• 1.1: Understanding Information Technology

    • Achieving Efficiency and Effectiveness through Systems Book

      This chapter discusses the four components of information systems and the role information technology plays in business. Read it to gain a basic understanding of these two critical topics, then attempt the two case studies and answer the questions that accompany each case.

    • Moore's Law: Fast, Cheap Computing and What It Means for the Manager Book

      Moore's Law, named for the co-founder of Intel Gordon Moore, defines expected advances in the need for data storage over time. In reality, it defines much more, beyond simply data storage. Read this chapter and attempt the exercises to gain a broader understanding of the importance and costs associated with Information Systems.

    • Performance Through Time Book
      Read these sections. Think about the evolution of technology over time and how many technology delivery tools have changed in your lifetime, from computing devices to smartphones. Consider the author's claim that management does matter. As the competitive landscape and technology change rapidly, s you saw with Moore's Law, consider how a business can use strategy to take a proactive approach toward strategic growth over time.
    • Creating Winning IT Strategies Page

      Every enterprise strategy has multiple competing pressures. As you watch, think about the day to day operations of an organization in terms of these pressures. First, there is the demand side of the business and gaining a competitive advantage. On the control side, there are the enterprise systems and processes driving information systems strategy. A third critical aspect is the supply aspect of the system by which we are managing our data and interactions with customers.

    • Introduction to Information Systems Book

      The "Harry Potter" example that leads off this reading provides an excellent example of pre-planning, organized business processes, and the need for flexibility in information systems. Each Potter volume increased the pre-orders exponentially, and Amazon used its prior experiences to create policies and practices designed to improve customer experience. As you will see, business processes are a blueprint for success, supported by technology, information systems, and a range of other required services.