(WGU) C724 - Information Systems Foundations Flashcards

These terms & definitions were sourced from sections 1 through 7 panopto videos within ITM Supplemental Resources.

Information System (IS)

A combination of people, processes, technology, and data that work together to collect, process, store, and provide useful information.

Wide Area Network (WAN)

Connection between small networks that create a large network that typically connects business campuses consisting of computer systems across large distances.

Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP)

Used to manage and monitor emails that we receive.

Personal Area Network (PAN)

A short-range network that connects personal devices like smartphones, tablets, and computers.

Local Area Network (LAN)

Connects computers and devices within a small area like a home, office, school, or hospital. It usually uses switches, routers, and private IP addresses.

Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

Covers a city or large area, typically spanning 3 to 30 miles (5-50 kilometers). Often connects multiple LANs together.

Campus Area Network (CAN)

Universities, colleges, and corporate campuses connect different LANs from various departments sharing a common area.

Storage Area Network (SAN)

Specialized network dedicated to high-speed data storage and retrieval, commonly used in data centers and enterprise environments.

Virtual Private Network (VPN)

Creates a secure, encrypted connection over a public network (like the internet), allowing remote users to access a private network as if they were physically connected to it.

Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)

A wireless version of a LAN, using Wi-Fi to connect devices over a limited area without physical cables.

SaaS (Software as a Service)

Applications delivered over the internet (Gmail, Salesforce, Microsoft 365, Slack). Users access software through a web browser without installing it locally.

IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service)

Computing infrastructure delivered over the cloud, including servers, storage, and networking (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud). Organizations rent virtual resources instead of purchasing physical hardware.

PaaS (Platform as a Service)

Development platforms and tools delivered as a service (Heroku, Firebase, AWS Lambda). Developers build and deploy applications without managing underlying infrastructure.

Information Technology (IT)

Hardware, software, networks, and data used to create, store, process, retrieve, and communicate information.

IT Infrastructure

The hardware, software, networks, data storage, cloud services, security systems, and IT management that support an organization's information systems and business operations.

Digital Business

A business that uses digital technologies to create value, improve operations, make data-driven decisions, and respond to customers and changing markets.

Business Process

A series of coordinated activities used to accomplish a business task or goal, often across multiple departments.

Data

Raw facts and observations that can be processed into meaningful information.

Information

Data that has been processed or organized so that it has meaning and can be used.

Knowledge

Understanding gained from information and experience that can be applied to make decisions or solve problems.

Service Platform Perspective

Looking at technology based on the business services and capabilities it enables rather than only the technology itself.

Transaction Processing System (TPS)

An information system that records and processes routine day-to-day business transactions.

Management Information System (MIS)

An information system that uses transaction data to provide summarized reports and information to managers.

Decision Support System (DSS)

An information system that uses data, models, and analytical tools to help managers analyze problems and make decisions.

Executive Support System (ESS)

A system that provides senior executives with important internal and external information to support strategic decision-making.

Executive Information System (EIS)

A system that provides senior executives with information and tools to support strategic decision-making.

Dashboard

A visual display of important information and performance indicators that allows users to monitor and analyze information at a glance.

Enterprise Application

Software that supports business processes and information needs across an organization.

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)

An integrated system that connects and manages multiple business functions and processes across an organization.

Customer Relationship Management (CRM)

A system and strategy used to manage information about customers and customer interactions.

Supply Chain Management (SCM)

Systems and processes used to manage and coordinate the flow of information, products, and activities among organizations in a supply chain.

Knowledge Management System (KMS)

A system that helps an organization capture, store, share, and apply knowledge.

Intranet

A private network that allows employees within an organization to communicate, access information, and collaborate.

Extranet

A controlled network that gives authorized external parties access to selected organizational resources.

E-Business

The use of internet and networking technologies to support broad business activities and processes.

E-Commerce

The buying and selling of goods or services and related electronic transactions over a network.

E-Government

The use of technology and the internet to provide government services and interact with citizens and businesses.

Collaboration

People working together, sharing information and ideas, and coordinating efforts to achieve a common goal.

IT Governance

The framework used to make and control IT decisions so that technology aligns with business goals, manages risk, and provides value.

Strategic Alignment

Ensuring that an organization's IT systems and technology support its business goals and strategy.

Strategic Role of Information Systems

Using information systems to support business strategy, improve operations, enable innovation, improve decision-making, and gain competitive advantage.

Chief Information Officer (CIO)

The executive responsible for an organization's information systems and IT strategy and for ensuring that technology supports business goals.

Chief Technology Officer (CTO)

The executive responsible for an organization's overall technology strategy, infrastructure, and technical direction.

Chief Security Officer (CSO)

The executive responsible for an organization's overall security strategy and policies.

Chief Data Officer (CDO)

The executive responsible for an organization's data strategy, governance, management, and use of data.

Systems Analyst

A professional who analyzes business problems and processes and helps design information systems to meet organizational needs.

Programmer

A professional who writes, tests, debugs, and maintains software code.

IT Manager

A manager who plans, coordinates, and manages IT operations and resources.

End User

A person or organization that ultimately uses or interacts with an information system or its output.

Hardware

The physical components of a computer or information system.

Software

Programs and applications that tell computer hardware what to do.

Networks

Technologies that connect computers and devices so they can communicate and share resources.

Data Center

A facility that houses computing, networking, storage, and other IT equipment.

Cloud Computing

The delivery of computing resources and services such as servers, storage, software, and processing over a network, usually the internet.

Edge Computing

Processing data closer to where it is generated instead of sending all data to a distant centralized system or cloud.

Virtualization

Technology that allows one physical computing resource to function as multiple virtual resources.

Utility Computing

A model in which computing resources are provided and charged based on the amount actually used.

Moore's Law

The observation that computing power increases rapidly over time while the cost per unit of computing power decreases.

Metcalfe's Law

The idea that the value of a network increases as more users or devices connect to it.

Network Economics

The idea that the value of a product or service can increase as more people participate in or use the network.

Quantum Computing

A form of computing that uses quantum principles and has the potential to perform certain types of computations much more efficiently than traditional computers.

Porter's Five Competitive Forces

• Rivalry among existing competitors

• Threat of new entrants

• Bargaining power of buyers

• Bargaining power of suppliers

• Threat of substitute products or services
  
  (A framework for analyzing the competitive pressures affecting an industry.)

Rivalry Among Existing Competitors

Competition among businesses already operating in the same market.

Threat of New Entrants

The possibility that new competitors will enter an industry.

Threat of Substitutes

The possibility that customers will use different products or services to satisfy the same need.

Bargaining Power of Buyers

The ability of customers to influence prices, quality, or terms.

Bargaining Power of Suppliers

The ability of suppliers to influence prices, quality, or terms.

Business Ecosystem

A network of organizations that interact and cooperate to deliver value to customers.

Low-Cost Leadership

A strategy of using efficient operations and information systems to produce or deliver products and services at lower cost than competitors.

Product Differentiation

A strategy of making products or services distinct from competitors through features, quality, convenience, design, service, or other characteristics.

Focus on Market Niche

A strategy of using information systems to target a specific market segment rather than the entire market.

Customer and Supplier Intimacy

A strategy of using information systems to build stronger relationships with customers and suppliers and increase loyalty.

Switching Costs

The time, money, effort, or inconvenience involved in changing from one product, service, or supplier to another.

Competitive Advantage

An advantage that allows an organization to perform better than competitors or provide greater value to customers.

Data Management

The process of collecting, organizing, storing, protecting, and maintaining data so it can be accessed and used effectively.

Database

An organized collection of related data.

Database Management System (DBMS)

Software used to create, organize, store, retrieve, and manage data in databases.

Bit

The smallest unit of digital data, represented as 0 or 1.

Byte

A group of 8 bits.

Field

A single piece of data about an item, person, or event.

Record

A collection of related fields describing one item, person, or event.

File

A collection of related records.

Data Redundancy

The unnecessary storage of the same data in multiple locations.

Data Inconsistency

A situation in which the same data has different values in different locations.

Relational Database

A database that stores structured data in tables made up of rows and columns and can establish relationships between tables.

Selection

A relational database operation that selects specific rows based on criteria.

Projection

A relational database operation that selects specific columns.

Join

A relational database operation that combines related data from multiple tables.

Query

A request for specific information from a database based on defined criteria.

Report

An organized presentation of information retrieved from data.

Non-Relational Database (NoSQL)

A database that uses flexible structures such as documents, key-value pairs, graphs, or wide-column formats instead of traditional relational tables.

Cloud Database

A database hosted and accessed through cloud computing services.

Big Data

Very large and complex data sets characterized by high volume, velocity, and variety.

Volume

The amount of data.

Velocity

The speed at which data is generated, collected, or processed.

Variety

The different types and forms of data.

Business Intelligence (BI)

The use of data, technology, and analytical tools to provide insights that support business decision-making.

Business Intelligence Infrastructure

The technology, data, and processes used to collect, store, manage, and analyze information for business decisions.

Data Warehouse

A centralized repository that combines data from multiple sources and is designed for reporting, analysis, and decision-making.

Data Mart

A smaller subset of data designed for a specific department, business function, or analytical purpose.