Model-based systems engineering (MBSE)

An approach to systems engineering that relies on domain models rather than traditional documents to design large-scale systems and convey information between engineers

Business process

A description of specific events, tasks, and desired results

Business process model (BPM)

A graphical representation of one or more business processes

Business process modeling notation (BPMN)

A standard set of shapes and symbols used to represent events, processes, and workflows in computer-based modeling tools

Enterprise computing

Information systems that support company-wide data management requirements, such as airline reservations or credit card billing systems

Enterprise resource planning (ERP)

A process that establishes an enterprise-wide strategy for IT resources.

Transaction processing (TP) systems

Operational systems used to process day-to-day recurring business transactions, such as customer billing

Business support systems

Provide job-related information support to users at all company levels

Management information systems (MIS)

A computer-based information system used in business planning, control, decision making, and problem solving

Radio frequency identification (RFID)

Technology that uses high-frequency radio waves to track physical objects

Knowledge base

A popular systems development technique that uses a group of users, managers, and IT professionals working together to gather information, discuss business needs, and define the new system requirements

Inference rules

Instructions that direct a knowledge management system to identify data patterns and relationships

User productivity systems

Applications that provide employees of all levels a wide array of tools to improve job performance.

Groupware

Programs that run on a network enabling users to share data, collaborate on projects, and work in teams.

Personal digital assistant

A program that responds to user requests through a natural interface, such as regular speech, to aid general-purpose queries.

Artificial intelligence (AI)

The attempt to re-create natural intelligence through software in machines

Machine learning

An application of computer science and artificial intelligence that uses automated approaches to pattern recognition and predictive analytics based on large data sets

Strategic plans

The long-range plans that define the corporate mission and goals. Typically defined by top management, with input from all levels

Empowerment

A business practice that places more responsibility and accountability throughout all levels of an organization

Structured analysis

A traditional systems development technique that uses phases to plan, analyze, design, implement, and support an information system. Processes and data are treated as separate components

Object-oriented (O-O) analysis

The act of understanding an information system by identifying objects that represent a real person, place, event, or transaction. Object-oriented analysis is a popular approach that sees a system from the viewpoint of the objects as they function and interact with the system

Agile methods

Systems development methods that attempt to develop a system incrementally by building a series of prototypes and constantly adjusting them to user requirements. Related to adaptive methods

Project management

The process of planning, scheduling, monitoring, controlling, and reporting on the development of an information system

Systems development life cycle (SDLC)

Activities and functions that systems developers typically perform, regardless of how those activities and functions fit into a particular methodology. The SDLC model includes five phases: (1) systems planning, (2) systems analysis, (3) systems design, (4) systems implementation, and (5) systems operations

Business rules

How a system handles data and produces useful information. Business rules, also called business logic, reflect the business's operational requirements. Examples include adding the proper sales tax amount to invoices, calculating customer balances and finance charges, and determining whether a customer is eligible for a volume-based discount

Data flow diagram (DFD)

A graphical representation of a system, showing it stores, processes, and transforms data into useful information

Waterfall model

The traditional model of software development. A graph depicting the result of each SDLC phase flowing down into the next phase

Deliverable

A polished, final product suitable for its intended use. End products or deliverables often coincide with the completion of each SDLC phase

Systems planning phase

The first phase of the SDLC. During this phase, the systems project gets started. The project proposal is evaluated to determine its feasibility, and the project management plan is formulated with the help of CASE tools where appropriate

Systems request

A formal request to the IT department that describes problems or desired changes in an information system or business process. It might propose enhancements for an existing system, correcting problems, or developing an entirely new system

Preliminary investigation

An initial analysis to identify the nature and scope of the business opportunity or problem. Also called a feasibility study

Feasibility study

An initial investigation to identify the nature and scope of the business opportunity or problem. Also called a preliminary investigation

Systems analysis phase

The second SDLC phase. This phase aims to build a logical model of a new system

Requirements modeling

Used in the systems planning phase of the SDLC

Fact-finding techniques

Various methods such as interviews, surveys, observation, and sampling used to describe the current system and identify the requirements for the new system.

System requirements document

A document that contains the requirements for a new system, describes the alternatives that were considered, and makes a specific recommendation to management.

Systems design phase

The third SDLC phase aimed at creating a blueprint for a new system that satisfies all documented requirements.

System design specification

A document that presents the complete design for a new information system, along with detailed costs, staffing, and scheduling for the next SDLC phase.

Systems implementation phase

The fourth phase of the SDLC where the new system is constructed, programs are written, tested, documented, and the system is installed.

Systems operations/maintenance phase

The phase of the SDLC where the IT staff maintains, enhances, and secures the operational system.

Scalable

The ability of a system to expand to meet new business requirements and volumes.

Objects

In object-oriented analysis or programming, an object represents a real person, place, event, or transaction.

Class

A term used in object-oriented modeling to indicate a collection of similar objects.

Properties

Characteristics that objects inherit from their class or possess on their own in object-oriented analysis.

Iterative

Involving repetition.

Spiral model

A development model with a series of iterations, or revisions, based on user feedback.

Prototype

An early, rapidly constructed working version of the proposed information system.

Application lifecycle management (ALM)

Activities that cover the entire SDLC, including requirements, design, development, testing, and deployment and management of software applications.

Integrated development environments (IDE)

An application for building other software applications, typically including a visual code editor, an integrated compiler, a debugger, and a test framework.

Computer-aided systems engineering (CASE)

A technique that uses powerful programs called CASE tools to provide an overall framework for systems development.

CASE tools

Powerful software used in computer-aided systems engineering (CASE) to help systems analysts develop and maintain information systems.

Technical support

Support necessary to help the wide variety of IT systems and users, including application development, systems support, user support, and more.

Help desk

A centralized resource staffed by IT professionals that provides users with the support they need to do their jobs.

Critical thinking skills

The ability to compare, classify, evaluate, recognize patterns, analyze cause and effect, and apply logic.

Certification

A credential an individual earns by demonstrating a certain level of knowledge and skill on a standardized test.

Corporate culture

A set of beliefs, rules, traditions, values, and attitudes that define a company and influence its way of doing business.

Data science

An interdisciplinary field that blends computer science, math and statistics, and business methods to analyze large data sets.

Bring your own device (BYOD)

An equipment management model where employees oversee their devices at work, including device selection and setup.

Product-oriented

Companies that manufacture computers, routers, or microchips.

Service-oriented

A company that primarily offers information or services or sells goods produced by others.