Learn: Information Systems Fundamentals & Digital Strategy: Lessons 1–2

Data

Raw facts, figures, statements, or images that can be processed into meaningful information. [Lesson 1]

Information

Data interpreted or processed in a context that gives it meaning. [Lesson 1]

Data processing

Manipulating data to produce information or additional data. [Lesson 1]

Input

Entering data or instructions into an information system. [Lesson 1]

Transaction processing system (TPS)

A system that captures and records business transactions. [Lesson 1]

Telecommunications

Electronic communication and transfer of data between computers or devices over distances. [Lesson 1]

Information technology (IT)

Computer hardware, software, and networks used to process, store, and distribute data. [Lesson 1]

Information system (IS)

People, procedures, data, hardware, software, and communications working together to collect, process, store, and distribute information. [Lesson 1]

Procedure

An established set of steps for using a system or performing a task. [Lesson 1]

System

A group of interacting components working toward one or more goals by accepting inputs, processing them, and producing outputs. [Lesson 1]

Subsystem

A component system within a larger system that contributes to the larger system's goals. [Lesson 1]

Digital Revolution / Third Industrial Revolution

The shift from analog and mechanical technologies toward digital computing and communications. [Lesson 1]

Analog system

A system that represents information using continuously varying physical signals or values. [Lesson 1]

Digital system

A system that represents information using discrete values, usually binary digits, allowing exact copying of the stored bits. [Lesson 1]

Sampling

Measuring an analog signal at separate points in time as part of converting it to digital form. [Lesson 1]

Compression

Encoding data in fewer bits; lossless compression preserves all original data, while lossy compression discards some detail. [Lesson 1]

Cyber-physical system

A system in which software monitors or controls physical processes through connected sensors and devices. [Lesson 1]

Internet of Things (IoT)

Physical objects with sensors, software, and network connections that collect and exchange data. [Lesson 1]

Chief information officer (CIO)

An executive overseeing internal information systems, IT operations, process improvements, vendors, and technology costs. [Lesson 1]

Chief technology officer (CTO)

An executive focused, in this course's distinction, on technology in customer-facing products and revenue-generating innovation. [Lesson 1]

Chief security officer (CSO)

An executive responsible for protecting the organization's information systems and managing security threats. [Lesson 1]

Database administrator (DBA)

A person who manages databases, including access permissions, security, maintenance, and availability. [Lesson 1]

System administrator (sysadmin)

A person who manages operating systems, user accounts, backups, recovery, and system upgrades. [Lesson 1]

Network administrator

A person who maintains and troubleshoots networks and manages network access and security. [Lesson 1]

Webmaster

A person who maintains websites and related internal or external web services, including functionality and security. [Lesson 1]

Applications developer

A person who designs and builds software applications to meet user needs. [Lesson 1]

Systems analyst

A person who analyzes business needs and recommends or plans systems, including costs, schedules, and feasibility. [Lesson 1]

Data analyst

A person who examines data to answer questions and support business decisions. [Lesson 1]

Data scientist

A person who uses statistical and computational techniques to identify patterns and develop predictive models. [Lesson 1]

Information security analyst

A person who identifies security risks and helps protect systems and data from attacks and breaches. [Lesson 1]

Operations research analyst

A person who uses mathematical and analytical methods to improve decisions and solve business problems. [Lesson 1]

IS / digital strategy

A plan for using information systems and digital technologies to support organizational goals and competitive positioning. [Lesson 2]

Manglani's IS strategy framework

Three stages: analyze the industry using Porter's Five Forces; assess mission and vision fit; validate the strategy with cost-benefit analysis. [Lesson 2]

Porter's Five Forces

A framework examining new entrants, substitutes, supplier power, buyer power, and rivalry to assess industry competition. [Lesson 2]

Threat of new entrants

The competitive pressure created by how easily new firms can enter an industry. [Lesson 2]

Barriers to entry

Obstacles, such as patents, large startup costs, or regulation, that make entering an industry harder. [Lesson 2]

Threat of substitutes

The risk that customers meet the same need with a different product or service. [Lesson 2]

Switching cost

The money, time, effort, or disruption involved in moving to another product or provider. [Lesson 2]

Bargaining power of suppliers

Suppliers' ability to raise prices or impose terms because buyers have limited alternatives or depend on them. [Lesson 2]

Bargaining power of buyers

Customers' ability to negotiate lower prices or better terms. [Lesson 2]

Rivalry among existing competitors

The intensity of competition among firms already in an industry. [Lesson 2]

Mission statement

A statement of an organization's purpose, overarching goals, and how it serves its stakeholders. [Lesson 2]

Vision statement

A statement describing the organization's desired future and direction. [Lesson 2]

IT / IS mission

A statement explaining the role of information systems in supporting the organization's mission. [Lesson 2]

IT / IS vision

A description of the future technology capabilities and infrastructure needed to support the mission. [Lesson 2]

Mission compatibility / strategic fit

The alignment of a proposed digital strategy with the organization's and IT function's mission and vision. [Lesson 2]

Cost-benefit analysis (CBA)

Comparing a strategy's expected costs with its expected benefits to assess whether it is worthwhile. [Lesson 2]

Brand equity

The value created by a brand's recognition, reputation, and customer perceptions. [Lesson 2]

Customer loyalty

Customers' tendency to continue choosing or buying from the same organization. [Lesson 2]

Effectiveness

The extent to which a goal is achieved. [Lesson 3]

Efficiency

Benefits achieved relative to resources or costs used; the course expresses it as benefit divided by cost. [Lesson 3]

Productivity

Output produced per unit of input, such as output per worker or labor hour. [Lesson 3]

Enterprise resource planning (ERP)

Integrated applications or modules that coordinate core business processes across functions such as finance, HR, sales, and supply chains. [Lesson 3]

Customer relationship management (CRM)

Systems that organize customer information and interactions to support marketing, sales, and customer service. [Lesson 3]

Market research

Collecting and analyzing information about customers and markets to understand demand and predict purchasing behavior. [Lesson 3]

Targeted marketing

Directing promotions toward people most likely to buy based on customer data and analysis. [Lesson 3]

Location-based marketing / geo-marketing

Using a customer's location to deliver relevant promotions, such as offers near a store. [Lesson 3]

Salesforce automation

Using software and connected devices to automate sales activities, customer tracking, reporting, and follow-up. [Lesson 3]

Web-based customer service

Online support tools that provide information, account management, tracking, and assistance, often around the clock. [Lesson 3]

Point-of-sale (POS) system

A system that records sales where customers make purchases and may support payment and inventory tracking. [Lesson 3]

Supply chain

The connected activities and organizations involved in sourcing materials, manufacturing goods, and delivering them to customers. [Lesson 3]

Supply chain management (SCM)

Monitoring, coordinating, and controlling activities across a supply chain. [Lesson 3]

SCM system

Software supporting supply-chain planning and execution, including sourcing, inventory, production, shipping, and related financial activities. [Lesson 3]

Procurement

Acquiring the materials, products, or services an organization needs. [Lesson 3]

Inventory

Materials, work in progress, or finished goods held for production or sale. [Lesson 3]

Material requirements planning (MRP / MRP I)

A system that calculates which materials are needed, in what quantities, and when, based on production plans, bills of materials, and inventory. [Lesson 3]

Bill of materials (BOM)

A list of the materials, parts, and quantities needed to make a product. [Lesson 3]

Economic order quantity (EOQ)

The order quantity that minimizes the combined costs of ordering and holding inventory under the model's assumptions. [Lesson 3]

Manufacturing resource planning (MRP II)

A broader planning approach that extends MRP to coordinate manufacturing resources, such as materials, labor, capacity, and schedules. [Lesson 3]

Master production schedule (MPS)

A time-based plan specifying which finished products will be produced, how many, and when. [Lesson 3]

Just-in-time (JIT) manufacturing

Arranging materials and production so items arrive or are made close to when needed, reducing inventory and storage costs. [Lesson 3]

Quality control (QC)

Monitoring products or processes to detect problems and ensure required standards are met. [Lesson 3]

Electronic product code (EPC)

An identifier for individual physical items, commonly encoded on RFID tags for tracking. [Lesson 3]

Shipping optimization

Choosing routes, loading sequences, schedules, and equipment to improve delivery speed and reduce shipping costs. [Lesson 3]

Global positioning system (GPS)

A satellite-based system that determines a receiver's geographic location. [Lesson 3]

Accounting information system

A system that records financial transactions, produces reports, and supports accounting controls and compliance. [Lesson 3]

Accounts payable

Amounts the business owes suppliers or other creditors. [Lesson 3]

Accounts receivable

Amounts customers owe the business. [Lesson 3]

Finance system

Software supporting cash management, budgeting, investing, payments, and financial planning. [Lesson 3]

Time to market

The time needed to develop and launch a product; the course specifically measures idea generation through completion of a prototype. [Lesson 3]

Computer-aided design (CAD)

Software used to create, modify, and store engineering designs and drawings. [Lesson 3]

Rapid prototyping

Quickly producing a physical model to test and refine a design, often using 3D printing. [Lesson 3]

Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM)

Systems that direct machines to manufacture parts and assemble products. [Lesson 3]

Human resource management (HRM) system

Software supporting employee records, recruiting, training, evaluations, compensation, and benefits. [Lesson 3]

Virtual ERP

Separate business systems connected to share information and function together like an integrated ERP. [Lesson 3]

Hardware

The physical components of computers and related electronic devices. [Lesson 4]

Input device

Hardware that captures data or instructions and sends them to a computer. [Lesson 4]

Output device

Hardware that presents the results of processing, such as a monitor, printer, or speaker. [Lesson 4]

Motherboard

The main circuit board connecting the CPU, primary memory, and other computer components. [Lesson 4]

Central processing unit (CPU)

The processor that executes instructions, performs operations on data, and coordinates processing. [Lesson 4]

Microprocessor

A processor implemented on an integrated circuit chip. [Lesson 4]

Transistor

An electronic component that can act as a tiny switch; processors use many transistors to implement logic. [Lesson 4]

Internal / primary memory

Memory the processor uses for instructions and data, including RAM and ROM in the course's classification. [Lesson 4]

Random-access memory (RAM)

Volatile working memory that holds programs and data currently in use; contents are lost when power is removed. [Lesson 4]

Read-only memory (ROM)

Nonvolatile memory commonly used to hold firmware or startup instructions; it retains contents without power. [Lesson 4]

Volatile memory

Memory that loses its contents when power is removed. [Lesson 4]

Nonvolatile memory / storage

Memory or storage that retains data without electrical power. [Lesson 4]

Control unit

The CPU component that directs instruction fetching, decoding, and execution and coordinates other components. [Lesson 4]

Arithmetic logic unit (ALU)

The CPU component that performs arithmetic calculations and logical comparisons. [Lesson 4]

Machine cycle

The basic instruction-processing sequence: fetch, decode, execute, and store. [Lesson 4]