Chapter 1 Review
XYZ Zippers, Inc. wants to develop a new sales system that account executives can access over the Internet with a back-end customer sales repository that would be customizable through the years. For this project, for what three positions should XYZ hire and why?
A Web designer to create the www interface, a database administrator to manage the customer sales repository, and an applications programmer to develop the new application
A venture capital firm needs a couple of organizational information systems to provide analysis of cash flows and effects of any changes made to those cash flow inputs. In addition, it needs a system to present real-time information on current status of cash flows and market prices. Which two systems would you recommend it use, and why?
A decision support system designed to provide "what-if" scenarios around finance components, and an executive dashboard to present structured, summarized information to executives.
The advancement of technology has produced many positives and negatives around the quality of life of the average IT worker. Which of the following examples BEST illustrates the impact of technology on the quality of life, and why?
An improvement to the quality of life would be the ability to work from home; a decline in the quality of life would be being constantly surrounded by work-related technology.
Managing information systems in a modern organization is challenging because:
Both: the systems are very expensive to acquire, operate, and maintain the systems are critical to the organization's operations
The ________ is the highest-ranking IS manager and is responsible for all strategic planning in the organization.
CIO
The top technology job is _________.
CIO
Which of the following is in the current order starting with the most elementary?
Data, Information, Knowledge
Your professor hands you a piece of paper with the number 75 on it and tells you this is your current average in the class. This is ________.
Information
A Network is a connecting system that can only be wireless
False
Process and procedures are important but not critical to the effective use of computer-based information systems.
False
TPS stands for Transfer Processing Systems?
False
________ offers flat rates, promises quick response times, and provides maps in their apps that display the location of the company vehicle with real-time updates.
Honk
The ________ manages all systems throughout the organization and the day-to-day operations of the entire IS organization.
IS Director
Which of the following is a negative societal effect associated with the increased use of information technology?
It can place employees on constant call
Which of the following is TRUE of Baxter?
It works right out of the box and can be integrated into a factory's workflow in about one hour
Which of the following is the MOST likely result of a hospital utilizing IT improvements in healthcare delivery?
Margaret, a neurosurgeon, is able to plan a difficult surgery by using virtual reality
Margaret Hatcher was hired to perform consultative functions for the MIS department at MI5. In her preparation, she has isolated four strategic points to address when she begins her work: 1. Educating the MIS staff on the core business; 2. Managing outsourcing; 3. Managing computer operations; and 4. Incorporating the internet into the business. Do these four points align with her consultative function in the MIS department? Why or why not?
No, choice 3 (managing computer operations) is a traditional function of the MIS department not a consultative function of the MIS department
The CIA needs to figure out if Mr. McKern, whom the MIS department hired to perform consultative functions, did his job correctly. They identified four points to address when he began his work: 1. Educating the MIS staff on the core business; 2. Managing outsourcing; 3. Managing computer operations; 4. Incorporating the internet into the business. Do these four points align with his consultative function in the MIS department?
No, choice 3 (managing computer operations) is a traditional function of the MIS department not a consultative function of the MIS department
Bill Masterson, as a Chief Information Security officer, needed to ensure that system administrators were using information systems legally. He hired a systems analyst to oversee and create a business program designed to audit administrators' usage. Was this the best choice for the role? Why or why not?
No, he should have hired an auditor or a computer security manager to oversee the ethical and legal use of information systems.
After a dramatic increase in demand, your paracord bracelet manufacturing collective was told by your partner's mother (who had talked to an IS sales representative) that the collective needed a TPS because it had decision-making functions involving transaction monitoring, transaction collection, and transaction processing and storage for the products you sell. Did you get the correct information on what a TPS can do? Why or why not?
No. A TPS does not provide decision-making functions
Guitar Thrashers, Inc. is experiencing a demand surge for its guitar picks. Under the impression they need a transaction processing system, the owners hired a consultant who relayed TPS support, collection, processing, storage, and decision-making functions around the products that they sell. Is the consultant correct in his synopsis of a TPS? Why or why not?
No. A TPS does not provide decision-making functions
Bob Barnes has a barnacle cleaning service in which he services local recreational harbors and a couple of industrial shipyards. He is worried about the possibility of robots taking his business away and hires a consultant for an analysis on the current market. The consultant states that he won't accept payment because he knows that robots won't be able to do specialized jobs such as Bob's for a very long time, and they would also have a hard time operating under water. Was the consultant correct? Why or why not?
No. Manual jobs such as cleaning and scraping are already being performed by robots. There are also pool-cleaning robots that function well under water.
Chuck does underwater welding, working on boat hulls, propeller shafts, and rudders so that boats don't have to be put in a dry dock for certain repairs. He is worried about robots taking his business away and wants to hire a consultant to see if his fears are justified. The consultant states that he won't accept payment for that job because he already knows that robots won't be able to do specialized jobs like Chuck's for a very long time and that robots would have a hard time working under water, as well. Is the consultant correct? Why or why not?
No. Robots are already performing dangerous jobs like welding, and robots can perform in various environments, including under water.
A small grocery store chain owner in the San Francisco area is having difficulties getting certain products in to the market while other products seem to be sitting on the shelves. In addition, he has had discrepancies in meat prices changing day-to-day without receiving updates. A consultant advised that an electronic commerce system would be a good IT investment, as it will help alleviate these transactional dilemmas. Is the consultant correct, and why?
No. The grocery store owner is having a supply chain management issue where the flow of products and information is being interrupted, as evidenced by the price updates and product unavailability. A supply chain management system would be prudent.
Sebastian's boss wants a pro and con list from him detailing some of the impacts of introducing IT to the end of their tea production line, specifically the part where the boxes of tea bags get sorted, put in cartons, and prepared for shipping. This would involve an automated system to sort the boxes, package the boxes into cartons, and send the cartons to the proper shipping areas with computer controls along the way to direct the handling of different products. Of the following pro and con lists, which BEST describes the impact on employees of the IT changes they are considering, and why?
Pro: Replacing manual sorting and packaging with a computer-controlled system would allow the company to utilize workers in wheelchairs to operate the computers. Con: The repetitive task of typing at the control computers would cause repetitive strain industries
Jill Riley's boss has asked her to put together a list of pros and cons for introducing information technology into their dairy business, specifically how it immediately impacts employees at work. Which of the following of her pros and cons would BEST show the immediate impact of IT on employees at work, and why?
Pro: The milkmaids, who have lost function in their hands, can use voice-activated technology to conduct billing and administrative tasks. Con: The repetitive task of typing could exacerbate repetitive strain injuries suffered by current milkmaids.
Sales and marketing professionals use IT for which of the following functions?
Promotion Analysis Site Analysis
What are 2 IT components in CBIS?
Software and Database
A(n) ________ interfaces between users and programmers and determines information requirements and technical specifications for new applications.
Systems analyst
Lance has been with his company for many years and has seen the gradual transitions from early office electronics to today's modern IT systems. Regarding the impact of changing technology on the quality of life, which of the following examples BEST illustrates what Lance has witnessed?
The ability to work from home has been an improvement to the quality of life, while being constantly surrounded by work-related technology has been a decline in the quality of life
The head trader of a brokerage firm has come to you, the Chief Information Officer, with a request to design a new trade order execution system. After the meeting, you realize you are missing a couple strategic positions in the MIS department to fulfill his request. Scanning the pool of applicants in the HR system and budgeting for two new positions, which two of the following four applicants would be best suited for the trader's request and why: an applications programmer, a database administrator, a systems analyst, and a Web designer.
The systems analyst and the applications programmer because together they can interface between users and programmers, determine requirements and technical specifications, and create the computer code for developing the new application
With your firm expanding into the international marketplace, the head of purchasing now needs a new purchasing system that will handle foreign currencies and their exchange rates. MIS will need help to accomplish this. For budget reasons, HR will let you hire only two new employees, and they give you four applicants to choose from: an applications programmer, a Web designer, a database administrator, and a systems programmer. As the CIO, who do you choose, and why?
The systems analyst and the applications programmer, because together they can interface between users and programmers, determine requirements and technical specifications, and create the computer code for developing the new application.
An App (Application) is a computer program designed to support a specific task?
True
Career opportunities are strong in IS and are projected to remain strong for the next 10 years
True
One impact of IT will be to decrease the numbers of managers employed in organizations.
True
One of the big advantages of being an informed user and consumer of IT is that it enables you to anticipate future innovations and their potential applications.
True
Over the years, the MIS function has changed to a partnership between the MIS department and the end users?
True
________ is an IT system that uses natural language processing and machine learning to reveal insights from large amounts of data. It has transformed many industries including healthcare and customer service.
Watson
It costs $49 to get basic roadside help from Urgent.ly and Honk versus the typical $200 charged by AAA. If tow-truck operators want to list themselves on the Urgent.ly and Honk websites, they _______.
Work as contractors and must add Urgent.ly and Honk to their insurance policies
Roger has seen a big drop in his brokerage business. Few people stop by in person, and even phone calls have noticeably decreased. A business analyst he hired to examine the demand for stock trading services in his community said he had found the problem: technology advances - specifically, software that lets people trade via on-line systems - had disrupted the person-to-person brokerage industry. Is the analyst correct, and why?
Yes. The person-to-person brokerage business has been severely disrupted by financial transaction software designed for popular use
A print film manufacturer of Kodachrome has seen demand for the print film decline almost to zero. Only a few shops in Europe need the product currently. He hired a business analyst to look over the market demands and the print film segment as a whole. The analyst came into the office at the end of the day and declared that he found the problem: the print film industry has been disrupted by advances in technology and software that include digital cameras and websites that print pictures at home. Is the analyst correct, and why?
Yes. The print film industry has been severely disrupted by advances in digital photography and the Internet
A CIO's currency trading firm needs an organizational information system to analyze the flow of different currencies and to indicate the effects of changes in those currency flows. Additionally, the firm needs a system that presents real-time information on currency patterns and exchange rate fluctuations. The CIO should choose
a decision support system designed to provide "what-if" scenarios around finance components, and an executive dashboard to present structured, summarized information to executives
Brandon works long hours at a demanding job. He wants to own a pet but feels like he doesn't have the time or energy needed to keep one happy and alive. He decides to buy a "cyberpooch." This is an example of
a quasi-autonomous device.
A sub-Saharan country's economy has become sophisticated enough where the seven provincial banks need to conduct transactions among themselves and with commercial banks within their province; therefore, they must move from a cash transportation basis to an electronic transfer basis. What type of system should the minister of finance demand the central bank's governor implement within the country's banking system, and why?
an electronic commerce system, since it enables transactions among organizations and between their customers
A food products firm has purchased several small specialty food companies, and it needs to integrate those companies into the firm. This will involve integrating supply chains and distribution channels, as well as merging personnel, payroll, benefits, and other critical systems. There are numerous IS products on the market designed to handle the details of business mergers and acquisitions. The firm needs to start by purchasing an information system that will aid in choosing a subsequent integration system to determine how the companies purchased will impact overall revenues, expenses, and operations. What are the firm's BEST choices, and why?
an enterprise resource planning system to integrate comprehensive business functions, and a decision support system to provide access to analysis and data in "what-if" scenarios
HR information systems, POM information systems, CRM information systems, and marketing information systems are usually classified as:
functional area information systems
Where are quasi-autonomous devices found?
hospitals
IT affects middle managers by ________
increasing their productivity
Walmart shopping cart robots CANNOT (either in reality or potentially)
load the customers car after the purchase and drive back to the store
Janet Seymour works for an existing major software company handling on-site video storage for movie production companies. Which type of industry disruptor should she be most concerned about, and why?
software industry disruptive technologies because cloud products and other SaaS products threaten her on-site storage systems
Dirk Miller creates databases for PC-based video games and has been doing this for 10 years. If he is worried about disruptive technologies, which type of industry disruptor should he be MOST concerned about and why?
software industry disruptive technologies because cloud products and other SaaS products threaten his PC-based database
The ______ industry uses drones to guilt drivers into carpooling.
taxi
Mark is a sales rep for Elemental Pharmaceuticals. He is excited about IT improvements in the healthcare field because
they will allow his company to streamline the research and development of new drugs, giving him more products to sell, and sell them sooner.