Study Questions Q1: Why is Introduction to MIS the most important class in the business school? Q2: What is MIS?MIS Q3: How can you use the five-component

Study Questions

Q1: Why is Introduction to MIS the most important class in the business school?

Q2: What is MIS?Q3: How can you use the five-component model?Q4: What is informationQ5: What makes some information better than other

information?Q6: Why is the difference between information

technology and information systems important?Q7: 2020?

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Management_information_system

Q1: Why is Introduction to MIS the most important class in the business school?

We Begin with--What is Moore’s Law?


Moore’s Law

“The number of transistors per square inch on an integrated chip doubles every 18 months.” The speed of a computer chip increases in

proportion to the density of the transistors (i.e., density doubles, speed doubles)

Price/performance ratio of computers has fallen dramatically Computers are smaller Less expensive


Moore’s Law (cont’d)

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What Does this Mean to You? Anyone want to field this question?

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Moore’s Law Effect

Because of Moore’s Law, the cost of data communications and data storage is essentially zero.

What does that mean? What are the implications of that? What are the opportunities?

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Consider This…most didn’t exist before 2005 YouTube iPhone Facebook Second Life

Hulu Twitter LinkedIn DropBox


What implications does that hold for IS professionals in the near future?

First Reason why MIS is the Most Important Class Future business professionals need

to be able to assess, evaluate, and apply emerging information technology to business.

That statement should interest everyone in this room regardless of major or interest.


Notable Quote From Text

“The only job security that exists is a marketable skill and the courage to use it.”


Skills that Workers in the 21st Century will Need

“Rapid technological change and increased international competition place the spotlight on the skills and preparation of the workforce, particularly the ability to adapt to changing technological and shifting demand. Shifts in the nature of organizations…favor strong non-routine cognitive skills.


What are the Requirements for Strong Non-Routine Cognitive Thinking? Abstract reasoning Systems thinking Collaboration Ability to experiment productively


Skill ExamplesSkill Example

Abstraction Systems Thinking Collaboration Experimentation

Construct a model or representation

Model system components show how components’ inputs and outputs relate to one another

Develop ideas and plans with others. Provide and receive critical feedback.

Create and test promising new alternatives, consistent with available resources.


This Course is the Most Important Course in the Business School It will give you the background you

need to assess, evaluate, and apply emerging information systems technology to business

It can give you the ultimate in job security—marketable skills—by helping you learn abstraction, systems thinking, collaboration, and experimentation.


Q2: What is MIS?

MIS = Management Information Systems MIS is the development and use of

information systems that help businesses achieve goals and objectives

Key elements of MIS: Development and use Information systems Business goals and objectives

Next let’s look at what an information system is

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall1-16

What is a System

System: a group of components that interact to achieve some purpose

Keep this in the back of your mind as we move forward with our discussion here in chapter one


Five-Component Framework of an Information System


Simple Example: Your First Class Assignment

Are we using hardware? Are we using software? What about data, is that in there too? Procedures? What do you think? Lastly, people—well of course there…

you!


Complex Example—Airline Reservation System

Does it employ hardware? Software? Any of that used in this example? Data? No data in this example is there?

Perhaps there is after all Any procedures with airlines and reservation?

Of course there is! Finally people—no people needed here right?

Operators, Programmers, Maintenance, etc.


Development and Use of Information Systems

Business professionals need to:1. Take an active role in IS to ensure that systems

meet their needs

2. Understand how IT systems are constructed

3. Consider users’ needs during development

4. Learn how to employ IT systems

5. Take into account ancillary IT functions Security Backup


Afraid of Change?

Are people in general afraid of change? Whichever way you feel, why do you

think that is?


Achieving Business Goals

MIS aids in achieving businesses’ objectives Businesses don’t do anything It’s people within the business that perform work.

Therefore,

MIS empowers users to achieve business objectives Information systems exist to assist business

people Information systems exist to achieve business

goals and objectives


Business People Must Ask IS Related Questions

1. What will the system do for us?

2. What is its purpose?

3. What will using it enable us to do?

4. What goals can we accomplish through its use?

5. How will it aid us in reaching our objectives?

6. Are the costs of maintaining the page sufficiently offset by the benefits?


Example: Creating a Facebook Presence for a Company What is the purpose of our facebook

page What is it going to do for us Is Facebook the best choice? She we be using Microsoft Vine,

MySpace, etc. instead? Are there unforeseen complications

or side effects with adopting this new project?


Q3: How Can You Use the Five-Component Model?Computer Side Includes:

1. Hardware2. Software

Bridge Includes:1. Data

Human Side Includes:1. Procedures

Methods, standards, protocols, etc.

2. People You are the most important part of an information

system!


Supporting Example of the Importance of You! Suppose you have developed an information

system that can predict the future The system tells you that Walt Disney is going

to pass on on Dec. 15, 1966 Say you have 50,000 dollars to invest—would

you buy or short Disney stock and why? Walt Disney, like many other master artists,

value rises after they pass on. Your ability to analyze and cognitive apply

information models is crucial to the quality of the decision that is made with a “perfect” IS.


Low Tech vs High Tech Information Systems

Consider… Customer support information system with an email file

and program—High or Low tech and why? Now how about a customer support information system

that collects all data and automatically generates emails when criteria is reached—High or Low tech and why?

Refer back to figure 4 page 11 People resist change


Some Class Examples

American Express Low tech or high tech?

Gestalt Face Information research Information storage and retrieval Low tech or high tech?


What is the Scope of a Proposed New System—Applying the Five Component FrameworkProposed NEW IS Pitched to

Your Corporation

How big of an investment are we talking about here?

What new hardware is needed?

What programs will you need to license or build?

What databases will be needed?

What types of existing and new data will be needed?

What new procedures will need to be created for use and administration of the proposed system?

And finally, what impact will the new system have on our people Which jobs change? Who needs training? How will the new technology

impact morale? Will you need new hires? Will your company need to

reorganize? Weigh all this against the

potential benefits of the system.


Agree or Disagree with this Statement?

The components show on page 11 (figure 4) are in order of ease of change and the amount of organizational disruption—agree or disagree? Hardware—easy to change? Software—easy to change? Data—easy to change? Procedures—easy to change? People—easy to change?


Q4: What is Information

Information: Knowledge derived from data

Data: Data is recorded facts or figures

Mary Jones earns $25.00; James Smith Earns $17.50—Data or Information?

Average of all aerobic instructors is $22.37 is information because it is derived from the data of individual wages

Jeff Parks earns $10.00 per hour –Data

The statement that Jeff Parks earns less than half the average hourly wage of the aerobics instructors—Information

Information is data processed in some way to form a meaningful content through witch knowledge is gained.


Discuss Ethics Handout

Q5: What Makes Some Information Better (More Valuable) Than Other Information? Is Accurate information more valuable than

inaccurate information? Is Timely information more valuable? Is Relevant information more valuable? Is Just Barely Sufficient information more

valuable? Worth Its Cost information more valuable

Daily report of the occupants of a full graveyard?

Candy stick storage costs at Cracker Barrel exp.


Q6: What is the Difference Between Information Technology and Information Systems?

Information Technology is the hardware, software, data, and even possibly purchased procedures Building Blocks that are used for your organization’s people to create a valuable organizational information system with.


Q7: 2020?

What will computers look like? IPad example use

Everything can “potentially” be a computer Connected pacemaker in an individual Other examples you can think of?

What about its impact on education? What do you think going forward?

What other areas/technological landscapes will look different?


Documents

Study Questions Q1: Why is Introduction to MIS the most important class in the business school? Q2: What is MIS?MIS Q3: How can you use the five-component