1. 1.1 © 2007 by Prentice Hall 1 Chapter Business Information Systems in Your Career

2. 1.2 © 2007 by Prentice Hall OBJECTIVES Essentials of Business Information Systems Chapter 1 Business Information Systems in Your Career Explain why information systems are so essential in business today. Define an information system from both a technical and a business perspective, and distinguish between computer literacy and information systems literacy. Apply a four-step method for business problem solving to solve information system-related problems.

3. 1.3 © 2007 by Prentice Hall Assess how information systems will affect business careers in accounting, finance, management, marketing, operations management, and information systems and identify the information systems skills and knowledge essential for all business careers. OBJECTIVES (Continued) Essentials of Business Information Systems Chapter 1 Business Information Systems in Your Career

4. 1.4 © 2007 by Prentice Hall Essentials of Business Information Systems Chapter 1 Business Information Systems in Your Career Major League Baseball Hits a Home Run with Information Systems Problem: Declining revenue from traditional sales channels, declining customer base, increasing costs. Solutions: MLB Web sites and cell phone ticketing enable electronic ticketing and delivery of online information and games, which increase sales. SAS customer analysis software and Web site tracking tools help identify good sales prospects. Demonstrates IT’s role in reducing cost, opening new sales channels, and building community with customers. Illustrates the emerging digital firm landscape where businesses can use tools to analyze critical data.

5. 1.5 © 2007 by Prentice Hall Essentials of Business Information Systems Chapter 1 Business Information Systems in Your Career Major League Baseball Hits a Home Run with Information Systems Visit the Major League Baseball Web site at www.mlb.comVisit the Major League Baseball Web site at www.mlb.com Watch a video on the home pageWatch a video on the home page Subscribe to a free newsletter from the Fan ForumSubscribe to a free newsletter from the Fan Forum Find a jersey from your favorite team in the ShopFind a jersey from your favorite team in the Shop Visit the Web site of your favorite MLB teamVisit the Web site of your favorite MLB team How does having a central Web site run all team sites help MLB? How does it hurt?How does having a central Web site run all team sites help MLB? How does it hurt? What business objectives does this Web site serve?What business objectives does this Web site serve? Interactive Session: Major League Baseball

6. 1.6 © 2007 by Prentice Hall The Role of Information Systems in Business Today In 2005, more wireless phone accounts were opened than telephone land lines installedIn 2005, more wireless phone accounts were opened than telephone land lines installed More than 35 million people receive their news online; 32 million Americans read blogsMore than 35 million people receive their news online; 32 million Americans read blogs Internet advertising continues to grow at more than 30 percent per yearInternet advertising continues to grow at more than 30 percent per year New laws require businesses to store more data for longer periodsNew laws require businesses to store more data for longer periods Changes in business result in changes in jobs and careersChanges in business result in changes in jobs and careers How Information Systems Are Transforming Business Essentials of Business Information Systems Chapter 1 Business Information Systems in Your Career

7. 1.7 © 2007 by Prentice Hall Essentials of Business Information Systems Chapter 1 Business Information Systems in Your Career Operational excellenceOperational excellence New products, services, and business modelsNew products, services, and business models Customer and supplier intimacyCustomer and supplier intimacy Improved decision makingImproved decision making Competitive advantageCompetitive advantage SurvivalSurvival Business Objectives of Information Systems The Role of Information Systems in Business Today

8. 1.8 © 2007 by Prentice Hall Essentials of Business Information Systems Chapter 1 Business Information Systems in Your Career Operational Excellence: Improved efficiency results in higher profitability Information systems and technologies help to improve higher levels of efficiency and productivity Wal-Mart is the champion of combining information systems and best business practices to achieve operational efficiency—and $285 billion in sales in 2005 Wal-Mart is the most efficient store in the world as a result of digital links between its suppliers and stores The Role of Information Systems in Business Today

9. 1.9 © 2007 by Prentice Hall Essentials of Business Information Systems Chapter 1 Business Information Systems in Your Career Information systems and technologies enable firms to create new products, services, and business modelsInformation systems and technologies enable firms to create new products, services, and business models A business model includes how a company produces, delivers, and sells its products and servicesA business model includes how a company produces, delivers, and sells its products and services The music industry has seen drastic changes in business models in recent yearsThe music industry has seen drastic changes in business models in recent years Apple has been very successful at introducing new products and adopting a new business modelApple has been very successful at introducing new products and adopting a new business model New products, services, and business models: The Role of Information Systems in Business Today

10. 1.10 © 2007 by Prentice Hall Essentials of Business Information Systems Chapter 1 Business Information Systems in Your Career Customers who are served well become repeat customers who purchase more Close relationships with suppliers result in lower costs The Mandarin Oriental in Manhattan uses information systems and technologies to foster an intimate relationship with its customers including keeping track of their preferences JCPenney uses information systems to enhance its relationship with its supplier in Hong Kong Customer and supplier intimacy: The Role of Information Systems in Business Today

11. 1.11 © 2007 by Prentice Hall Essentials of Business Information Systems Chapter 1 Business Information Systems in Your Career A company’s bottom line can be hurt by managers being swamped with data that are neither timely nor helpful, forcing them to use guesswork Real-time data have improved the ability of managers to make decisions Verizon uses a Web-based digital dashboard to update managers with real-time data on customer complaints, network performance, and line outages Improved decision making: The Role of Information Systems in Business Today

12. 1.12 © 2007 by Prentice Hall Essentials of Business Information Systems Chapter 1 Business Information Systems in Your Career Achieving the previously mentioned business objectives often leads to competitive advantage Advantages over competitors include charging less for superior products, better performance, and better response to suppliers and customers Dell Computer is one of the best examples of establishing competitive advantage as the company has continued to be profitable during a time when PC prices have been falling steadily Competitive advantage: The Role of Information Systems in Business Today

13. 1.13 © 2007 by Prentice Hall Essentials of Business Information Systems Chapter 1 Business Information Systems in Your Career Businesses may need to invest in information systems out of necessity Necessity arises from keeping up with competitors, such as when Citibank introduced ATMs Necessity also arises from federal and state regulations, such as the Toxic Substances Control Act and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act Survival: The Role of Information Systems in Business Today

14. 1.14 © 2007 by Prentice Hall Interactive Session: Business Objectives In your experience, what firms have achieved: Operational excellence New products, services, and business models Customer and supplier intimacy Improved decision making Competitive advantage Survival Did information systems and technologies play a role in these achievements? Essentials of Business Information Systems Chapter 1 Business Information Systems in Your Career The Role of Information Systems in Business Today

15. 1.15 © 2007 by Prentice Hall Perspectives on Information Systems and Information Technology Information technology is the hardware and software a business uses to achieve its objectivesInformation technology is the hardware and software a business uses to achieve its objectives An information system consists of components that support decision making and control, and help with analysis, visualization, and product creationAn information system consists of components that support decision making and control, and help with analysis, visualization, and product creation Information refers to data shaped into a meaningful and useful formInformation refers to data shaped into a meaningful and useful form Data are streams of raw facts representing events and occurrencesData are streams of raw facts representing events and occurrences What Is an Information System? Essentials of Business Information Systems Chapter 1 Business Information Systems in Your Career

16. 1.16 © 2007 by Prentice Hall Perspectives on Information Systems and Information Technology What Is an Information System? Essentials of Business Information Systems Chapter 1 Business Information Systems in Your Career Activities in an information system that produce information: Input Processing Output Feedback Think of an information system you have experienced recently. Describe the inputs, processing, outputs, and feedback in the system.

17. 1.17 © 2007 by Prentice Hall It Isn’t Simply Technology: The Role of People and Organizations Information systems literacy vs. computer literacyInformation systems literacy vs. computer literacy OrganizationsOrganizations PeoplePeople TechnologyTechnology Dimensions of Information Systems Essentials of Business Information Systems Chapter 1 Business Information Systems in Your Career

18. 1.18 © 2007 by Prentice Hall It Isn’t Simply Technology: The Role of People and Organizations Information Systems Are More Than Computers Essentials of Business Information Systems Chapter 1 Business Information Systems in Your Career Figure 1-3 Using information systems effectively requires an understanding of the organization, people, and information technology shaping the systems. An information system provides a solution to important business problems or challenges facing the firm.

19. 1.19 © 2007 by Prentice Hall It Isn’t Simply Technology: The Role of People and Organizations UPS Competes Globally with Information Technology Essentials of Business Information Systems Chapter 1 Business Information Systems in Your Career Read the Focus on Technology and then discuss the following questions:Read the Focus on Technology and then discuss the following questions: What are the inputs, processing, and outputs of UPS’s package tracking system? What technologies are used? How are these technologies related to UPS’s business strategy? What problems do these technologies solve? What would happen if these technologies were not available?

20. 1.20 © 2007 by Prentice Hall Understanding Information Systems: A Business Problem-Solving Approach Few business problems are simple or straightforwardFew business problems are simple or straightforward Most business problems involve a number of major factors that can be categorized as organization, technology, and peopleMost business problems involve a number of major factors that can be categorized as organization, technology, and people The Problem-Solving Approach Essentials of Business Information Systems Chapter 1 Business Information Systems in Your Career

21. 1.21 © 2007 by Prentice Hall Understanding Information Systems: A Business Problem-Solving Approach Problem identificationProblem identification Solution designSolution design ChoiceChoice ImplementationImplementation Problem solving is a process, not an eventProblem solving is a process, not an event A Model of the Problem-Solving Process Essentials of Business Information Systems Chapter 1 Business Information Systems in Your Career

22. 1.22 © 2007 by Prentice Hall Problem Solving Is a Continuous Four-Step Process Essentials of Business Information Systems Chapter 1 Business Information Systems in Your Career Figure 1-4 During implementation and thereafter, the outcome must be continually measured and the information about how well the solution is working is fed back to the problem solvers. In this way, the identification of the problem can change over time, solutions can be changed, and new choices made, all based on experience. Understanding Information Systems: A Business Problem-Solving Approach

23. 1.23 © 2007 by Prentice Hall Understanding Information Systems: A Business Problem-Solving Approach Four elements of critical thinking:Four elements of critical thinking: Maintaining doubt and suspending judgment Being aware of different perspectives Testing alternatives and letting experience guide Being aware of organizational and personal limitations The Role of Critical Thinking in Problem Solving Essentials of Business Information Systems Chapter 1 Business Information Systems in Your Career

24. 1.24 © 2007 by Prentice Hall Understanding Information Systems: A Business Problem-Solving Approach When firms cannot achieve their business objectives, these objectives become challengesWhen firms cannot achieve their business objectives, these objectives become challenges Information systems often present solutions to these challengesInformation systems often present solutions to these challenges The Connection Between Business Objectives, Problems, and Solutions Essentials of Business Information Systems Chapter 1 Business Information Systems in Your Career

25. 1.25 © 2007 by Prentice Hall Essentials of Business Information Systems Chapter 1 Business Information Systems in Your Career Success in today’s job market requires a broad set of skillsSuccess in today’s job market requires a broad set of skills Job candidates must have problem-solving skills as well as technical skills so that they can carry specific tasksJob candidates must have problem-solving skills as well as technical skills so that they can carry specific tasks The service sector will account for 95 percent of the new jobs that are created or open up by 2012The service sector will account for 95 percent of the new jobs that are created or open up by 2012 Information Systems and Your Career

26. 1.26 © 2007 by Prentice Hall Essentials of Business Information Systems Chapter 1 Business Information Systems in Your Career AccountingAccounting FinanceFinance MarketingMarketing Operations Management in Services and ManufacturingOperations Management in Services and Manufacturing Information SystemsInformation Systems OutsourcingOutsourcing How Information Systems Will Affect Business Careers Information Systems and Your Career

27. 1.27 © 2007 by Prentice Hall A Top Information Manager Puts Business Before Technology Essentials of Business Information Systems Chapter 1 Business Information Systems in Your Career Read the Focus on People and then discuss the following questions:Read the Focus on People and then discuss the following questions: What problems and challenges does Sonic face? How is it trying to solve these problems? What alternative solutions are available? Is CIO Mitchell Gregory a good problem solver for this company? Why or why not? Information Systems and Your Career

28. 1.28 © 2007 by Prentice Hall Interactive Session: Sonic Corporation Essentials of Business Information Systems Chapter 1 Business Information Systems in Your Career Visit Sonic’s Web site at www.sonicdrivein.com How does Sonic’s Web site enhance its business? Who is the target audience of the Web site? Is there more than one target audience? What would make the Web site better? How does Sonic’s Web site compare to the sites of its competitors, such as McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, Checkers, and Jack in the Box? Information Systems and Your Career