Managing Information Systems and Electronic Commerce
Chapter 12
Managing Information Systems and Electronic Commerce
Chapter Overview
Businesses are faced with an overwhelming amount of data and information about customers, competitors, and their own operations. The ability to manage this input can mean the difference between success and failure. New digital technologies have revolutionized the information management process.
Data communication networks efficiently carry streams of digital data via telecommunication systems, or networks. The Internet is a gigantic system of networks linking millions of computers around the world. Individuals can subscribe to the net via an Internet service provider, or ISP. The World Wide Web is a system with universally accepted standards for storing, formatting, retrieving, and displaying information, providing user-friendly access to information on the Internet. Intranets are private networks that companies can develop to extend Net technology internally, accessible only to employees of each company.
The rapid growth of information technologies has led to new options for organizational design. Firms have become leaner because networked organizations can maintain electronic information linkages among employees and customers. Operations are more flexible because electronic networks allow businesses to offer greater product variety and faster delivery cycles. Through intranets and the Internet, organizations are engaged in greater collaboration, both among internal units and with outside firms. Geographic separation of the workplace and company headquarters is more feasible and increasingly common. Finally, management processes are improving because managers have rapid access to more information about company activities and easier access to electronic tools for planning and decision-making.
Different information system application programs are available for users at various organizational levels. For knowledge workers and office workers, the
Managing Information Systems and Electronic Commerce
Chapter Overview
Businesses are faced with an overwhelming amount of data and information about customers, competitors, and their own operations. The ability to manage this input can mean the difference between success and failure. New digital technologies have revolutionized the information management process.
Data communication networks efficiently carry streams of digital data via telecommunication systems, or networks. The Internet is a gigantic system of networks linking millions of computers around the world. Individuals can subscribe to the net via an Internet service provider, or ISP. The World Wide Web is a system with universally accepted standards for storing, formatting, retrieving, and displaying information, providing user-friendly access to information on the Internet. Intranets are private networks that companies can develop to extend Net technology internally, accessible only to employees of each company.
The rapid growth of information technologies has led to new options for organizational design. Firms have become leaner because networked organizations can maintain electronic information linkages among employees and customers. Operations are more flexible because electronic networks allow businesses to offer greater product variety and faster delivery cycles. Through intranets and the Internet, organizations are engaged in greater collaboration, both among internal units and with outside firms. Geographic separation of the workplace and company headquarters is more feasible and increasingly common. Finally, management processes are improving because managers have rapid access to more information about company activities and easier access to electronic tools for planning and decision-making.
Different information system application programs are available for users at various organizational levels. For knowledge workers and office workers, the