Chapter 1 Key terms

Class

A collection of similar objects.

Scalable

Can expand to meet new business requirements and volumes.

Deliverable

In the waterfall model, the result of each phase is called this, which flows into the next phase.

Mission-critical system

One that is vital to a company's operations.

Groupware

These programs enables users to share data, collaborate on projects, and work in teams. Novell's GroupWise and Google Docs are two popular examples of this.

Strategic plans

Top managers develop long-range planes which define the company's overall mission and goals.

Feasibility study

A key part of the preliminary investigation is this that reviews anticipated costs and benefits and recommends a course of action based on operational, technical, economic, and time factors.

Server farm

A large concentration of servers working together.

Horizontal System

A system, such as an inventory or payroll application, that can be adapted for use in many different types of companies.

Computer-aided systems engineering (CASE)

A technique that uses powerful software to help systems analysts develop and maintain information systems. Also known as Computer-aided software engineering.

Computer-aided software engineering (CASE)

A technique that uses powerful software to help systems analysts develop and maintain information systems. Also known as Computer-aided systems engineering.

B2B (business-to-business)

A type of transaction that exists between businesses, such as one involving a manufacturer and wholesaler, or a wholesaler and a retailer.

Systems analyst

A valued member of the IT department team who helps plan, develop, and maintain information systems.

Agile methods

Also known as Adaptive methods. Stresses intense team-based effort. Breaks development into cycles, or iterations that add functionality. Each Cycle is designed, built, and tested in an ongoing process. Attempts to reduce major risks by incremental steps in short time intervals.

Adaptive methods

Also known as Agile methods. Stresses intense team-based effort. Breaks development into cycles, or iterations that add functionality. Each Cycle is designed, built, and tested in an ongoing process. Attempts to reduce major risks by incremental steps in short time intervals.

Enterprise resource planning (ERP)

Applications called ___ systems provide cost-effective support for users and managers throughout the company.

Systems planning phase

Begins with a formal request to the IT department which describes problems or desired changes in an information system or a business process.

B2C (business-to-consumer)

Business or transactions conducted directly between a company and consumers who are the end-users of its products or services.

Properties

Characteristics which the object inherits from its class or possess on its own.

Object

Combination of data and process that act on that data.

Information systems

Combines technology, people, and data to provide support for business functions such as order processing, inventory control, human resources, accounting, and many more

Data

Consists of basic facts that are the system's raw material.

Hardware

Consists of everything in the physical layer of the information system.

Application software

Consists of programs that support day-to-day business functions and provide users with the information they need.

Information

Data that has been transformed into output that is valuable to users.

Business rules

Defines or constrains some aspect of business and always resolves to either true or false. Business rules are intended to assert business structure or to control or influence the behavior of the business

Process

Describe the tasks and business functions that users, managers, and IT staff members perform to achieve specific results.

Systems request

Describes problems or desired changes in an information system or a business process.

Systems implementation phase

During this, the new system is constructed.

Electronic data interchange (EDI)

Electronic commerce between two companies use a data sharing arrangement. This enabled computer-to-computer data transfer, usually over private telecommunications lines. Firms used this to plan production, adjust inventory levels, or stock up on raw materials using data from another company's information systems.

Enterprise applications

Examples of company-wide applications include order processing systems, payroll systems, and company communications networks.

Product-oriented

Examples of this are computers, routers, or microchips.

Service-oriented

Examples of this are consultants, vendors, software developers, and service providers.

User productivity systems

Examples of this include e-mail, voice mail, fax, video and Web conferencing, word processing, automated calendars, database management, spreadsheets, desktop publishing, presentation graphics, company intranets, and integrated mobile computing systems.

Moore's Law

In 1965, Gordon Moore, a cofounder of Intel, predicted that the number of transistors on an integrated circuit chip would double about every 24 months.

Waterfall model

In this, the result of each phase is called a deliverable, which flows into the next phase.

Technical support

Includes seven main functions: application development, systems support and security, user support, database administration, network administration, Web support, and quality assurance.

I-commerce (internet commerce)

Internet-based commerce. Also known as E-commerce (electronic commerce).

E-commerce (electronic commerce)

Internet-based commerce. Also known as I-commerce (Internet commerce).

System

Is a set of related components that produces specific results.

Systems analysis and design

Is a step-by-step process for developing high-quality information systems.

Vertical system

Is designed to meet the unique requirements of a specific business or industry, such as a Web-based retailer, a medical practice, or an auto dealership.

Knowledge base

Knowledge management systems use a large database called this that allows users to find information by entering keywords or questions in normal English phrases

Inference rules

Logical rules that identify data patterns and relationships.

System software

Manages the hardware components, which can include a single workstation or a global network with many thousands clients.

Stakeholders

People who have an interest in an information system. Include the management group responsible for the system, the users inside and outside the company who will interact with the system, and IT staff members, such as systems analysts, programs, and network administrators who develop and support the system.

Modeling

Produces a graphical representation of a concept or process that systems develops can analyze, test, and modify.

Help desk

Provides users with technical information, training, and productivity support. Also called a service desk.

Information technology (IT)

Refers to the combination of hardware, software, and services that people use to manage, communicate, and share information.

Software

Refers to the programs that control the hardware and produce the desired information or results.

Spiral model

Represents a series of iterations, or revisions, based on user feedback.

Structured analysis

Represents the system in terms of data and the processes that act upon that data. System development is organized into phases, with deliverables and milestones to measure progress. The waterfall model typically consists of five phases.

Business process modeling notation (BPMN)

Similar to BPM, this includes standard shapes and symbols to represent events, processes, workflows and more. To create this, you can use a multipurpose application such as Microsoft Visio or a CASE tool such as Visual Analyst.

Users

Sometimes called end users. People inside and outside the company who will interact with the system.

Systems development life cycle (SDLC)

Structured analysis uses a series of phases to plan, analyze, design, implement, and support an information system.

Systems support and security phase

The IT staff maintains, enhances, and protects the system. Maintenance changes correct errors and adapt to changes in the environment. Enhancements provide new features and benefits. Security controls safeguard the system from both external and internal threats.

Critical thinking skills

The ability to compare, classify, evaluate, recognize patterns, analyze cause-and-effect, and apply logic.

System design specification

The deliverable for the systems design phase is this, which is presented to management and users for review and approval.

Management information systems (MIS)

The new systems were called his because managers were the primary users.

Radio frequency identification (RFID)

The newest development in data acquisition is called this, which uses high-frequency radio waves to track physical objects.

System analysis phase

The purpose of this is to build a logical model of the new system.

Systems design phase

The purpose of this is to create a physical model that will satisfy all documented requirements for the system.

Preliminary investigation

The purpose of this phase is to perform this to evaluate an IT-related business opportunity or problem.

Corporate culture

The set of beliefs, rules traditions, values, and attitudes that define a company and influence its way of doing business.

System requirements document

This describes management and user requirements, costs and benefits, and outlines alternative development strategies.

Business model

This describes the information that a system must provide.

Business process model (BPM)

This graphically displays one or more business processes.

Business process

This is a specific set of transactions, events, and results that can be described and documented.

Prototype

This is an early working version of an information system.

Business profile

This is an overview of a company's mission, functions, organization, products, services, customers, suppliers, competitors, constraints and future direction.

Project management

This is the process of planning, scheduling, monitoring, controlling, and reporting upon the development of an information system.

Transaction processing (TP) systems

This process data generated by day-to-day business operations.

CASE tools

This provides an overall framework for systems development and support a wide variety of design methodologies, including structured analysis and object-oriented analysis.

Business support systems

This provides job-related information support to users at all levels of a company.

Supply chain

This refers to all companies who provide materials, services, and functions needed to provide a product to a customer.

Enterprise computing

This refers to information systems that support company-wide operations and data management requirements.

Rapid application development (RAD)

This resembles a condensed version of the entire SDLC, with users involved very step of the way.

Empowerment

This trend gives employees more responsibility and accountability.

Data flow diagram (DFD)

This uses various symbols and shapes to represent data flow, processing and storage.

Certification

This verifies that an individual demonstrated a certain level of knowledge and skill on a standardized test.

Supply chain management (SCM)

Used by most large firms and government agencies.

Joint application development (JAD)

User-oriented technique for fact-finding and requirements modeling.

Object-oriented analysis

Views the system in terms of objects that combine data and processes. The objects represent actual people, things, transactions, and events. Compared to structured analysis, these phases tend to be more iterative. Can use the waterfall model or the model that stresses greater iteration.

Legacy systems

When planning an information system, a company must consider how a new system will interface with older systems.

Requirements modeling

Where you investigate business processes and document what the new system must do to satisfy users.

Iterative

team based effort and short-term milestones helped keep quality up and costs down.