Ch 9: What is Software?

Business Intelligence

use data created by other systems to provide reporting and analysis for organizational decision making

Desktop software

Applications installed on a personal computer, typically supporting tasks performed by a single user

Application Software

It performs the work that users and firms are directly interested in accomplishing -more apps=more valuable

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)

Software package that integrates many functions -accounting, finance, vendors, sales, inventory, purchasing, payroll 1. sales 2. inventory 3. manufacturing 4. HR 5. purchasing 6. order tracking 7. decision support

Software Package

Software products offered by commercial 3rd party

Computing hardware

physical components of IT -computer, storage devices, mouse, printers -faster and cheaper

Server

program that fulfills request of a client 1. hardware context: server is a computer configured to support requests from other computers 2. software context: server is a program that fulfills requests ex) WWW

Application Programming Interface (API)

programming guidelines published by firms that tell other programs how to get a service to perform a task (send and receive data)

Application server

software that houses and serves business logic for use by multiple applications

Firmware

-Software stored on nonvolatile memory chips (as opposed to being stored on devices such as hard drives or removable discs) -Despite the seemingly permanent nature of firmware, many products allow for firmware to be upgraded online or by connecting to another device

Total Costs of Ownership (TCO)

1. Support 2. Training 3. Compliance auditing 4. Security and backup 5. Provisions for disaster recovery 6. Maintenance

Enterprise Software

Database: SCM, ERP (platforms), CRM (eCRM), BI (data assets) Applications that address the needs of multiple users throughout an organization or work group 1. Enterprise 2. Upper market 3. Mid market 4. Lower market 5. Shrink wrap market

Database DBSM

Software for creating, maintaining and manipulating data -above OS in layer cake Database-DBMS-SQL-applications, eCommerce, web portal etc

Hardware/Software Layer Cake

User Application (Microsoft Office, Orade, Angry Birds) Operating System (Windows, Linux, Mac OSX, iOS) Hardware -flexibility of layers

Service oriented architecture (SOA)

robust set of web services built around an organization's processes and procedures

Web services

small pieces of code accessed via application server which permit interoperable machine to machine interaction over a network

Client

software programs that make requests of server programs ex) internet makes requests (find this website)

Embedded Systems

-Special-purpose software designed and included inside physical products (often on firmware) -They help make devices smarter, sharing usage information, helping diagnose problems, indicating maintenance schedules, providing alerts, or enabling devices to take orders from other systems -enabled by Moore's Law

Tech as CA

1. Proprietary 2. Infrastructural

Software

A computer program or a collection of programs, it is a precise set of instructions that tells hardware what to do

Proprietary technology

Defined as a technology that can be owned actually or effectively by one company. -Pharmaceutical Company: Patent on Compound`

Infrastructural Technology

Defined as technology that can not be protected and in contrast to proprietary technology is worth more to the economy as a whole when shared -Railroad or Electricity -IT

Does IT Matter?

IT is Abundant Vanishing Return It is now a commodity Value is in the business

Applications

Includes desktop applications, enterprise software, utilities, and other programs that perform specific tasks for user and organizations

Supply Chain management

Systems that help a firm manage assets of its value chain, flow of raw materials into firm through delivery of finished products/services at point of consumption -supply, product, distribute, sell -suppliers, manufacturers, warehouses, stores, customers

Operating System

The software that controls the computer hardware and establishes standards for developing and executing applications; common set of controls -Every computing and specialty device has an operating system (Desktops, laptops, enterprise-class server computers, mobile phone, iPods) -Some firms develop their own proprietary OS for their own hardware -Some firms sell OS to other commercial firms -Some specialty firms help other firms develop operating systems for all sorts of devices that don't necessarily look like a PC

Why do Technology Projects fail?

Unrealistic or unclear project goals Poor project leadership Inaccurate estimates of needed resources Badly defined system requirements Poor reporting Poor communication among customers, developers, and users Unmanaged risks Poor project management Stakeholder politics Commercial pressures

Consumer relationship management (CRM)

system used to support customer relations, sales and marketing activities [sales manage portal + salesperson portal + customer portal]