1. Chapter 1
The Importance of MIS

2. This Could Happen to You: “You’re Fired”
Abstract reasoning skills
Systems thinking skills
Collaboration skills
Experimentation skills
Jennifer lacks skills FlexTime needs
Scenario Video

3. Study Questions
Q1: Why is Introduction to MIS the most important class in the business school?
Q2: What is an information system?
Q3: What is MIS?
Q4: Why is the difference between information technology and information systems important to you?
Q5: What is your role in IS security?
How does the knowledge in this chapter help Jennifer and you?

4. Q1: Why Is Introduction to MIS the Most Important Class in the Business School?
Moore’s Law—cost of data communications and data storage is essentially zero
Speed of computer chip increases in proportion to density of transistors
Price/performance ratio of computers falls dramatically
Number of transistors per square inch on an integrated chip doubles every 18 months

5. Moore’s Law (cont’d)

6. Moore’s Law: See Thomas Moore Video Podcast
Here are some consequences
Cost of data communications and data storage is essentially zero
YouTube
iPhone
Facebook
Second Life
Pandora
Twitter
LinkedIn

7. Why MIS Is Most Important Business Class
Future business professionals need to be able to assess, evaluate, and apply emerging information technology to business
Knowledge gained in this course will help you attain that skill
Your only job security is a marketable skill and courage to use it

8. How Can I Attain Job Security?
Rapid technological change and increased international competition spotlight non-routine cognitive skills and ability to adapt to changing technology and shifting demand
Organizations favor those with strong non-routine cognitive skills

9. Why Jennifer Lost Her Job
Skill
Example
Jennifer’s Problem
Abstract Reasoning
Construct a model or representation.
Inability to model the customer life-cycle.
Systems Thinking
Model system components and show how components inputs and outputs relate to one another.
Confusion about when/how customers contact accounts payable.
Collaboration
Develop ideas and plans with others. Provide and receive critical feedback.
Unwilling to work with others with work-in-progress.
Ability to Experiment
Create and test promising new alternatives, consistent with available resources.
Fear of failure prohibited discussion of new ideas.

10. How Can Intro to MIS Help You Learn Non-Routine Skills?
Abstract Reasoning
Chapter 1: Learn model of five components of an information system.
Chapter 2: Describes how to use model to assess scope of any new information system project; other chapters build upon this model

11. How Can Intro to MIS Help You Learn Non-Routine Skills? (cont’d)
Systems Thinking
Ability to model system components, connect inputs and outputs among components to reflect structure and dynamics of system observed
Discuss and illustrate systems; critique systems; compare alternative systems; apply different systems to different situations
Price
Sales
Profit + -

12. How Can Intro to MIS Help You Learn Non-Routine Skills? (cont’d)
Collaboration
Activity of two or more people working together to achieve a common goal, result, or work product
Chapter Extensions 2A and 2B will teach you collaboration skills and illustrate several sample collaboration information systems

13. How Can Intro to MIS Help You Learn Non-Routine Skills? (cont’d)
Ability to Experiment
Make reasoned analysis of an opportunity; developing and evaluating possible solutions
Use features and functions of Microsoft Excel, Access you’ve not used before. Collaborating using Microsoft SharePoint, Google Docs and Spreadsheets, or other collaboration tools

14. Summary: Why Is Introduction to MIS Most Important Business Class?
It will give you background you need to assess, evaluate, and apply emerging information systems technology to business.
It can give you ultimate in job security—marketable skills—by helping you learn abstraction, systems thinking, collaboration, and experimentation.

15. Q2: What Is an Information System?
A group of components that interact to produce information.

16. Experiencing MIS InClass Exercise 1: Information Systems and Online Dating
Chemistry
eHarmony
PerfectMatch
Theory of relationships: personality, compatibility, etc.
GoodGenes
MillionaireMatch
Common social/economic interests
Golfmates
EquestrianCupid
CowboyCowgirl
Single Firefighters
Asexual Pals
Common activity interests
Political interests
ConservativeDates
Liberalhearts

17. Management Information Systems
Q3: What Is MIS?
Management Information Systems
Development and use of information systems
Achieving business goals and objectives
Goal of MIS
Aligning the IS to achieve business goals and objectives

18. Development and Use of Information Systems
Business professionals need to:
Take an active role in IS to ensure that systems meet their needs
Understand how IT systems are constructed
Consider users’ needs during development
Learn how to use IT systems
Take into account ancillary IT functions (security, backups)

19. Achieving Business Goals and Objectives
MIS empowers users to achieve business objectives
Information systems exist to assist business people (a.k.a. “users”)
Information systems exist to achieve business goals and objectives

20. Q4: Why Is the Difference Between Information Technology and Information Systems Important to You?
Products
Methods
Inventions
Standards
IT =hardware + software + data
Information system (IS) = IT plus procedures, and people that produces information

21. Why Is the Difference Between Information Technology and Information Systems Important to You? (cont’d)
Avoid a common mistake: Do not try to buy an IS; you cannot do it.
You can buy IT: Buy or lease hardware, license programs and databases, even obtain predesigned procedures. Ultimately, people execute those procedures to employ that new IT.
Any new system requires training tasks, overcoming employees’ resistance to change, and managing employees as they utilize new system.

22. Q5: What Is Your Role in IS Security?
Security is essential in information systems
Passwords are necessary
Should have a strong password
Protect passwords from others (critical)
Practice proper etiquette
Never write down your password
Do not share it with others
Never ask others for their password

23. Creating a Strong Password
Rules for strong password:
Use seven or more characters
Do not use your real name or company name
Do not use complete dictionary word
Use a different password from previous passwords used
Use upper- and lowercase letters, numbers and special symbols
Examples:
Qw37^T1bb?at
3B47qq<3>5!7bI
wba3:00AMiR,NY

24. Password Etiquette: Mark of a Business Professional
Never write down your password, and do not share it with others
Never ask others for their password
Never give your password to someone else
“do-sa-do” move—one person getting out of way so another person can enter a password—is common and accepted

25. How Does the Knowledge in This Chapter Help Jennifer and You?
Learn Reich’s four key skills: abstract reasoning, systems thinking, experimentation, and collaboration. Then, practice, practice, practice.
Future belongs to business people who creatively envision new applications of information systems and technology. You should be able to innovate use of MIS into discipline in which you major.

26. How Does the Knowledge in This Chapter Help Jennifer and You? (cont’d)
Learn components of an IS and understand that every business professional needs to take an active role in new information systems development
Know difference between IT and IS.
Learn how to create a strong password, use strong passwords and follow professional password etiquette

27. Ethics Guide: Ethics of Misdirected Information Use
You overhear a conversation between a real estate agent and the couple competing with you to purchase a condo.
Should you listen?
Should you use the information you hear?
You receive same information above through an accidentally sent to your inbox.
Should you read the ?
Should you use the information to your advantage?

28. Ethics Guide: Ethics of Misdirected Information Use (cont’d)
While selling computer software, a customer mistakenly sends you an internal that contains maximum amount they can pay.
Q: Do you share the with others?
Q: Do you notify the person who sent it?
Q: Do you use the information or recuse yourself from the deal?
Q: What’s the ethical thing to do? What’s the best long-term business thing to do? Explain.

29. Ethics Guide: Ethics of Misdirected Information Use (cont’d)
A friend inadvertently s you personal medical data. You read the and learn embarrassing information about the friend.
Q: What should you say?
Q: Your friend asks if you read the .

30. Ethics Guide: Ethics of Misdirected Information Use (cont’d)
You are a network administrator with unrestricted access to mailing lists. You insert your address into several lists and receive confidential information. One shows that your best friend’s department is going to be eliminated.
Q: Do you warn him?

31. Guide: Duller Than Dirt
Why are you in this course? In college?
Waking up to your life should be a goal while in college.
MIS is all-encompassing of business topic.
How can you make this class relevant to you?
Challenge: Find something personally important to you in every chapter.

32. Active Review
Q1: Why is Introduction to MIS the most important class in the business school?
Q2: What is an information system?
Q3: What is MIS?
Q4: Why is the difference between information technology and information systems important to you?
Q5: What is your role in IS security?
How does the knowledge in this chapter help Jennifer and you?

33. Case Study 1: Getty Images Serves Up Profit and YouTube Grows Exponentially
Data storage and transmission are virtually free, which provides abundant opportunities
Examples:
YouTube
Getty Images sells electronic pictures over Internet
Variable cost of production zero
Revenue goes straight to bottom line
Went from an idea to $1.65 billion business in 20 months

34. Case Study 1: Getty Images Serves Up Profit and YouTube Grows Exponentially (cont’d)
How can you use free data communications and data storage in your business?
In a job interview, how might you suggest that your prospective employer use such resources?

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All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Printed in the United States of America.
Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc.  
Publishing as Prentice Hall