Role of IT Function in an Organisation - Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering IT systems, knowledge management, infrastructure, cyber security, and organizational roles.

Data

Facts and figures in a raw, unprocessed format.

Information

Data that has been processed in such a way that it has meaning to the person who receives it.

Knowledge

An application of a cognitive process such that information becomes useful knowledge that is understood.

Knowledge Management

The process for the acquisition, sharing, retention, and utilization of knowledge within an organization.

Explicit Knowledge

Knowledge that an organization formally knows it possesses and can document, such as customer information.

Tacit Knowledge

Unwritten knowledge derived from the personal experience and expertise of individuals within an organization.

Transaction Processing Systems (TPSs)

IT systems that perform and record routine daily transactions necessary for operational business continuity.

Knowledge Work Systems (KWSs)

Systems designed to facilitate the creation and integration of new knowledge into an organization.

Knowledge Workers

Professional workers whose primary jobs involve creating new information and knowledge, such as doctors, engineers, lawyers, and scientists.

Office Automation Systems (OASs)

Computer systems designed to increase the productivity of data and information workers by supporting routine office activities like document management and communication.

Management Information Systems (MIS)

Systems that convert data from underlying TPSs into summarized files and reports to enable managers to plan, direct, and control operational activities.

Decision Support Systems (DSS)

Systems that combine data and analytical tools to support semi-structured and unstructured decision-making by predicting outcome scenarios.

Executive Information Systems (EIS)

Systems that pool internal and external data into summarized, flexible formats with drill-down options to support senior management strategic decisions.

Expert Systems (ES)

A form of DSS containing specialized databases and rules that simulates human expert problem-solving techniques to make decisions.

Enterprise-wide Systems (EWS)

Systems designed to coordinate all business functions, resources, and information across geographical boundaries, such as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software.

Knowledge Management Systems (KMS)

IT systems that support the capture, preservation, and sharing of organizational knowledge to prevent data loss when employees leave.

Groupware

Collaborative software that helps teams work together on projects through shared tools like email and file sharing.

Intranet

An internal organizational network using internet technology that is accessible only by authorized employees.

Extranet

An extension of an intranet that allows external stakeholders like suppliers, customers, and business partners controlled access.

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Systems

Software applications storing customer profiles, order histories, and communications to improve customer service and targeted marketing.

Virtual Teams

Groups of employees working from different geographic locations who collaborate primarily using communications technology without face-to-face contact.

Virtual Companies

Alliances of independent business entities sharing specialized expertise to compete for larger contracts than they could win individually.

Virtual Supply Chains

Supply networks coordinated through electronic business channels, extranets, and web links.

Producers (in Virtual Supply Chains)

Entities responsible for manufacturing or creating goods and services, prioritizing schedule accuracy, cost management, and full capacity utilization.

Integrators (in Virtual Supply Chains)

Entities that manage the overarching supply network and directly maintain the end customer relationship, such as Amazon.com.

Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA)

An evaluation performed prior to or during system development to compare estimated project costs against anticipated quantitative and qualitative benefits.

Cost Benefit Review

An evaluation performed after system implementation to review actual costs incurred and benefits realized.

Phishing

A cyber attack where fraudulent emails pretending to be from trusted sources are sent to trick recipients into revealing private information.

Pharming

A cyber attack that covertly redirects website visitors from an authentic site to a fake website to collect confidential information.

Hacking

The use of specialized software and tools to obtain unauthorized administrative access to computer systems.

Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Attack

An attack that overwhelms a web server with traffic or malicious bots to deny legitimate access or cause the system to crash.

Keylogging

Software that secretly records keyboard strokes on a device to steal passwords and sensitive user inputs.

Local Area Network (LAN)

A system network that allows digital communication between computers located within a restricted local area.

Wide Area Network (WAN)

A communications network linking computer devices distributed across wide geographical areas.

Centralized Systems Architecture

An IT structure where the complete IT functionality and infrastructure are physically situated in a single central location.

Decentralized Systems Architecture

An IT structure where IT services and infrastructure are distributed across multiple locations throughout an organization.

Business Process Re-engineering (BPR)

The fundamental redesign of operational core business processes driven by advancements in IT, such as transitioning traditional retail banking entirely online.