Exam 1 Flashcards
1
Q
What does MIS stand for?
A
Management Information Systems
2
Q
What is the primary focus of Management Information Systems?
A
Planning for, developing, implementing, and maintaining IT hardware, software, and applications.
3
Q
What is the textbook used for this course?
A
Business Driven Technology 10e by Paige Baltzan
4
Q
Fill in the blank: The __________ is an important enabler of business success and innovation.
A
Information Technology
5
Q
What are the core drivers of the information age?
A
- Data
- Information
- Business Intelligence
- Knowledge
6
Q
What does IoT stand for?
A
Internet of Things
7
Q
What is defined as raw facts that describe the characteristics of an event or object?
A
Data
8
Q
What type of data is stored in a traditional system such as a relational database?
A
Structured data
9
Q
What is big data?
A
A collection of large, complex data sets, including structured and unstructured data, which cannot be analyzed using traditional database methods and tools.
10
Q
What are the four characteristics of big data?
A
- Variety
- Veracity
- Volume
- Velocity
11
Q
What is the difference between a static report and a dynamic report?
A
Static report is created once based on unchanging data; dynamic report changes automatically during creation.
12
Q
What does CRM stand for?
A
Customer Relationship Management
13
Q
What does ERP stand for?
A
Enterprise Resource Planning
14
Q
What does VPN stand for?
A
Virtual Private Network
15
Q
What is Business Intelligence?
A
Information collected from multiple sources that analyzes patterns, trends, and relationships for strategic decision making.
16
Q
What is Systems Thinking?
A
A way of monitoring the entire system by viewing multiple inputs being processed or transformed to produce outputs while continuously gathering feedback.
17
Q
What is the role of a Knowledge Worker?
A
Individuals valued for their ability to interpret and analyze information.
18
Q
True or False: U.S. businesses invest heavily in technology to maximize profits.
A
True
19
Q
What is the significance of the Internet of Things (IoT)?
A
Interconnected Internet-enabled devices that can collect and share data without human intervention.
20
Q
Fill in the blank: __________ data is created by machines without human intervention.
A
Machine-generated
21
Q
What is the definition of Analytics?
A
The science of fact-based decision making.
22
Q
What is the course’s attendance policy regarding MS Teams?
A
If you must quarantine, let the instructor know in advance and participate online until class concludes.
23
Q
What is the expected revenue investment for U.S. businesses in technology?
A
2 – 4% of revenue every year
24
Q
Why do businesses invest heavily in MIS?
A
To increase revenue, reduce costs, and ultimately maximize profits.
25
What are the main categories of technology?
Hardware, Software, and Services.
26
List the seven different computer categories.
* Smartphone/Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)
* Notebook/Laptop
* Tablet
* Desktop/Workstation
* Minicomputer
* Mainframe computer
* Supercomputer
27
Define Information Technology (IT).
Any computer-based tool that people use to work with information and support the information and information-processing needs of an organization.
28
What does hardware consist of?
The physical devices associated with a computer system.
29
What is software?
The set of instructions that the hardware executes to carry out specific tasks.
30
What are services in the context of information technology?
The techniques and methodologies companies employ to implement and support their information technology.
31
What is a smartphone?
A small hand-held phone or computer.
32
What is a notebook/laptop computer?
A fully functional computer designed to be carried around and run on battery power.
33
Describe a tablet computer.
A touch-based computer that provides the screen capabilities of a PDA with the functional capabilities of a notebook or a desktop computer.
34
What is a desktop computer?
Available in a horizontal system with a monitor on top or a vertical system (called a tower) usually placed on the floor.
35
What is a minicomputer?
Designed to meet the computing needs of several people simultaneously in a small to medium-size business environment.
36
What characterizes a mainframe computer?
Designed to meet the computing needs of hundreds of people in a large business environment.
37
What defines a supercomputer?
The fastest, most powerful, and most expensive type of computer.
38
What is a computer?
An electronic device operating under the control of instructions stored in its own memory that can accept, manipulate, and store data.
39
List the hardware components of a computer.
* Input device
* Output device
* Central processing unit (CPU)
* Primary Storage
* Secondary Storage
* Communication device
40
What is the function of an input device?
A tool used to capture information and commands.
41
Name some common input devices.
* Keyboard
* Microphone
* Mouse
* Touch screen
* Scanner
42
What is an output device?
Equipment used to see, hear, or otherwise accept the results of information processing.
43
List some examples of output devices.
* Monitors
* Printers
* Speakers
44
What is the Central Processing Unit (CPU)?
The actual hardware that interprets and executes the software instructions and coordinates how all the other hardware devices work together.
45
What are the two primary parts of a CPU?
* Control unit
* Arithmetic/Logic unit (ALU)
46
What does the control unit do in a CPU?
Interprets software instructions and tells the other hardware devices what to do.
47
What is the function of the Arithmetic/Logic Unit (ALU)?
Performs all arithmetic operations and all logic operations.
48
What determines the speed of a CPU?
The number of CPU cycles per second.
49
What is Primary Storage?
The computer’s main memory, which consists of RAM, cache memory, and ROM directly accessible to the CPU.
50
What is Random Access Memory (RAM)?
Temporary storage that holds the operating system, the application software, and the current information.
51
What is Read-Only Memory (ROM)?
The portion of a computer’s primary storage that does not lose its contents when power is switched off.
52
List common secondary storage devices.
* Floppy disks
* Hard drive
* CD-R
* DVD-R
53
What is a binary digit (bit)?
The smallest unit of information that a computer can process.
54
What is a byte?
A group of eight bits.
55
What does ASCII stand for?
American Standard Code for Information Interchange.
56
What is the function of an expansion bus?
Moves information from the CPU and RAM to all of the other hardware devices.
57
What is an expansion slot?
A long skinny socket on the motherboard into which an expansion card is inserted.
58
What is the purpose of ports in a computer system?
The plug-ins found on the outside of the system box into which a connector is plugged.
59
What is Bluetooth?
A standard for transmitting information in the form of short-range radio waves.
60
What is Wi-Fi?
A standard for transmitting information in the form of radio waves over distances up to about 300 feet.
61
What are the two main types of software?
* System software
* Application software
62
What is the role of system software?
Handles tasks specific to technology management and coordinates the interaction of all technology devices.
63
What is utility software?
Provides additional functionality to the operating system.
64
Give examples of application software.
* Enterprise Resource Planning
* Customer Relationship Management
* Payroll
* Word Processing
65
What is vertical market software?
Application software that is unique to a particular industry.
66
What is horizontal market software?
General enough to be suitable for use in a variety of industries.
67
What is a network?
A communications, data exchange and resource sharing system created by linking two or more devices and establishing standards.
68
What are the two main benefits of a network?
* The ability to communicate
* The ability to share/collaborate
69
What is a Local Area Network (LAN)?
Connects network devices over a relatively short distance like an office building or home.
70
What is a Wide Area Network (WAN)?
Spans a large geographic area, such as a state or country.
71
What is a Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)?
Interconnects users in a geographic area or region larger than a local area network but smaller than a wide area network.
72
What are the four differentiating factors of networks?
* Architecture
* Topology
* Protocols
* Media
73
What are the two primary types of network architectures?
* Peer-to-peer (P2P) network
* Client/server (C/S) network
74
Define a Peer-to-Peer (P2P) network.
A network without a central file server, where all devices have access to resources located on all other devices.
75
What is a Client/Server network?
A model for applications where the bulk of the back-end processing takes place on a server, while the front-end processing is handled by clients.
76
What is the role of a client in a Client/Server network?
A device that is designed to request information from a server.
77
What is the role of a server in a Client/Server network?
A computer dedicated to providing information in response to external requests.
78
What does topology refer to in networking?
The physical arrangement of computers and other network devices in a network.
79
List the five principal topologies used in LANs.
* Bus
* Star
* Ring
* Hybrid
* Wireless
80
Describe the Bus topology.
All devices are connected to a central cable, called the bus or backbone.
81
Describe the Star topology.
All devices are connected to a central device, called a hub.
82
Describe the Ring topology.
All devices are connected in a closed loop, with each device directly connected to two others.
83
What is a Hybrid topology?
Groups of star-configured workstations connected to a linear bus backbone cable.
84
What is a protocol in networking?
A standard that specifies the format of data and the rules to be followed during transmission.
85
What is the most common protocol for LAN connected computers?
Ethernet
86
What is the most common telecommunication protocol?
Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)
87
What are some major applications of TCP/IP?
* File transfer protocol (FTP)
* Simple mail transfer protocol (SMTP)
* Telnet protocol
* Hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP)
* Simple network management Protocol (SNMP)
88
What is a proxy server?
A computer system that functions as a relay between the client and the server.
89
What is the purpose of a firewall?
To block unauthorized access while permitting authorized communication.
90
What is a transmission medium?
The physical path used to carry a signal between a transmitter and a receiver.
91
What are the two types of media in networking?
* Wired (Guided)
* Wireless (Unguided)
92
What are the three most common types of wired media?
* Twisted-pair wiring
* Coaxial cable
* Fiber optic cable
93
What is wireless media?
Natural parts of the Earth’s environment that can be used as physical paths to carry electrical signals.
94
List examples of wireless media.
* Radio waves
* Microwaves
* Infrared light waves
95
What is a network adapter?
Hardware installed in computers that enables them to communicate on a network.
96
What is the function of a modem?
To enable a computer to transmit data over telephone or cable lines by converting digital data to analog waves and vice versa.
97
What is the purpose of repeaters in networking?
To increase the distance over which a network signal can be transmitted.
98
What do concentrators, hubs, and switches provide?
A common physical connection point for computing devices.
99
What is the function of a router?
To connect networks that use similar protocols.
100
What is a network operating system (NOS)?
An operating system that includes special functions for connecting computers and devices into a local area network.
101
What are the two categories of network operating systems?
* Client-server
* Peer-to-peer
102
What is the World Wide Web (www)?
A giant Client Server environment where information is managed through Web sites on computers called Web servers.
103
Fill in the blank: The hardware stack includes _______.
[Hardware]
104
Fill in the blank: The software stack includes _______.
[Network OS]
105
Fill in the blank: Middleware is part of the _______.
[Technology Stack]
106
Why DO businesses invest so heavily (as much as 2 to 4% of revenue) in computers, networks, databases & software?
To INCREASE revenues, REDUCE costs and ultimately MAXIMIZE the enterprises profits!
107
So, how do computers, networks, databases and software help an organization increase revenue, reduce costs and maximize profits?
They ASSIST an organization in CREATING, MAINTAINING or OVERCOMING a Competitive Advantage!
108
Competitive Advantage
a product or service that an organization’s customers value more highly than similar offerings from a competitor.
109
First-mover advantage
occurs when an organization significantly impacts its position by being first with a competitive advantage.
110
competitors to microsoft windows
Apple’s Operating Systems (OS X and iOS)
Various Linux/Android builds
111
Competitive Intelligence
– The process of gathering information about the competitive environment, including competitors’ plans, activities and products to improve the company’s ability to succeed.
112
Competitive intelligence tools include
1) SWOT Analysis
2) Porter’s Five Forces Model
3) Porter’s Three Generic Strategies
4) Porter’s Value Chain Analysis
113
SWOT Analysis
for identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats
114
Porter’s Five Forces Model
for evaluating industry attractiveness
1) buyer power
2) supplier power
3) threat of substitute products or services
4) threat of new entrants
5) rivalry among existing competitors
115
Porter’s Three Generic Strategies
for choosing business focus
116
Porter’s Value Chain Analysis
for executing business strategies
117
buyer power
high when buyers have many choices of whom to buy from and low when their choices are few
118
supplier power
high when buyers have few choices of whom to buy from and low when their choices are many
119
Threat of substitute products or services
high when there are many alternatives to a product or service and low when there are few alternatives from which to choose
120
Threat of new entrants
high when it is easy for new competitors to enter a market and low when there are significant entry barriers to entering a market
121
Rivalry among existing competitors
high when competition is fierce in a market and low when competition is more complacent
122
loyalty programs...
reduce a buyer's power
123
Business to business marketplaces
an Internet-based service which brings together many buyers and sellers.
124
Private Exchanges
a single buyer posts its needs and then opens the bidding to suppliers
125
Reverse Auctions
An auction format in which increasingly lower bids are solicited from organizations willing to supply the desired product or service
126
Switching costs
costs that can make customers reluctant to switch to another product or service.
127
Entry Barrier
a product or service feature that customers have come to expect from organizations in a particular industry and must be offered by a new organization to compete and survive
128
Porter's 3 Strategies
1) Broad cost leadership
2) Broad differentiation
3) Focused Strategy
129
Value Chains
1) Business Process
2) Value Chain
130
Business Process
a standard set of activities that accomplish a specific task, such as processing a customer’s order or paying a bill
131
Value Chain
views an organization as a chain of processes, each of which adds value to the product or service
132
Competitive advantage
a product or service that an organization’s customers value more highly than similar offerings from competitors
133
First-mover Advantage
occurs when an organization significantly impacts its position by being first with a competitive advantage
134
What is Porter's 5 Forces Model for?
to determine the attractiveness of entering or staying in an industry.
135
How specifically can an organization, through the use of technology, gain a Competitive Advantage?
By Implementing:
- Personal Productivity (PP) Tools
-Supply Chain Management (SCM) Systems
-Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Systems
-Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems
-Business Process Reengineering (BPR)
136
Supply Chain Management (SCM)
involves the management of information between and among the stages in the supply chain to maximize total supply chain effectiveness. (COST REDUCTION)
137
Three Links of a Supply Chain
1) Materials flow from suppliers and their “upstream” suppliers at all levels
2) Transformation of materials into semi finished and finished products through the organization’s own production process
3) Distribution of products to customers and their “downstream” customers at all levels
138
Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
involves managing all aspects of the customer’s relationship with an organization to increase loyalty and retention and ultimately drive MORE revenue. (MORE REVENUE)
139
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
integrates all departments and functions throughout an organization into a single IT system so that employees can make enterprise-wide decisions by viewing enterprise-wide information on all business operations (ENTERPRISE & MAXIMIZE PROFITABILITY)
140
Business Process
a standardized set of activities that accomplish a specific task, such as processing a customer’s order
141
Business Process Reengineering (BPR)
the analysis and redesign of workflow within and between enterprises (MAKE ALL BUSINESS PROCESSES "BEST-IN-CLASS")
142
7 Principles for Business Process Reengineering
1) Organize around outcomes
2) Identify all the organization's processes and prioritize them in order of redesign urgency
3) Integrate information Processing work into the real work that produces the information
4) Treat geographicallt dispersed resources as though they were centralized
5) Link parallel activities in the workflow instead of just integrating their results
6) Put the decision point where the work is performed, and build control into the process
7) Capture information once and at the source
