CIS 101 Module 12: Digital Transformation

Digital transformation

the integration of digital technologies into business activities, organizational cultures, and customer experiences

what is digital transformation enabled by?

cloud computing, e-commerce, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence.

private cloud

your own hardware, does not use the Internet

cloud computing

providing and using technology tools, such as software or storage, via the Internet. is not the same as the internet

public cloud

multiple customers use the same, Internet-connected cloud that is running on hardware owned by a cloud service provider.

on-premises hosting

files, databases, or applications are hosted on your hardware in your office or data center.

why is cloud computing important?d

levels the playing field so that small, creative businesses can successfully compete with large corporations.

NIST characteristics of cloud technology

• On-demand self-service

• Broad network access

• Resource pooling: Hardware that supports a cloud service is shared between all of that service’s customers or users.

• Rapid elasticity: A cloud resource can be scaled up or down on demand, even automatically.

• Measured service: Usage of cloud resources is tracked at a granular level so customers can be accurately billed for the resources they use.

distributed computing

a way to design a system so various components run on multiple computers but work together as a single system

Software as a Service (SaaS)

also called web apps, which is software that is distributed online and sometimes costs a monthly subscription or an annual fee to use. usually used by users. Biggest providers: Salesforce, Oracle

Platform as a Service (PaaS)

provides a platform from which cloud customers can run their own applications without having to manage underlying servers. usually used by app developers

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

allows cloud customers (usually businesses) to configure cloud-based networking infrastructure the way they want, such as routing, servers, operating systems, storage spaces, and security settings. usually requires more technical expertise, usually used by network architects

customer relationship management (CRM)

a set of services that help companies customize their interactions with customers through sales, marketing, communications, and customer loyalty programs

why is cloud computing a potential issue geographically?

you typically have no way of knowing where that data is saved geographically, which means you might not be in compliance with state or federal laws.

why is cloud computing potentially unsecure?

When you store data across the Internet, you’re trusting that the cloud storage provider is protecting your data and the servers where that data is stored.

why is cloud computing a risk for file management?

f something happens to their system where they lose data or their servers go down, you might lose files or access to your files in the process.

ways you might use cloud services on the job:

• Track your work schedule and hours worked

• Make changes to your tax withholdings or benefits disbursements

• Share files with colleagues at your own or partner companies

• Collaborate with teammates on projects, deadlines, and events

• Complete on-the-job training customized for your job role

• Access your customized workstation from any computer

• Use robust applications on your own computer without having to install expensive software

• Work with expansive company data from across multiple departments

• Keep a more flexible work schedule that better fits your lifestyle

e-business

any kind of business activity conducted online. does not have to use the cloud, just has to rely on a computer network

omnichannel strategy

use multiple types of contact, such as an online store and a physical store, to reach a customer

unique selling proposition (USP)

a statement about how the company and its products are different and better than the competition’s.

Business-to-consumer (B2C)

Involves the sale of goods and services to the general public

Consumer-to-consumer (C2C)

Occurs when one consumer sells directly to another

Business-to-business (B2B)

Consists of businesses providing goods and services to other businesses

Online storefront

A retailer can create their own website or smartphone app for buying and selling products or services.

A retailer can create their own website or smartphone app for buying and selling products or services.

In many cases, the online marketplace doesn’t sell its own inventory, but provides a virtual meeting place for buyers and sellers.

Social media

nclude features that allow buyers and sellers to complete transactions directly within the social media site

high-growth jobs in e-commerce industries

• Customer service representatives

• Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks

• Hand pickers and packagers

• Freight, stock, and material movers

• Transport and delivery truck drivers

• General and operations managers

• Market research analysts and marketing specialists

• Application and web developers

strategies to build trust with customers via e-commerce

• Post clear and well-lit product photos.

• List shipping and other add-on expenses on each product page.

• Add security seals and license badges.

• Extend customer service hours.

• Offer flexible return policies.

• Publish personalized information on the company’s “About” page that shows the personality and passion of the company’s team

characteristics of a successfull e-commerce site

• informative content that is relevant to site visitors

• a sense of community to offer a personalized relationship with each customer,

• effective context that adapts to each customer’s preferences, location, and buying process

3 Cs of e-commerce

content, community, context

Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS)

set of security standards that applies to all merchants who use their services. These standards are enforced by the credit card companies themselves.

Virtual reality (VR)

the use of computers to simulate a real or imagined environment that appears as a three-dimensional (3-D) space.

Augmented reality (AR)

A type of virtual reality that uses an image of an actual place or thing and adds digital information to it.

Robotics

The science that combines engineering and technology to create and program robots. Robots are useful in situations where it is impractical, dangerous, or inconvenient to use a human.

example use of robots

to assist with surgery

pros of self-driving cars

self-driving cars reduce dangers related to human error

cons of self-driving cars

they might contribute to accidents caused by distracted driving when the human drivers rely too heavily on the car’s technology instead of paying attention to quickly changing traffic conditions

chatbot

a software application designed to simulate human conversation through text or voice commands.

goal of AI devices

to minimize the gap between what a machine can do and what a human can do.

machine learning (ML)

the AI application uses statistics to learn from new data, identify patterns, and make decisions to progressively improve its performance.

digital assistants

Apps like Amazon’s Alexa or Apple’s Siri that use natural language processing to respond to your verbal commands or questions, using search technology to provide answers or perform a task, such as adding an item to a grocery list.

Natural language processing (NLP)

A form of data input in which computers interpret and digitize spoken words or commands.

common uses of AI

• Virtual assistants

• Social media and online ads

• Video games

• Music and media streaming services

• Smart cars

• Navigation apps

• Security features

data analytics

detect patterns that improve business processes and answer questions related to strategic planning

Robotic process automation (RPA)

automatic processes running on servers that input or transfer data

dataset

a collection of data

artificial neural networks (ANNs)

networks of processors that function similarly to the human brain by applying multiple layers of deep learning processes in a mesh network of signals. requires huge amounts of computing power and resources

wake word

a word or phrase that alerts the app to record and interpret whatever you say next.

limitations of AI text generators

• The text generation process is entirely mathematical in nature. The AI tool has no understanding of the context.

• known to “hallucinate” facts.

• Some AI text generators do not have access to the Internet and cannot fact-check information.

• concerns surrounding copyright and ownership of content generated

prompt

A request to an AI-powered content generator

prompt engineering

The process of designing a prompt and editing it to get the desired result

guidelines for designing AI prompts

• Provide context for your request

• Iterate on your prompt

• Continue the conversation

• Simplify the request

• Ask for alternatives

• Perform your own editing

Turing Test

a test scenario with a human asking the AI system questions in an attempt to determine if the system is human or machine. first posed by computing pioneer Alan Turing in 1950

telemanipulator

a robotic or mechanical system allowing an operator to remotely handle hazardous, toxic, or delicate materials from a safe distance, often mimicking human hand and arm movements.

common AI learning models

Reinforcement, Supervised, and Unsupervised

Developers use ANNs in order to _____.

produce output their users don’t necessarily expect