Chapter 6 Definitions Flashcards
Data
Numerical or verbal descriptions that usually result from some sort of measurement.
Information
Data presented in a form that is useful for a specific purpose.
Database
A single collection of data and information stored in one place that can be used by people throughout an organization to make decisions.
Knowledge management (KM)
A firm’s procedures for generating, using, and sharing the data and information
Management information system (MIS)
A system that provides managers and employees with the information they need to perform their jobs as effectively as possible.
Information technology (IT) officer
A manager at the executive level who is responsible for ensuring that a firm has the equipment necessary to provide the information the firm’s employees and managers need to make effective decisions.
Data Processing
The transformation of data into a form that is useful for a specific purpose.
Statistic
A measure that summarises a particular characteristic of an entire group of numbers.
Decision-suppert system (DSS)
A type of computer program that provides relevant data and information to help a firm’s employees make decisions.
Executive information system (EIS)
A computer-based system that facilitates and supports the decision-making needs of top managers and senior executives by providing easy access to both internal and external information
Expert system
A type of computer program that uses artificial intelligence to imitate a human’s ability to think.
Groupware
One of the latest types of software that facilitates the management of large projects among geographically dispersed employees as well as such group activities as problem solving and brainstorming.
Collaborative Learning System
A work environment that allows problem solving participation by all team members.
Virtual office
Allows employees to work at any place where they have access to computers, software and other technology that enables them to perform their normal work activities.
Computer Backup
A process of storing data, information, and computer systems on secondary computer systems that can be accessed if a firm’s main computer system fails.
Information society
A society in which large groups of employees generate or depend on information to perform their jobs.
Internet
A worldwide network of computers linked through telecommunications
World Wide Web (the Web)
The Internet’s multimedia environment of audio, visual and text data.
Broadband technology
A general term referring to higher speed internet connections that deliver data, voice and video material
Intranet
A smaller version of the internet for use within a firm’s computer network.
Computer network
A group of two or more computers linked together that allows users to share data and information
Wide-area network (WAN)
A network that connects computers over a large geographic area, such as a city, a state, or even the world.
Local-area network (LAN)
A network that connects computers that are in close proximity to each other, such as an office building or a college campus.
E-business (electronic business)
The organized effort of individuals to produce and sell, for a profit, the products and services that satisfy society’s needs through the facilities available on the Internet.
Outsourcing
The process of finding outside vendors and suppliers that provide professional help, parts, or materials at a lower cost.
Revenue Stream
A source of revenue flowing into a firm.
Business Model
Represents a group of common characteristics and methods of doing business to generate sales revenues and reduce expenses.
Business-to-business (B2B) model
A model used by firms that conduct business with other businesses.
Business-to-consumer (B2C) model
A model used by firms that focus on conducting business with individual consumers.
Social network site
A web site (often called a social site) that functions like an online community of internet users where you can share your profile, messages and photographs with family and friends.
Spamming
The sending of massive amounts of unsolicited e-mails
Cookie
A small piece of software sent by a website that tracks an individual’s internet use.
Log-file records
Files that store a record of the website visited
Data mining
The practice of searching through data records looking for useful information.
Malware
A general term that describes software designed to infiltrate a computer system without the user’s consent
Computer Virus
A software code designed to disrupt normal computer operations
Cloud computing
A type of computer usage in which services stored on the internet are provided to users on a temporary basis.
green IT
A term used to describe all of a firm’s activities to support a healthy environment and sustain the planet.
