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Strategic Information Technology
Purpose of Course showclose
BUS206 introduced you to the subject of Management Information Systems (MIS). The focus of that initial course was on the nuts and bolts of information systems: how they work, how you create them, how to secure them, and so on. This course is developed to help you understand how information technology can be used as part of an organization’s overall strategy.
In this course you will focus on the allocation and use of technology resources across an entire firm as part of the larger organizational strategy. Because firms do not have an unlimited supply of capital, they must decide when and where to deploy new information technology. Firms must not only focus on when to deploy IT, but also if they should deploy IT at all! This brings up the bigger question about technology: Can the use of IT bring a sustainable competitive advantage to an organization? There are those who say, “No”; and others who say, “Of course!” You will explore the differing opinions out there on this topic in unit 1.
In unit 2 you will delve into how IT might manage business processes and take a look at Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, Business Process Management (BPM) systems, and business process reengineering. You will then move on to how technology can inform decision making in unit 3 by studying business intelligence, data warehousing, and data mining. Unit 4 introduces you to the world of e-commerce and examines such important topics as intellectual property and online marketing. In unit 5 you will explore major trends in technology today like cloud computing, Web 2.0, and mobile technologies. Units 1 through 5 lay the groundwork for understanding how IT can be used in business strategy, which you will put to practical use in unit 6 where you will focus on how to actually write a strategy.
Course Information showclose
Course Designer: David Bourgeois
Primary Resources: This course is comprised of a range of different free, online materials. However, the course makes primary use of the following materials:
- The Orange Grove: Richard T. Watson, ed.’s Information Systems
- The Orange Grove: Gelinas, Sutton, and Fedorowicz’s Business Processes and Information Technology
- The Orange Grove: Watson, Berthon, Pitt, and Zinkhan’s Electronic Commerce: The Strategic Perspective (2nd ed.)
- Information Systems: A Manager’s Guide to Harnessing Technology
- eMarketing: The Essential Guide to Online Marketing
- East Tennessee State University: Dr. Tony Pittarese’s CSCI 3720: Fundamentals of Business Information Systemsand CSCI 5710: e-Commerce Implementation
- Biola University: Dr. David Bourgeois’ BUSN 220: Management Information Systems
Besides reviewing these materials, you will also need to complete:
- Unit 6 “Develop Your Own Social Media Strategy” Assignment
- The Final Exam
In order to pass this course, you will need to earn a 70% or higher on the final exam. Your score on the exam will be tabulated as soon as you complete it. If you do not pass the exam, you may take it again.
Time Commitment: Completing this course should take you a total of 84.25 hours. Each unit includes a time advisory that lists the amount of time you are expected to spend on each subunit. These should help you plan your time accordingly. It may be useful to take a look at these time advisories to determine how much time you have over the next few weeks to complete each unit, and then to set goals for yourself. For example, unit 1 should take you 16 hours. Perhaps you can sit down with your calendar and decide to complete subunits 1.1.1 and 1.1.2 (a total of 2 hours) on Monday night; subunits 1.1.3 and 1.1.4 (a total of 2.5 hours) on Tuesday night; etc.
Tips/Suggestions: As noted in the Course Requirements, you must have completed BUS206: Management Information Systems before you take this course. It may be helpful to do a quick review of that course before beginning this one.
As you read, take careful notes on a separate sheet of paper. For each topic presented, ask yourself: What does this have to do with strategy or competitive advantage? See if you can find links between topics presented in different units, and see how they fit as a whole. These notes will help you as you write your strategy paper assignment.
Learning Outcomes showclose
- Explain the relationship between information technology and competitive advantage.
- Explain the relationship between information technology and business processes in an organization.
- Explain how an organization can leverage data for strategic planning through the use of data warehouses and business intelligence.
- Identify different online technologies and explain how each can be used to improve their business and contribute to their competitive advantage.
- Describe the process to develop a technology strategy for an organization.
Course Requirements showclose
√ Have access to a computer.
√ Have continuous broadband internet access.
√ Have the ability/permission to install plug-ins or software (e.g., Adobe Reader or Flash).
√ Have the ability to download and save files and documents to a computer.
√ Have the ability to open Microsoft files and documents (.doc, .ppt, .xls, etc.).
√ Be competent in the English language.
√ Have read the Saylor Student Handbook.
√ Have completed BUS103 and BUS105, as well as BUS206: Management Information Systems.
Unit Outline show close
Expand All Resources Collapse All Resources
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Unit 1: Information Technology and Competitive Advantage
Organizations have been using information technology for the past 50-plus years. Billions of dollars have been spent on computer hardware, software, network communications, and all the other requirements of having world-class technology. But to what end? Has the money spent on technology allowed businesses to become more profitable? Or more specifically: has the implementation of information technology led to a sustainable competitive advantage?
Unit 1 Time Advisory show close
This unit will start by answering the question: What is information technology? For that matter, what exactly is technology? For our purposes here, technology is considered any electronic or digital tool used by people to make a process easier or more efficient. You can also think of technology as the science of creating or using technical objects in order to reach industrial goals, which certainly applies to how businesses use technology to achieve productivity. We tend to think of technology mostly in terms of electronic innovation. Information technology is defined as those digital or electronic tools that are designed to make the process of managing or distribution of information easier.
You will then study the history of IT and how it fits into business strategy today. Specifically, you will review concepts from other courses, such as the value chain and Porter’s Five Forces of Competitive Advantage. You will look at how IT fits into these topics and other key concepts related to strategy.
This unit will end with a focus on the relationship between IT and competitive advantage, which will set the foundation for the rest of the course. Is it possible for IT to bring competitive advantage? Many argue that YES, it can! As a student of information systems, it is highly important that you can articulate both Carr’s article AND the rebuttals to it. The articles below present different cases for how IT can bring a competitive advantage. See if you can find a common thread in these articles.
Unit 1 Learning Outcomes show close
- 1.1 Understanding Information Technology
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1.1.1 Information Technology vs. Information Systems
- Reading: The Orange Grove: Richard T. Watson, ed.’s Information Systems: “Chapter 2: Achieving Efficiency and Effectiveness through Systems”
Link: The Orange Grove: Richard T. Watson, ed.’s Information Systems: “Chapter 2: Achieving Efficiency and Effectiveness through Systems” (PDF)
Instructions: Read this chapter, on pages 23–35, to learn about the four components of information systems and what role information technology plays in business. Take some time to consider how the four case questions on page 34 apply to what you read.
Reading this resource and taking notes should take approximately 1 hour.
Terms of Use: This book is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License. It is attributed to Richard T. Watson and the University of Georgia, and the original version can be found here.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: The Orange Grove: Richard T. Watson, ed.’s Information Systems: “Chapter 2: Achieving Efficiency and Effectiveness through Systems”
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1.1.2 History of IT
- Reading: The Orange Grove: Richard T. Watson, ed.’s Information Systems: “Chapter 7: How Hardware and Software Contribute to Efficiency and Effectiveness”
Link: The Orange Grove: Richard T. Watson, ed.’s Information Systems: “Chapter 7: How Hardware and Software Contribute to Efficiency and Effectiveness” (PDF)
Instructions: This section will give you a good understanding of the rapid changes in digital technologies over the past century. Read pages marked 112–141 and review the diagrams and graphics provided to get a feel for just how quickly technologies change. Consider how you might complete the activities suggested in each of the exercise questions at the end of this reading on pages 140–141.
Reading this resource and taking notes should take approximately 1 hour.
Terms of Use: This book is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License. It is attributed to Richard T. Watson and the University of Georgia, and the original version can be found here.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: The Orange Grove: Richard T. Watson, ed.’s Information Systems: “Chapter 7: How Hardware and Software Contribute to Efficiency and Effectiveness”
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1.1.3 Moore’s Law
- Reading: Intel Corporation: “Moore’s Law Backgrounder”
Link: Intel Corporation: “Moore’s Law Backgrounder” (PDF)
Instructions: This webpage celebrates the 40th anniversary of Moore’s Law. Read the “Moore’s Law Backgrounder” PDF under the “Printed Material” heading to get an understanding of Moore’s Law.
Reading this article and taking notes should take approximately 30 minutes.
Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: Information Systems: A Manager’s Guide to Harnessing Technology: “Chapter 4: Moore’s Law and More: Fast, Cheap Computing and What It Means for the Manager”
Link: Information Systems: A Manager’s Guide to Harnessing Technology: “Chapter 4: Moore’s Law and More: Fast, Cheap Computing and What It Means for the Manager” (PDF)
Instructions: Read this chapter to get a full understanding of the implications of Moore’s Law. You may either click on the arrow keys to move on to each page of the chapter, or use the Table of Contents on the left side of the webpage to access Sections 1–4. Take some time to consider how you might complete the activities suggested in the questions and exercises at the end of each section.
Reading this resource and taking notes should take approximately 1 hour.
Terms of Use: This text was adapted by The Saylor Foundation under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 License without attribution as requested by the work’s original creator or licensee.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: Intel Corporation: “Moore’s Law Backgrounder”
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1.1.4 Roles of IT in a Firm
- Reading: Reading: The Orange Grove: Gelinas, Sutton, and Fedorowicz’s Business Processes and Information Technology: “Chapter 1: Introduction to Information Systems”
Link: The Orange Grove: Gelinas, Sutton, and Fedorowicz’s Business Processes and Information Technology: “Chapter 1: Introduction to Information Systems” (PDF)
Instructions: Information systems can play various roles inside a firm. In this reading, you will learn about three primary roles: enterprise systems, e-business, and information technology. Read chapter 1 (PDF pages 38 to 79) to understand these different roles.
Reading this resource and taking notes should take approximately 1 hour.
Terms of Use: This book is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License. It is attributed to Ulric J, Gelinas, Jr., Steve G. Sutton, and Jane Federowicz and the original version can be found here.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: Reading: The Orange Grove: Gelinas, Sutton, and Fedorowicz’s Business Processes and Information Technology: “Chapter 1: Introduction to Information Systems”
- 1.2 What Is Competitive Advantage?
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1.2.1 Value Chain
- Reading: QuickMBA’s “The Value Chain”
Link: QuickMBA’s “The Value Chain” (HTML)
Instructions: Read the assigned webpage to understand the concept of a value chain. What is the key idea behind the value chain model?
Reading this resource and taking notes should take approximately 30 minutes.
Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: Information Systems: A Manager’s Guide to Harnessing Technology: “Chapter 2: Strategy and Technology: Section 5: Key Framework: The Value Chain”
Link: Information Systems: A Manager’s Guide to Harnessing Technology: “Chapter 2: Strategy and Technology: Section 5: Key Framework: The Value Chain” (PDF)
Instructions: Read Section 5 of Chapter 2, “Key Framework: The Value Chain,” to gain insight into how technology can affect the value chain. Consider each question at the end of the reading to reinforce your understanding of this model.
Reading this resource and taking notes should take approximately 30 minutes.
Terms of Use: This text was adapted by The Saylor Foundation under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 License without attribution as requested by the work’s original creator or licensee.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: QuickMBA’s “The Value Chain”
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1.2.2 Five Forces of Competitive Advantage
- Reading: QuickMBA’s “Porter’s Five Forces”
Link: QuickMBA’s “Porter’s Five Forces” (HTML)
Instructions: Read the assigned webpage to understand the five forces that affect industry competition.Can you list and explain each force in your own words?
Reading this resource and taking notes should take approximately 30 minutes.
Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: Information Systems: A Manager’s Guide to Harnessing Technology: “Chapter 2: Strategy and Technology: Section 4: Key Framework: The Five Forces of Industry Competitive Advantage”
Link: Information Systems: A Manager’s Guide to Harnessing Technology: “Chapter 2: Strategy and Technology: Section 4: Key Framework: The Five Forces of Industry Competitive Advantage” (PDF)
Instructions: Read Section 4 of Chapter 2, “Key Framework: The Five Forces of Industry Competitive Advantage,” to see examples of how technology can influence the five forces of competitive advantage. Consider the questions and exercises at the end of this reading to explore how this model is used for developing business strategy.
Reading this resource and taking notes should take approximately 30 minutes.
Terms of Use: This text was adapted by The Saylor Foundation under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 License without attribution as requested by the work’s original creator or licensee.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: QuickMBA’s “Porter’s Five Forces”
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1.2.3 Sustainable Competitive Advantage
- Reading: QuickMBA’s “Competitive Advantage”
Link: QuickMBA’s “Competitive Advantage” (HTML)
Instructions: Read the assigned webpage to understand the concept of competitive advantage and how companies achieve it. How might branding be used to achieve competitive advantage?
Reading this resource and taking notes should take approximately 15 minutes.
Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: Information Systems: A Manager’s Guide to Harnessing Technology: “Chapter 2: Strategy and Technology: Introduction”
Link: Information Systems: A Manager’s Guide to Harnessing Technology: “Chapter 2: Strategy and Technology: Introduction” (PDF)
Instructions: Read Section 1, “Introduction,” in the Strategy and Technology chapter for an understanding of sustainable competitive advantage and the role technology can play. Take some time to consider the questions at the end of this section. Also, take notes on the following questions: What is strategic positioning? How might technology be used to achieve strategic positioning?
Reading this resource and taking notes should take approximately 1 hour.
Terms of Use: This text was adapted by The Saylor Foundation under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 License without attribution as requested by the work’s original creator or licensee.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: QuickMBA’s “Competitive Advantage”
- 1.3 Can IT Bring Competitive Advantage?
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1.3.1 IT Does Not Bring Competitive Advantage
- Reading: Nicholas Carr’s Rough Type: “IT Doesn’t Matter: Parts 1–8”
Link: Nicholas Carr’s Rough Type: “IT Doesn’t Matter: Parts 1–8” (HTML)
Instructions: In this groundbreaking article, Nicholas Carr claims that information technology has no bearing on sustainable competitive advantage. Read all eight parts of the article; the link to part one is listed above, with the links to parts two through eight available at the end of each section.
As you progress through each part, note the topic and then jot down the author’s argument in that section. Also, take some time to consider the following questions:- What activities have you observed at your local Walmart that support each argument?
- Next time you are in your local store, ask the manager when the checkout system (for example) was last upgraded requiring staff retraining.
- Would newer technology improve Walmart services at your local store enough to warrant the cost of new technology?
- What about Walmart.com?
Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Web Media: CNET’s “Nicholas Carr: IT Still Doesn’t Matter”
Link: CNET’s “Nicholas Carr: IT Still Doesn’t Matter” (Adobe Flash)
Instructions: This is an interview with Nicholas Carr, who wrote that IT cannot bring a firm a sustainable competitive advantage. Watch this interview with Carr as he discusses the article (and subsequent book) and defends his position.
Consider the current requirement to automate medical records. Mr. Carr would argue that medical organizations should automate, but on-going upgrades to the most current technology will not improve access to medical records. Why/how does he support this position?
Watching this video and taking notes should take approximately 30 minutes.
Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: Business Insider: Steve Blank’s “Here’s Why The First-Mover Advantage Is Extremely Overrated”
Link: Business Insider: Steve Blank’s “Here’s Why The First-Mover Advantage Is Extremely Overrated” (HTML)
Instructions: Read the article to gain insight into first-mover advantage and the “fast follower” strategy. This article will also provide you with a very strong opinion as to which is the best strategy! Take some time to jot down the answers to the following questions: What is the first-mover advantage? What is the fast follower strategy?
Reading this resource and taking notes should take approximately 15 minutes.
Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: University of Southern California: Golder and Tellis’s “Pioneering Advantage: Marketing Fact or Marketing Legend”
Link: University of Southern California: Golder and Tellis’s “Pioneering Advantage: Marketing Fact or Marketing Legend” (PDF)
Instructions: Read the Golder and Tellis article, “Pioneering Advantage: Marketing Fact or Marketing Legend,” which was originally published in the Journal of Marketing Research on May 30, 1993, pp. 158–170.
This article is referenced in the previous article you read by Steve Blank. It is a bit more of an academic article than others that have been assigned in this class, but it contains some very interesting research. Even if you do not understand all of the statistics, be sure you read the “Conclusions and Implications” section at the end.
Reading this article and taking notes should take approximately 30 minutes.
Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: Nicholas Carr’s Rough Type: “IT Doesn’t Matter: Parts 1–8”
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1.3.2 IT Does Bring Competitive Advantage
- Reading: IDG Communications’ CIO: Tim Mendham’s “Fightin’ Words”
Link: IDG Communications’ CIO: Tim Mendham’s “Fightin’ Words” (HTML)
Instructions: Read this article, which summarizes Carr’s article and offers rebuttals.
Reading this article and taking notes should take approximately 30 minutes.
Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: John Hagel and Associates, LLC: John Hagel and John Seely Brown’s “IT Does Matter”
Link: John Hagel and Associates, LLC: John Hagel and John Seely Brown’s “IT Does Matter” (HTML)
Instructions: John Hagel and John Seely Brown, both well-known thinkers in the field of business IT, wrote a rebuttal to Carr’s article that was published in the Harvard Business Review. Read this article, which is a summary of that rebuttal.
Reading this resource and taking notes should take approximately 15 minutes.
Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: Prentice-Hall: Steven Alter’s Information Systems, A Management Perspective: “Chapter 1: The Challenge of Applying IT Successfully: Wal-Mart: Attaining Competitive Advantage from Information Technology”
Link: Prentice-Hall: Steven Alter’s Information Systems, A Management Perspective: “Chapter 1: The Challenge of Applying IT Successfully: Wal-Mart: Attaining Competitive Advantage from Information Technology” (HTML)
Instructions: Read the article with a focus on determining how Wal-Mart gained competitive advantage with IT.
Reading this resource and taking notes should take approximately 15 minutes.
Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: IDG Communications’ CIO: Tim Mendham’s “Fightin’ Words”
- 1.4 Cases in Competitive Advantage
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1.4.1 Case: Zara
- Reading: Information Systems: A Manager’s Guide to Harnessing Technology: “Chapter 1: Zara: Fast Fashion from Savvy Systems”
Link: Information Systems: A Manager’s Guide to Harnessing Technology: “Chapter 1: Zara: Fast Fashion from Savvy Systems” (PDF)
Instructions: Read the chapter to see an example of how IT is used to gain a competitive advantage. You may either click on the arrow keys to move on to each page of the chapter, or use the Table of Contents on the left side of the webpage to access Sections 1–3.
Identify the management disciplines mentioned in this case. Then note how technology impacted each discipline.
Reading this resource and taking notes should take approximately 1 hour.
Terms of Use: This text was adapted by The Saylor Foundation under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 License without attribution as requested by the work’s original creator or licensee.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: Information Systems: A Manager’s Guide to Harnessing Technology: “Chapter 1: Zara: Fast Fashion from Savvy Systems”
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1.4.2 Case: Netflix
- Reading: Information Systems: A Manager’s Guide to Harnessing Technology: “Chapter 3: Netflix: David Becomes Goliath”
Link: Information Systems: A Manager’s Guide to Harnessing Technology: “Chapter 3: Netflix: David Becomes Goliath” (PDF)
Instructions: Read the chapter to see an example of how IT is used to gain a competitive advantage. You may either click on the arrow keys to move on to each page of the chapter, or use the Table of Contents on the left side of the webpage to access Sections 1–3.
As you read the case, consider the question: What are the long-term threats to Netflix? (Hint: Consider changes in technology and copyright/patent/media law.)
Reading this resource and taking notes should take approximately 1 hour.
Terms of Use: This text was adapted by The Saylor Foundation under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 License without attribution as requested by the work’s original creator or licensee.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: Information Systems: A Manager’s Guide to Harnessing Technology: “Chapter 3: Netflix: David Becomes Goliath”
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Unit 1 Assessment
- Assessment: The Saylor Foundation’s “Unit 1 Checkpoint”
Link: The Saylor Foundation’s “Unit 1 Checkpoint” (PDF)
Instructions: Please open the “Unit 1 Checkpoint” document and follow the instructions. When
you have completed the assessment, check your answers with the answer key found here
(PDF).
Completing this activity should take approximately 30 minutes.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Assessment: The Saylor Foundation’s “Unit 1 Checkpoint”
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Unit 2: ERP Systems, Business Processes, and IT
To obtain a competitive advantage with information technology requires more than just simply using the technology. As we have seen in the previous section, it is about the innovative use of technology integrated into your business processes that bring about competitive advantage. In this unit, you will dig deeper into the concepts of business processes and explore the use of ERP Systems, Business Process Management, and Business Process Reengineering in an organization.
Unit 2 Time Advisory show close
Unit 2 Learning Outcomes show close
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2.1 What Is a Business Process?
- Reading: The Orange Grove: Richard T. Watson, ed.’s Information Systems: “Chapter 4: Business Process Modeling and Process Management”
Link: The Orange Grove: Richard T. Watson, ed.’s Information Systems: “Chapter 4: Business Process Modeling and Process Management” (PDF)
Instructions: Read this chapter, on pages 69 to 86, focusing on understanding the definition of a business process.
Reading this resource and taking notes should take approximately 1 hour.
Terms of Use: This book is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License. It is attributed to Richard T. Watson and the University of Georgia, and the original version can be found here.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Lecture: East Tennessee State University: Dr. Tony Pittarese’s CSCI 3720 Fundamentals of Business Information Systems: “Organizations, Processes, and Information Lecture Slides”
Link: East Tennessee State University: Dr. Tony Pittarese’s CSCI 3720 Fundamentals of Business Information Systems:“Organizations, Processes, and Information Lecture Slides” (PDF and iTunes U)
Instructions: This is the website of Dr. Pittarese, and includes lecture slides and links to each of his lectures in iTunes U. To listen to the podcasts, click on the link to these podcasts in the “Summer 2010” iTunes U link:
- 6/8/10 “Organizations, Processes, and Information Systems”
- 6/15/10 “Organizations, Processes, and Information Systems, part 2”
- 6/16/10 “Organizations, Processes..., part 3 & Enterprise Systems, part 1” (38:44 minutes) Note: For this podcast, you only need to listen to the first 19:30 minutes of the lecture where Dr. Pittarese ends his discussion of processes.
These lectures will give you a good understanding of how business processes are crucial to the functioning of a business and how technology is integrated with the processes.
Viewing the slides, listening to the podcasts, and taking notes should take approximately 3 hours.
Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: The Orange Grove: Richard T. Watson, ed.’s Information Systems: “Chapter 4: Business Process Modeling and Process Management”
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2.2 Enterprise Resource Planning Systems
- Reading: IDG Communications’ CIO: Thomas Wailgum’s “ERP Definition and Solutions”
Link: IDG Communications’ CIO: Thomas Wailgum’s “ERP Definition and Solutions” (HTML)
Instructions: Read this article to learn how ERP systems are used inside businesses. Take some time to jot down the answers to the following questions: What is an ERP system? What is its business function?
Reading this resource and taking notes should take approximately 1 hour.
Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Web Media: YouTube: David Bourgeois’ “Introduction to ERP”
Link: YouTube: David Bourgeois’ “Introduction to ERP” (YouTube)
Instructions: Watch this video. Take some time to jot down the answers to the following questions: What are the rewards of implementing an ERP system for an organization? What are the risks of implementing an ERP system?
Watching this video and taking notes should take approximately 30 minutes.
Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Web Media: SAP.com: SAP ERP Resources
Link: SAP.com: “ERP Resources” (MP4)
Instructions: Go to the website linked above and note that the applications have been organized into two categories in the left margin. The two categories are Lines of Business and Industries. Each category has been divided into a number of subcategories. Your assignment is to select at least six different videos to watch that demonstrate how the SAP ERP system works. Do not pick more than one video from any subcategory and be sure to watch at least one video in both categories. You can watch a video by clicking the subcategory and then select an organization example listed in the right column. Items with the letter “p” require you to register as a premium member before you can view the example, so you may ignore those items in selecting your six videos. Please note that the videos are about 3–4 minutes each. Note: this is not an endorsement of SAP software. It is meant to provide a demonstration of how an ERP system can be used to help you monitor your organization's resources within business.
Watching these videos and taking notes should take approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: IDG Communications’ CIO: Thomas Wailgum’s “ERP Definition and Solutions”
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2.3 Business Process Management
- Reading: IDG Communications’ CIO: Mark Cooper and Paul Patterson’s “Business Process Management (BPM) Definition and Solutions”
Link: IDG Communications’ CIO: Mark Cooper and Paul Patterson’s “Business Process Management (BPM) Definition and Solutions” (HTML)
Instructions: Read this article to get a better understanding of Business Process Management. Make sure to read all seven pages of the article using the “next page” link. Consider the following question: What does a BPM (Business Process Management) system provide that other enterprise systems, including ERPs, do not provide?
Reading this resource and taking notes should take approximately 1 hour.
Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Web Media: YouTube: Interfacing Technologies Corporation’s “Business Process Management BPM: Improve Business Processes”
Link: YouTube: Interfacing Technologies Corporation’s “Business Process Management BPM: Improve Business Processes” (YouTube)
Instructions: Watch this brief three-minute video on YouTube. This video explains BPM well and gives you an idea of how software can be used to support business processes. Note: this is not an endorsement of the particular software solution provided or the company.
Watching this video and taking notes should take less than 15 minutes.
Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.
See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Lecture: YouTube: David Bourgeois’ “Intro to Business Process Management”
Link: YouTube: David Bourgeois’ “Intro to Business Process Management” (YouTube)
Instructions: Watch this video. Consider the following question: What kinds of processes are the best candidates for a BPM system?
Watching this video and taking notes should take approximately 30 minutes.
Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: IDG Communications’ CIO: Mark Cooper and Paul Patterson’s “Business Process Management (BPM) Definition and Solutions”
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2.4 Business Process Reengineering
- Lecture: YouTube: David Bourgeois’ “Business Process Reengineering Explained”
Link: YouTube: David Bourgeois’ “Business Process Reengineering Explained” (YouTube)
Instructions: Watch this video. Take some time to jot down answers to the following questions: What is business process reengineering? When is business process reengineering an appropriate strategy?
Watching this video and taking notes should take approximately 30 minutes.
Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Lecture: YouTube: David Bourgeois’ “Business Process Reengineering Explained”
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Unit 2 Assessment
- Assessment: The Saylor Foundation’s “Unit 2 Checkpoint”
Link: The Saylor Foundation’s “Unit 2 Checkpoint” (PDF)
Instructions: Please open the “Unit 2 Checkpoint” document and follow the instructions. When
you have completed the assessment, check your answers with the answer key found here
(PDF).
Completing this activity should take approximately 30 minutes.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Assessment: The Saylor Foundation’s “Unit 2 Checkpoint”
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Unit 3: Using Information for Decision Making
Data is everywhere, but how can an organization leverage it for competitive advantage? The field of business intelligence studies how organizations can get the right information into the hands of the right decision makers. This unit begins by giving you an overview of how decisions are made and how information technology plays a role. You will then review different ways that information technology is used to help organizations make effective decisions: business intelligence, data warehousing, and data mining.
Unit 3 Time Advisory show close
Unit 3 Learning Outcomes show close
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3.1 The Decision-Making Process
- Reading: The Orange Grove: Richard T. Watson, ed.’s Information Systems: “Chapter 8: Utilizing Data for Efficiency and Effectiveness”
Link: The Orange Grove: Richard T. Watson, ed.’s Information Systems: “Chapter 8: Utilizing Data for Efficiency and Effectiveness” (PDF)
Instructions: Read Chapter 8 to get a better understanding of how decisions are made and the role information technology plays. Consider the following: What is the process that uses technology to make automated decisions? Consider system input, decision-making algorithms, and output. How does an organization track the decisions made by the system?
Reading this resource and taking notes should take approximately 1 hour.
Terms of Use: This book is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License. It is attributed to Richard T. Watson and the University of Georgia, and the original version can be found here.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: The Orange Grove: Richard T. Watson, ed.’s Information Systems: “Chapter 8: Utilizing Data for Efficiency and Effectiveness”
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3.2 Business Intelligence
- Reading: Information Systems: A Manager’s Guide to Harnessing Technology: “Chapter 11: The Data Asset: Databases, Business Intelligence, and Competitive Advantage”
Link: Information Systems: A Manager’s Guide to Harnessing Technology: “Chapter 11: The Data Asset: Databases, Business Intelligence, and Competitive Advantage” (PDF)
Instructions: Read this chapter to fully understand how information systems can enable better decision making. You may either click on the arrow keys to move on to each page of the chapter or use the Table of Contents on the left side of the webpage to access Sections 1–8.
Take some time to answer the following questions: What is business intelligence? How is business intelligence an extension of automated decision making?
Reading this chapter and taking notes should take approximately 1 hour.
Terms of Use: This text was adapted by The Saylor Foundation under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 License without attribution as requested by the work’s original creator or licensee.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: IDG Communications’ CIO: Ryan Mulcahy’s “Business Intelligence Definition and Solutions”
Link: IDG Communications’ CIO: Ryan Mulcahy’s “Business Intelligence Definition and Solutions” (HTML)
Instructions: Read this article to get a practitioner’s view of how business intelligence can be used. Make sure to read all four pages of the article by using the “next page” link at the bottom of each section. Take a moment to identify at least one key business process/activity that is well-suited for a business intelligence application.
Reading this article and taking notes should take approximately 1 hour.
Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Web Media: YouTube: DarwinsHamster’s “Business Intelligence Demonstration”
Link: YouTube: DarwinsHamster’s “Business Intelligence Demonstration” (YouTube)
Instructions: Watch this informative video to see a great example of how Business Intelligence can be used to improve decision making.How might you use business intelligence to improve decision making in a work or school organization?
Watching this video and taking notes should take approximately 30 minutes.
Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: Information Systems: A Manager’s Guide to Harnessing Technology: “Chapter 11: The Data Asset: Databases, Business Intelligence, and Competitive Advantage”
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3.3 Data Warehousing
- Reading: University of Texas at Austin, McComb’s School of Business: “Business Intelligence – Overview”
Link: University of Texas at Austin, McComb’s School of Business: “Business Intelligence – Overview” (HTML)
Instructions: Read this short article, focusing on the diagram about how data warehouses are constructed. Take some time to jot down answers to the following questions: What is a data warehouse? How does it differ from a database? What are the key steps in constructing a data warehouse?
Reading this article and taking notes should take approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: Butler University: Hongjiang Xu and Mark I. Hwang’s “A Structural Model of Data Warehousing Success”
Link: Butler University: Hongjiang Xuand Mark I. Hwang’s “A Structural Model of Data Warehousing Success” (PDF)
Instructions: Download and read this article, which lays out some of the basic success factors for implementing a data warehouse.
Reading this article and taking notes should take approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: University of Texas at Austin, McComb’s School of Business: “Business Intelligence – Overview”
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3.4 Data Mining
- Web Media: University of Minnesota: Vipin Kumar’s “Introduction to Data Mining” PowerPoint Slides
Link: University of Minnesota: Vipin Kumar’s “Introduction to Data Mining” (PDF or PPT)
Instructions: Click on the link to the PowerPoint slides or PDF of the “Introduction.” Read these slides.
As you read through the slides, take notes on the following questions:
- What is data mining?
- How is it different from a data warehouse?
- What is a cluster?
- What are five challenges in data mining?
Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: Information Week: Herb Edelstein’s “Technology How To: Mining Data Warehouses”
Link: Information Week: Herb Edelstein’s “Technology How To: Mining Data Warehouses” (HTML)
Instructions: Read this article to learn how data warehouses and data mining work together. How do you evaluate the success of a data mining project?
Reading this resource and taking notes should take approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Web Media: University of Minnesota: Vipin Kumar’s “Introduction to Data Mining” PowerPoint Slides
-
Unit 3 Assessment
- Assessment: Link: The Saylor Foundation’s “Unit 3 Checkpoint”
Link: The Saylor Foundation’s “Unit 3 Checkpoint” (PDF)
Instructions: Please open the “Unit 1 Checkpoint” document and follow the instructions. When
you have completed the assessment, check your answers with the answer key found here
(PDF).
Completing this activity should take approximately 30 minutes.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Assessment: Link: The Saylor Foundation’s “Unit 3 Checkpoint”
-
Unit 4: Electronic Business
Today’s businesses must know how to compete online – it is as simple as that. In this unit you will learn what electronic commerce, or e-commerce, is and what steps a business must take in order to implement it. You will also be introduced to the concept of intellectual property and to the Pew Internet Project, both of which are important as part of your overall understanding of online business. Finally, the unit wraps up with topics related to marketing your business using online tools. Understanding this unit will be key to implementing information systems strategically!
Unit 4 Time Advisory show close
Unit 4 Learning Outcomes show close
- 4.1 E-Commerce Overview
-
4.1.1 Introduction
- Reading: The Orange Grove: Watson, Berthon, Pitt, and Zinkhan’s Electronic Commerce: The Strategic Perspective (2nd ed.): “Chapter 1: Electronic Commerce: An Introduction”
Link: The Orange Grove: Watson, Berthon, Pitt, and Zinkhan’s Electronic Commerce: The Strategic Perspective (2nd ed.): “Chapter 1: Electronic Commerce: An Introduction” (PDF)
Instructions: Read Chapter 1, on pages 8–20, to get a great introduction into e-commerce and how businesses can use the Internet. As you read, take notes on the following questions: What is e-commerce? What is the role of the Internet in providing an organization’s e-commerce presence?
Reading this chapter and taking notes should take approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Terms of Use: This resource is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License. It is attributed to Richard T. Watson, Pierre Berthon, Leyland F. Pitt, George M. Zinkhan, and the original version can be found here.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Lecture: East Tennessee State University: Dr. Tony Pittarese’s CSCI 5710 e-Commerce Implementation: “Overview of Electronic Commerce”
Link: East Tennessee State University: Dr. Tony Pittarese’s CSCI 5710 e-Commerce Implementation: “Overview of Electronic Commerce” (PDF and iTunes U)
Instructions: This is the website of Dr. Pittarese, and includes lecture slides and links to each of his lectures in iTunes U. To listen to the podcasts, click on the link to these podcasts in the “Spring 2011” section:
- 1/14/11 “Overview of Electronic Commerce, part 1” (1:39:59)
- 1/21/11 “Overview of Electronic Commerce, part 2” (49:47 minutes)
Viewing the slides, listening to the podcasts, and taking notes should take approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes.
Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpages above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: The Orange Grove: Watson, Berthon, Pitt, and Zinkhan’s Electronic Commerce: The Strategic Perspective (2nd ed.): “Chapter 1: Electronic Commerce: An Introduction”
- 4.1.2 Getting Online and Accepting Payment
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4.1.2.1 Overview
- Reading: Entrepreneur: Melissa Campanelli’s “How to Setup an E-Commerce Site”
Link: Entrepreneur: Melissa Campanelli’s “How to Setup an E-Commerce Site” (HTML)
Instructions: This article gives a good overview of the practical steps you will need to take to get online. Read this article to see some of the options to setting up an e-commerce site.
Reading this article and taking notes should take approximately 1 hour.
Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: Entrepreneur: Melissa Campanelli’s “How to Setup an E-Commerce Site”
-
4.1.2.2 Decisions in Planning
- Reading: Small Business Development Center’s SBDCNet: “ECommerce Guides”
Link: Small Business Development Center’s SBDCNet: “ECommerce Guides” (HTML)
Instructions: This website is provided to guide the user through the planning process of creating an online presence for a business. This article expands on the material presented in subunit 4.1.2.1 with each major category highlighted in orange. Read at least one item under each major category, especially the topics that appeal to you. The items authored by the Small Business Administration (SBA) under “Online E-Commerce Training” contain information you do not want to skip. Note: You will be exploring some of the sections on this webpage in more detail in subunits 4.1.2.3 and 4.1.2.4.
Reading this article and taking notes should take approximately 2 hours.
Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: Small Business Development Center’s SBDCNet: “ECommerce Guides”
-
4.1.2.3 Strategy Considerations
- Reading: Small Business Development Center’s SBDCNet: “ECommerce Guides”
Link: Small Business Development Center’s SBDCNet: “ECommerce Guides” (HTML)
Instructions: There are thousands of businesses offering website development, hundreds of website hosting companies, or you can build and maintain your own presence. Should you develop your own site or use a pre-developed package? How do you maintain your site if you do use a package? Read all of the links under the “E-Commerce Software Solutions” section to learn what to consider in making these decisions to develop your strategy!
Reading this article and taking notes should take approximately 3 hours.
Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: Small Business Development Center’s SBDCNet: “ECommerce Guides”
-
4.1.2.4 Payment Considerations
- Reading: Small Business Development Center’s SBDCNet: “ECommerce Guides”
Link: Small Business Development Center’s SBDCNet: “ECommerce Guides” (HTML)
Instructions: Read each link under the sections “How will you receive payment on your web site?” through “Sources for Marketing Your E-Commerce Web Site.” What are some of the issues to consider in developing your payment strategy? How do these options compare with your local bank? Are your online sales taxable? What privacy issues are inherent in online payments?
Reading this article and taking notes should take approximately 1 hour.
Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: Small Business Development Center’s SBDCNet: “ECommerce Guides”
-
4.1.3 Intellectual Property
- Web Media: University of California, Los Angeles Library: Carlos and Eddie’s Guide to Bruin Success for Less Stress: “Intellectual Property”
Link: University of California, Los Angeles Library: Carlos and Eddie’s Guide to Bruin Success for Less Stress: “Intellectual Property” (HTML)
Instructions: Go through this interactive module and read about the three main forms of intellectual property protections. There are a total of 14 slides. As businesses use the Internet more and more, it becomes extremely important to understand basic intellectual property protections. Besides the intellectual property lesson, you may find some of the other links on the main page of interest as well.
Reading this article and taking notes should take approximately 1 hour.
Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Web Media: University of California, Los Angeles Library: Carlos and Eddie’s Guide to Bruin Success for Less Stress: “Intellectual Property”
-
4.1.4 Attracting Customers Online
- Reading: The Orange Grove: Watson, Berthon, Pitt, and Zinkhan’s Electronic Commerce: The Strategic Perspective (2nd ed.): “Chapter 3: Web Strategy: Attracting and Retaining Visitors”
Link: The Orange Grove: Watson, Berthon, Pitt, and Zinkhan’s Electronic Commerce: The Strategic Perspective (2nd ed.): “Chapter 3: Web Strategy: Attracting and Retaining Visitors” (PDF)
Instructions: Read this chapter (pages 39–52) to understand the different methods for attracting visitors to your website. As you read, consider the following questions: How do you decide who you want to attract? What is the impact of social networking in attracting and retaining site visitors?
Reading this resource and taking notes should take approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Terms of Use: This resource is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License. It is attributed to Richard T. Watson, Pierre Berthon, Leyland F. Pitt, George M. Zinkhan, and the original version can be found here.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Lecture: East Tennessee University: Dr. Tony Pittarese’s CSCI 5710 e-Commerce Implementation: “Online Consumer Behavior and Advertisement Lecture Slides
Link: East Tennessee University: Dr. Tony Pittarese’s CSCI 5710 e-Commerce Implementation: “Online Consumer Behavior and Advertisement Lecture Slides” (PDF and iTunes U)
Instructions: To listen to the podcast, go to the “Spring 2011” section and find the 2/11/11 lecture titled “Consumer Behavior in E-Commerce” (2:18:10).
To view the corresponding slides, scroll down the page to the section titled “CSCI 5710 e-Commerce Implementation” andclick the “Online Customer Behavior and Advertisement” link under “Spring 2011” to get the PDF of the slides.
As you listen to the podcasts and view the slides consider the following questions: Why is understanding how customers decide important to e-commerce? What factors do customers consider in their “what” and “where to buy” decision processes? What e-commerce tools for predictable consumer behavior are available?
Viewing the slides, listening to the podcasts, and taking notes should take approximately 3 hours.
Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpages above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: The Orange Grove: Watson, Berthon, Pitt, and Zinkhan’s Electronic Commerce: The Strategic Perspective (2nd ed.): “Chapter 3: Web Strategy: Attracting and Retaining Visitors”
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4.2 Research on Internet Use
- Reading: Pew Internet & American Life Project: John Horrigan’s “Online Shopping” and “The Internet and Consumer Choice”
Link: Pew Internet & American Life Project: John Horrigan’s “Online Shopping” (PDF or HTML) and “The Internet and Consumer Choice” (PDF or HTML)
Instructions: The Pew Internet & American Life Project explores “the impact of the internet on families, communities, work and home, daily life, education, health care, and civic and political life.” You can find out more about this project here. Download and read both reports. The first report, titled “Online Shopping,” is 32 pages and will provide you with an understanding of how the Internet is being used by American consumers. The second report, titled “The Internet and Consumer Choice” is 42 pages and will discuss the effect that the Internet is having on consumers.
Reading these articles and taking notes should take approximately 3 hours.
Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: Pew Internet & American Life Project: John Horrigan’s “Online Shopping” and “The Internet and Consumer Choice”
- 4.3 Marketing Online
-
4.3.1 Online Advertising
- Reading: e-Marketing: The Essential Guide to Online Marketing: “Chapter 3: Online Advertising”
Link: e-Marketing: The Essential Guide to Online Marketing: “Chapter 3: Online Advertising” (HTML)
Instructions: Once you are online, you will want to begin attracting customers to your site. There are several ways to draw people to your site. In subunits 4.3.1, 4.3.2, and 4.4, we will talk about the three primary ways a company can do this: online advertising, search engines, and e-mail marketing. Read this chapter to understand how online advertising works.
Reading this resource and taking notes should take approximately 2 hours.
Terms of Use: This text was adapted by The Saylor Foundation under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 License without attribution as requested by the work’s original creator or licensee.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: e-Marketing: The Essential Guide to Online Marketing: “Chapter 3: Online Advertising”
-
4.3.2 Search Engine Marketing
- Reading: e-Marketing: The Essential Guide to Online Marketing: “Chapters 5, 6, and 7”
Link: e-Marketing: The Essential Guide to Online Marketing: “Chapters 5, 6, and 7” (PDF)
Instructions: Read Chapter 5 to understand the role of a search engine as part of a marketing strategy. Also, read Chapter 6 to understand how a website can be optimized for search engines. Then, read Chapter 7 to understand how a website can be optimized for search engines.
Reading this resource and taking notes should take approximately 2 hours.
Terms of Use: This text was adapted by The Saylor Foundation under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 License without attribution as requested by the work’s original creator or licensee.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: Information Systems: A Manager’s Guide to Harnessing Technology: “Chapter 8: Google: Search, Online Advertising, and Beyond...”
Link: Information Systems: A Manager’s Guide to Harnessing Technology: “Chapter 8: Google: Search, Online Advertising, and Beyond....” (PDF)
Instructions: Read Chapter 8 to understand the role of a search engine as part of a marketing strategy. You may either click on the arrow keys to move on to each page of the chapter, or use the Table of Contents on the left side of the webpage to access each section.
Reading this resource and taking notes should take approximately 2 hours.
Terms of Use: This text was adapted by The Saylor Foundation under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 License without attribution as requested by the work’s original creator or licensee.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: e-Marketing: The Essential Guide to Online Marketing: “Chapters 5, 6, and 7”
-
4.4 E-Mail Marketing
- Reading: e-Marketing: The Essential Guide to Online Marketing: “Chapter 2: E-Mail Marketing”
Link: e-Marketing: The Essential Guide to Online Marketing: “Chapter 2: E-Mail Marketing” (HTML)
Instructions: Read this chapter to learn how e-mail can be used as a marketing tool.
Reading this resource and taking notes should take approximately 1 hour.
Terms of Use: This text was adapted by The Saylor Foundation under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 License without attribution as requested by the work’s original creator or licensee.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: e-Marketing: The Essential Guide to Online Marketing: “Chapter 2: E-Mail Marketing”
-
Unit 4 Assessment
- Assessment: The Saylor Foundation’s “Unit 4 Checkpoint”
Link: The Saylor Foundation’s “Unit 4 Checkpoint” (PDF)
Instructions: Please open the “Unit 1 Checkpoint” document and follow the instructions. When
you have completed the assessment, check your answers with the answer key found here
(PDF).
Completing this activity should take approximately 30 minutes.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Assessment: The Saylor Foundation’s “Unit 4 Checkpoint”
-
Unit 5: Technology Trends
No course in the strategic use of information technology in business would be complete if it did not cover technology trends. These trends are impacting how businesses use technology, and how companies choose to utilize technological tools will have a profound impact on the future of the organization. In this unit, we will focus on understanding such technologies as Cloud Computing, Web 2.0, and mobile processing.
Unit 5 Time Advisory show close
Unit 5 Learning Outcomes show close
- 5.1 Cloud Computing
-
5.1.1 The Role of Software
- Reading: Information Systems: A Manager’s Guide to Harnessing Technology: “Chapter 9: Understanding Software: A Primer for Managers”
Link: Information Systems: A Manager’s Guide to Harnessing Technology: “Chapter 9: Understanding Software: A Primer for Managers” (PDF)
Instructions: In order to understand cloud computing and its implications, it is important to first understand software and its use as part of your IT strategy. Read this chapter to gain an understanding of the role of software. You may either click on the arrow keys to move on to each page of the chapter or use the Table of Contents on the left side of the webpage to access Sections 1–6.
Reading this resource and taking notes should take approximately 2 hours.
Terms of Use: This text was adapted by The Saylor Foundation under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 License without attribution as requested by the work’s original creator or licensee.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: Information Systems: A Manager’s Guide to Harnessing Technology: “Chapter 9: Understanding Software: A Primer for Managers”
-
5.1.2 Cloud Computing
- Web Media: YouTube: Salesforce’s “What Is Cloud Computing?”
Link: YouTube: Salesforce’s “What Is Cloud Computing?” (YouTube)
Instructions: Watch this video to get a good summary of what is meant by cloud computing. Note: The use of this video does not imply a recommendation for or against products or services from Salesforce.
Watching this video and taking notes should take less than 15 minutes.
Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: IDG Communications’ CIO: Kevin Fogarty’s “Cloud Computing: Definition and Solutions”
Link: IDG Communications’ CIO: Kevin Fogarty’s “Cloud Computing: Definitions and Solutions” (HTML)
Instructions: Read this article to get a more in-depth look at cloud computing. Pay special attention to the pros and cons so that you understand both why you might want to use cloud computing and why you might not. Remember to click on the “next page” link at the bottom of the reading to move on to each subsequent page of the article.
Reading this resource and taking notes should take approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: Information Systems: A Manager’s Guide to Harnessing Technology: “Chapter 10: Software in Flux: Partly Cloudy and Sometimes Free”
Link: Information Systems: A Manager’s Guide to Harnessing Technology: “Chapter 10: Software in Flux: Partly Cloudy and Sometimes Free” (PDF)
Instructions: Read this chapter to see how cloud computing fits into a software strategy. You may either click on the arrow keys to move on to each page of the chapter or use the Table of Contents on the left side of the webpage to access Sections 1–12.
Reading this resource and taking notes should take approximately 2 hours.
Terms of Use: This text was adapted by The Saylor Foundation under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 License without attribution as requested by the work’s original creator or licensee.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Web Media: YouTube: Salesforce’s “What Is Cloud Computing?”
-
5.2 Web 2.0
- Reading: Information Systems: A Manager’s Guide to Harnessing Technology: “Chapter 6: Peer Production, Social Media, and Web 2.0” and “Chapter 7: Facebook: Building a Business from the Social Graph”
Link: Information Systems: A Manager’s Guide to Harnessing Technology: “Chapter 6: Peer Production, Social Media, and Web 2.0” (PDF) and “Chapter 7: Facebook: Building a Business from the Social Graph” (PDF)
Instructions: In the past few years, the way we interact with the World Wide Web has changed dramatically. In the early days of the web, websites were static, and there were only a few simple ways to post information. You had to be an expert and become a webmaster in order to manage a website.
Today, interacting with websites and creating your own content is simple. How many of us have a blog, a Facebook page, or a LinkedIn account? Businesses can learn to take advantage of this trend, allowing their customers to interact directly with them.
In this subunit, we will focus on understanding Web 2.0, with a focus on social media and collaboration. Read Chapter 6 to get a full understanding of the different aspects of Web 2.0 and related technologies. Then, read Chapter 7 in its entirety; this chapter focuses specifically on how Facebook is having an impact on business. You may either click on the arrow keys to move on to each page of the chapter, or use the Table of Contents on the left side of the webpage to access each section (Sections 1–8 for Chapter 6 and Sections 1–10 for Chapter 7).
Reading this resource and taking notes should take approximately 3 hours.
Terms of Use: This text was adapted by The Saylor Foundation under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 License without attribution as requested by the work’s original creator or licensee.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Web Media: YouTube: Dr. Michael Wesch’s “The Machine Is Us/ing Us”
Link: YouTube: Dr. Michael Wesch’s “The Machine Is Us/ing Us” (YouTube)
Instructions: Watch this video for an interesting look at how Web 2.0 is changing everything. Take a few minutes to jot down answers to the following questions: What is Web 2.0? What new internet capabilities are available with Web 2.0?
Watching this video and taking notes should take less than 15 minutes.
Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: Techipedia.com: Tamar Weinberg’s “How to Use Facebook for Business and Marketing”
Link: Techipedia.com: Tamar Weinberg’s “How to Use Facebook for Business and Marketing” (HTML)
Instructions: This article focuses on practical ways a business can use Facebook. Read this article to better understand how this social network can help your business reach your customers.
Reading this resource and taking notes should take approximately 1 hour.
Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: Information Systems: A Manager’s Guide to Harnessing Technology: “Chapter 6: Peer Production, Social Media, and Web 2.0” and “Chapter 7: Facebook: Building a Business from the Social Graph”
-
5.3 Mobile Technology
- Reading: IDG Communications’ CIO: Gary Beach’s “The Dawning of the Age of Mobility”
Link: IDG Communications’ CIO: Gary Beach’s “The Dawning of the Age of Mobility” (HTML)
Instructions: Read this article to gain insight into another big trend that is changing the way that businesses use technology strategically: mobile devices. These mobile devices, such as the iPhone, iPad, and Android phones, are being adopted at a faster rate than the PC was when it was first introduced. In this subunit, we will work to understand the impact of mobile technologies and learn some best practices for implementing a mobile strategy for a business.
Reading this resource and taking notes should take approximately 30 minutes.
Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Web Media: YouTube: GoogleMobileAds’ “Think Mobile Live Streaming 2/10/2011”
Link: YouTube: GoogleMobileAds’ “Think Mobile Live Streaming 2/10/2011” (YouTube)
Instructions: There are essentially two parts to this video. The first part is a presentation by Mary Meeker and Matt Murphy on 10 mobile trends, which lasts the first 40 minutes. The second part is a presentation by Jason Spero on how to think about mobile processing. Watch this video. You can also directly access the slides for this presentation by going to “Think Mobile with Google” (PDF) and clicking the link for “10 mobile trends” and “The Time for Mobile is Now.” These are PDF files of the presentation slides.
Watching this video and taking notes should take approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: New York Times: Lora Kolodny’s “Do All Small Businesses Need a Mobile Strategy?”
Link: New York Times: Lora Kolodny’s “Do All Small Businesses Need a Mobile Strategy?” (HTML)
Instructions: Read this article to get a feel for some steps that any business can do to implement a mobile strategy.
Reading this resource and taking notes should take approximately 30 minutes.
Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Web Media: Mashable: Jolie O’Dell’s “How Small Businesses Are Using Mobile”
Link: Mashable: Jolie O’Dell’s “How Small Businesses Are Using Mobile” (HTML)
Instructions: Review the infographics on the different ways small businesses are using mobile. Which capabilities and processes have you utilized? Do you see any new features you can start using?
Reading this resource and taking notes should take approximately 1 hour.
Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: e-Marketing: The Essential Guide to Online Marketing: “Chapter 16: Mobile Marketing”
Link: e-Marketing: The Essential Guide to Online Marketing: “Chapter 16: Mobile Marketing” (HTML)
Instructions: Read this chapter to learn how e-mail and texting can be used as a marketing tool. You may either click on the arrow keys to move on to each page of the chapter, or use the Table of Contents on the left side of the webpage to access Sections 1–8.
As you read, consider the last presidential election. How were the concepts in the reading utilized to impact the outcome of the election?
Reading this resource and taking notes should take approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Terms of Use: This text was adapted by The Saylor Foundation under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 License without attribution as requested by the work’s original creator or licensee.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: IDG Communications’ CIO: Gary Beach’s “The Dawning of the Age of Mobility”
-
Unit 5 Assessment
- Assessment: The Saylor Foundation’s “Unit 5 Checkpoint”
Link: The Saylor Foundation’s “Unit 5 Checkpoint” (PDF)
Instructions: Please open the “Unit 5 Checkpoint” document and follow the instructions. When
you have completed the assessment, check your answers with the answer key found here
(PDF).
Completing this activity should take approximately 20 minutes.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Assessment: The Saylor Foundation’s “Unit 5 Checkpoint”
-
Unit 6: Creating a Technology Strategy
One of the overall goals of this course is that you would learn how to think strategically in relation to the use of information technology. As you learned in an earlier unit, making good use of social media technologies are a key part of many organizations’ technology (and marketing) strategies. In this unit, you will focus on how to develop a strategy for using social media in your organization.
Unit 6 Time Advisory show close
Unit 6 Learning Outcomes show close
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6.1 What Is a Strategy?
- Reading: QuickMBA’s “The Strategic Planning Process” and “Hierarchical Levels of Strategy”
Link: QuickMBA’s “The Strategic Planning Process” (HTML) and “Hierarchical Levels of Strategy” (HTML)
Instructions: Read these articles to learn about strategic planning at different levels of a company.
Note that IT strategic planning could be at different levels depending upon the company. If a company sees IT in a support role, then IT strategic planning would be at the functional level. However, if a company sees IT as part of their competitive advantage, then IT could be integrated into corporate or business level strategy.
Reading these articles and taking notes should take approximately 1 hour.
Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: QuickMBA’s “The Strategic Planning Process” and “Hierarchical Levels of Strategy”
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6.2 Strategy and CSR
- Reading: tutor2u: Jim Riley’s “Introduction to CSR”
Link: tutor2u: Jim Riley’s “Introduction to CSR” (HTML)
Instructions: Read the webpage for a quick overview of corporate social responsibility (CSR). What are the four categories of CSR? Why is CSR a consideration in strategic planning?
Reading this resource and taking notes should take approximately 45 minutes.
Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Web Media: The Prince’s Accounting for Sustainability Project’s “Costing the Earth”
Link: The Prince’s Accounting for Sustainability Project: “Costing the Earth” (Adobe Flash)
Instructions: Watch this video to see how many of the four CSR (corporate social responsibility) categories Jim Riley discussed are also embedded in this presentation.
Watching this video and taking notes should take less than 15 minutes.
Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: tutor2u: Jim Riley’s “Introduction to CSR”
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6.3 Developing an IT Strategy
- Reading: Journal of Information Technology Management: Smith, McKeen, and Singh’s “Developing Information Technology Strategy for Business Value”
Link: Journal of Information Technology Management: Smith, McKeen, and Singh’s “Developing Information Technology Strategy for Business Value” (PDF)
Instructions: Go to the website linked above, and then click on the hyperlink for the title of the article to open the PDF file; it should be the fourth one down. Read this article. What are the key elements involved in developing an effective IT strategy in an organization? What factors are critical to the success of this development process?
Reading this resource and taking notes should take approximately 1 hour.
Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: Cooperation Commons: mdangeard’s “Strategy and the Internet Revisited”
Link: Cooperation Commons: mdangeard’s “Strategy and the Internet Revisited” (HTML)
Instructions: Read the entire blog entry. This entry gives a good summary of Porter’s landmark article “Strategy and the Internet,” published in 2001 in Harvard Business Review, and provides additional insights into changes in the way the Internet is viewed as a part of strategy.
Reading this resource and taking notes should take approximately 1 hour.
Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Web Media: Web Strategy: Jeremiah Owyang’s “Jeremiah Owyang at the Mobile Marketing Strategies Summit in San Francisco” Video and Slides
Link: Web Strategy: Jeremiah Owyang’s “Jeremiah Owyang at the Mobile Marketing Strategies Summit in San Francisco” (HTML and Adobe Flash)
Instructions: This blog post has the video of Mr. Owyang’s presentation along with the slides. Watch this video and move through the slide show to get an idea of how to develop a strategy around mobile technologies.
Watching this video, studying the slides, and taking notes should take approximately 1 hour.
Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.
See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: IDG Communications’ CIO: Chris Potts’s “Let the Business Drive IT Strategy”
Link: IDG Communications’ CIO: Chris Potts’s “Let the Business Drive IT Strategy” (HTML)
Instructions: Read this article, which reviews how a technology strategy should be developed. Make sure to click on the “next page” button at the bottom of each page to move on to subsequent pages of the article.
Reading this resource and taking notes should take approximately 1 hour.
Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: Journal of Information Technology Management: Smith, McKeen, and Singh’s “Developing Information Technology Strategy for Business Value”
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6.4 Writing Your Own IT Strategy
- Activity: The Saylor Foundation’s “Develop Your Own Social Media Strategy and Sample Solution”
Link: The Saylor Foundation’s “Develop Your Own Social Media Strategy and Sample Solution” (PDF)
Instructions: Please download the file linked above, and complete the activity according to the instructions.
Completing this activity should take approximately 5 hours.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Activity: The Saylor Foundation’s “Develop Your Own Social Media Strategy and Sample Solution”
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Final Exam
- Final Exam: The Saylor Foundation’s BUS303 Final Exam
Link: The Saylor Foundation’s BUS303 Final Exam
Instructions: You must be logged into your Saylor Foundation School account in order to access this exam. If you do not yet have an account, you will be able to create one, free of charge, after clicking the link.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Final Exam: The Saylor Foundation’s BUS303 Final Exam
