INF 324 Lecture 1: Global Evolution of IT

This set of flashcards covers the historical development of commercial computing, the five phases of information technology evolution, the functionality of ERP systems, and modern trends like Agentic AI and data hygiene.

LEO (Lyons Electronic Office)

The first commercial computer system, implemented in $1951$, designed to automate and process millions of transactions for the catering firm Lyon and modeled on the Cambridge EDSAC.

Phase 1 (1960s to 1970s)

A period focused on operational needs where systems were controlled by accounting departments and utilized $3\text{rd}$ generation mainframe computers such as IBM.

Phase 2 (1970s to 1980s)

A shift where more departments benefited from Information Systems through PC and minicomputer technology, often driven by user-led initiatives and steering committees.

Phase 3 (1980s to 1990s)

An era of decentralized information and internet introduction where the role of the Chief Information Officer (CIO) emerged to oversee Information Systems acquisition.

Phase 4 (1990s to Today)

A period characterized by ubiquitous computing (laptops, tablets, smartphones), social media, search engines, and widespread integration between organizations.

Phase 5 (Looking Ahead)

The future evolution of IT fueled by Cloud, big data, analytics, robotics, IoT, and Blockchain, where the line between producers and consumers of information is blurred.

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)

An integrated suite of information technology applications built on relational database systems that support enterprise operations from a cross-functional and process-centered perspective.

One Source of the Truth

The concept in ERP systems where all data is stored in a single database, ensuring consistency and integration across the entire enterprise.

Material Requirements Planning (MRP)

The $1970\text{s}$ roots of ERP focused on production planning, scheduling, and inventory control specifically for the manufacturing environment.

Manufacturing Resource Planning (MRP II)

The $1980\text{s}$ evolution of MRP that added master scheduling, rough-cut capacity planning, and capacity requirements planning.

SaaS (Software as a Service)

An outsourced cloud-based ERP model where software is hosted on a vendor's platform rather than local physical servers.

ERP Failure Rate (Gartner)

A statistic indicating that between $550.0000000000001 \times 10^{-1}\text{\%}$ to $750.0000000000001 \times 10^{-1}\text{\%}$ of ERP projects fail to meet their objectives.

Birmingham City Council Case Study

An ERP disaster where shifting design requests and poor oversight led to a project cost increase from an estimated $\pounds 39\,million$ to an additional $\pounds 90\,million$ by $2025$.

Haribo Case Study

An ERP implementation failure in $2018$ using SAP S/4HANA that resulted in a $25\text{\%}$ sales decline because the system could not track raw materials and inventory.

Data Hygiene

The process of cleaning and consolidating data from different formats and owners into a uniform state before migrating it to a new ERP system.

Two-tier ERP

An implementation strategy where subsidiaries use a separate ERP system to meet specialized requirements while the main organization uses a primary ERP.

Agentic AI

Intelligent systems that operate autonomously to achieve goals with minimal human oversight by formulating multi-step plans and adapting based on results.

Enterprise Application Integration (EAI)

Solutions used to connect ERP systems into a complex environment that includes bolt-ons, legacy applications, and external business partners.

Ubiquitous Computing

The presence of computing technology in everyday objects and mobile devices, such as laptops, tablets, and smartphones, making IT access available everywhere.

Legacy Systems

Outdated and siloed information systems that organizations aim to replace with integrated ERP suites to eliminate data duplication.