CHAPTER ONE QUESTIONS
1. What is information technology and why is it important? Suggest three
fictitious headlines that might be added to Figure 1-1 on page 2.
a. Information technology is the combination of hardware, software, and services
that people use to manage, communicate, and share information. IT is a large
subject that encompasses all aspects of managing and processing information.
Information technology is important because it provides advances in hardware,
software and connectivity that benefits the businesses and people who embrace
it.
b. Three fictitious headlines that can be included in Figure 1-1 that show the impact
of technology on our lives are:
i. Virtual Reality: Traveling Without Leaving Your Home
ii. New App makes Grocery Lists for You
iii. Amazon Makes Shopping INSTANT
2. Define business profiles, processes, and modeling
a. A business profile is an overview that describes a company's overall function,
processes, organization, products, services, customers, suppliers, competitors,
constraints, and future direction. A business process is a specific set of
transactions, events, and results that can be described and documented. A
business model graphically displays one or more business processes. So, the
business profile is just simply understanding what a company stands for and
what they offer and what kind of competition and outlook the business has.
The business process helps set up the business model because the process
helps document the transaction and then it can be correctly displayed with a
3. Write a business profile for a large business in your town. You can use your
imagination to supply details you might not know.
chart.
a. AmStar 16 Cinemas, located in Macon, Georgia, is owned and operated by
Southern Theaters LLC which is owned by George Solomon. The mission for
AmStar Cinemas is to provide their customers with a friendly customer service
experience as well as a quiet and comfortable environment for them to enjoy the
latest and most entertaining movies. “Southern Theaters, LLC. is the eighth
largest theater circuit in The United States and is currently responsible for the
daily operations of The Grand Theaters, Amstar Cinemas, The Theaters at Canal
Place and oversight of operations for Movie Tavern. The company operates 41
locations with 454 screens in Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky and
many other states. Southern Theaters, LLC. is well positioned for continued
expansion in key markets throughout the United States. Southern Theaters, LLC.
is proud to be headquartered in New Orleans, LA (“The Grand Theater” 2017).”
The products that AmStar supplies are ICEE products and Arctic Blasts. The food
products, such as popcorn, are owned by the theater. However, the other food
products such as candy are owned by the specific company branded on the
package, such as “Trolli Gummy Worms” and “Sweet Tarts.” The theater also
provides services to aid in the customer’s movie experience. They offer one free
refill for large drinks and large popcorn tubs. With the “Reel Rewards” program,
the customer earns one reward point for every ten dollars spent. With the
rewards points, a customer can purchase various discounts on concessions and
movie tickets. Most of the customers that frequent the theaters live in Macon,
while some customers travel from Warner Robins and other cities to join friends in
the Macon area. The competition that AmStar faces comes from the “Galleria
Mall” theater and from “Houston Lakes Stadium Cinemas 12.” AmStar 16 plans to
provide the greatest customer service experience for their customers and the
most decadent concessions. Macon’s AmStar 16 plans to lure the most
, prestigious and well-valued movie critics to show Georgia and the surrounding
area how wonderful its movie theater is.
4. What strategies are Wal-Mart and Lowe’s using to gain more online customers?
a. The strategies in use by Wal-Mart and Lowe’s to gain more online customers combines the ease
5. Identify the main components of an information system. What is a mission- critical system?
The main components of an information system are hardware, software, data, processes, and peop
Mission-critical systems are those that are necessary for an organization to carry out operations (R
6. Compare enterprise computing systems to transaction processing systems.
Provide three examples of each type of system.
a. An enterprise computing system is the computing environment of the enterprise
that runs all phases of operation to facilitate coordination and cooperation of all
business operations. It integrates key business functions, such as, sales,
accounting, finance, human resource, inventory and manufacturing. Examples of
enterprise computing system comprise of the hardware, software, and the
associated computing practices. Transaction processing systems are systems that
are used within an enterprise to offer support and organization in the processing
of large amounts of work that involve the use of paper work, which are applied in
the production of recording items such as, invoices. Therefore, the transaction
processing systems comprise of systems that offer system runtime functions,
system administration functions, and application and development functions.
(Answered: Brandon Tidwell)
7. What are the four organizational levels common to many businesses? Which
level typically requires data that supports long-term strategic planning and
the overall business enterprise? What level of worker might rely heavily on
transaction processing systems?
a. The four organizational levels common to many businesses include top
managers, middle managers and knowledge workers, supervisors and team
leaders, and operational workers.
1. The top managers are, generally, your C-level individuals that develop the
strategic plans for the company, using enterprise data. Enterprise data is
meant to include data for the entire company, so they’re looking at divisions
or regions and how those compare to the company as a whole. The
responsibility of the top managers includes evaluation of current company
successes and failures and evaluating outside information like economic
forecasts, technological trends, competitive threats and governmental issues.
, 2. Middle managers, generally, require data that supports the strategic plans
the top managers set forth. Middle managers are critical to providing the
team leaders and managers direction, necessary resources, and performance
feedback.
3. Knowledge workers, many times, are the analysts that provide the
reports the middle managers use.
4. Supervisors and team leaders oversee the management of operational
employees. The data supervisors and team leaders require is generally very
specific to the jobs they are tasked to accomplish. Finally, operational
employees are the day-to-day workers that interact heavily with transaction
processing systems, like point-of-sale, service scheduling, or warranty claim
systems.
b. In a retail setting, the order might look something like this: the top manager is
the store manager. The middle managers and knowledge workers would consist
of assistant managers. Supervisors and team leaders would be department
managers and operational employees would be the individuals that work check-
out registers, answer customer questions, and re-stock shelves.
8. Describe three systems development tools and three development methods.
a. Three systems development tools include Modeling, Prototyping and CASE Tools.
1. Modeling is a graphical representation of a process that can be analyzed by
system developers. An information system can be explained by using by using
models of business, data, objects, networks and other system components.
2. Prototyping tests system concepts, providing an opportunity to examine the
input, output and user interfaces before a final decision is made. An early
working model of an information system is called a prototype.
3. Computer Aided Systems Engineering (CASE) is a technique to help
system analysts develop and maintain information systems, using
powerful software called CASE Tools. CASE Tools provide a framework for
the system development process by providing tools that help in the
design and implementation of information systems.
b. The three most popular options for developing information systems are,
structured analysis, which consists of a series of phased called Systems
Development Life Cycle (SDLC); object-oriented analysis, which is preferred by
many developers, views the system in terms of objects that combine data and
processes; and agile methods, also called adaptive methods, are very flexible in
terms of adding or changing functionality.
9. What are the phases of the SDLC waterfall model? Who was Barry Boehm, and
what did he have to say about spiral models?
a. The phases of the SDLC waterfall model are systems planning, systems analysis,
systems design, systems implementation, and systems security and support.
Barry Boehm is a software engineering professor who stated that each iteration
of the model must have a specific goal that is accepted, rejected, or changed by
the user. Thus, each iteration produces feedback and enhancements, which
enable the team to reach the overall project goal.
10. Review the IBM history on page 4, and then consider the powerful
statement shown in Figure 1-33 on page 33. Is there a connection between
the two? Why or why not?
a. A connection can be made between the statement on page 33 and the IBM
history on page 4; The statement on page 33 details how an individual can grow
and learn through collaboration, even changing the world, at IBM. Whereas the
IBM history on page 4 is a direct parallel to the mission statement, telling the
1. What is information technology and why is it important? Suggest three
fictitious headlines that might be added to Figure 1-1 on page 2.
a. Information technology is the combination of hardware, software, and services
that people use to manage, communicate, and share information. IT is a large
subject that encompasses all aspects of managing and processing information.
Information technology is important because it provides advances in hardware,
software and connectivity that benefits the businesses and people who embrace
it.
b. Three fictitious headlines that can be included in Figure 1-1 that show the impact
of technology on our lives are:
i. Virtual Reality: Traveling Without Leaving Your Home
ii. New App makes Grocery Lists for You
iii. Amazon Makes Shopping INSTANT
2. Define business profiles, processes, and modeling
a. A business profile is an overview that describes a company's overall function,
processes, organization, products, services, customers, suppliers, competitors,
constraints, and future direction. A business process is a specific set of
transactions, events, and results that can be described and documented. A
business model graphically displays one or more business processes. So, the
business profile is just simply understanding what a company stands for and
what they offer and what kind of competition and outlook the business has.
The business process helps set up the business model because the process
helps document the transaction and then it can be correctly displayed with a
3. Write a business profile for a large business in your town. You can use your
imagination to supply details you might not know.
chart.
a. AmStar 16 Cinemas, located in Macon, Georgia, is owned and operated by
Southern Theaters LLC which is owned by George Solomon. The mission for
AmStar Cinemas is to provide their customers with a friendly customer service
experience as well as a quiet and comfortable environment for them to enjoy the
latest and most entertaining movies. “Southern Theaters, LLC. is the eighth
largest theater circuit in The United States and is currently responsible for the
daily operations of The Grand Theaters, Amstar Cinemas, The Theaters at Canal
Place and oversight of operations for Movie Tavern. The company operates 41
locations with 454 screens in Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky and
many other states. Southern Theaters, LLC. is well positioned for continued
expansion in key markets throughout the United States. Southern Theaters, LLC.
is proud to be headquartered in New Orleans, LA (“The Grand Theater” 2017).”
The products that AmStar supplies are ICEE products and Arctic Blasts. The food
products, such as popcorn, are owned by the theater. However, the other food
products such as candy are owned by the specific company branded on the
package, such as “Trolli Gummy Worms” and “Sweet Tarts.” The theater also
provides services to aid in the customer’s movie experience. They offer one free
refill for large drinks and large popcorn tubs. With the “Reel Rewards” program,
the customer earns one reward point for every ten dollars spent. With the
rewards points, a customer can purchase various discounts on concessions and
movie tickets. Most of the customers that frequent the theaters live in Macon,
while some customers travel from Warner Robins and other cities to join friends in
the Macon area. The competition that AmStar faces comes from the “Galleria
Mall” theater and from “Houston Lakes Stadium Cinemas 12.” AmStar 16 plans to
provide the greatest customer service experience for their customers and the
most decadent concessions. Macon’s AmStar 16 plans to lure the most
, prestigious and well-valued movie critics to show Georgia and the surrounding
area how wonderful its movie theater is.
4. What strategies are Wal-Mart and Lowe’s using to gain more online customers?
a. The strategies in use by Wal-Mart and Lowe’s to gain more online customers combines the ease
5. Identify the main components of an information system. What is a mission- critical system?
The main components of an information system are hardware, software, data, processes, and peop
Mission-critical systems are those that are necessary for an organization to carry out operations (R
6. Compare enterprise computing systems to transaction processing systems.
Provide three examples of each type of system.
a. An enterprise computing system is the computing environment of the enterprise
that runs all phases of operation to facilitate coordination and cooperation of all
business operations. It integrates key business functions, such as, sales,
accounting, finance, human resource, inventory and manufacturing. Examples of
enterprise computing system comprise of the hardware, software, and the
associated computing practices. Transaction processing systems are systems that
are used within an enterprise to offer support and organization in the processing
of large amounts of work that involve the use of paper work, which are applied in
the production of recording items such as, invoices. Therefore, the transaction
processing systems comprise of systems that offer system runtime functions,
system administration functions, and application and development functions.
(Answered: Brandon Tidwell)
7. What are the four organizational levels common to many businesses? Which
level typically requires data that supports long-term strategic planning and
the overall business enterprise? What level of worker might rely heavily on
transaction processing systems?
a. The four organizational levels common to many businesses include top
managers, middle managers and knowledge workers, supervisors and team
leaders, and operational workers.
1. The top managers are, generally, your C-level individuals that develop the
strategic plans for the company, using enterprise data. Enterprise data is
meant to include data for the entire company, so they’re looking at divisions
or regions and how those compare to the company as a whole. The
responsibility of the top managers includes evaluation of current company
successes and failures and evaluating outside information like economic
forecasts, technological trends, competitive threats and governmental issues.
, 2. Middle managers, generally, require data that supports the strategic plans
the top managers set forth. Middle managers are critical to providing the
team leaders and managers direction, necessary resources, and performance
feedback.
3. Knowledge workers, many times, are the analysts that provide the
reports the middle managers use.
4. Supervisors and team leaders oversee the management of operational
employees. The data supervisors and team leaders require is generally very
specific to the jobs they are tasked to accomplish. Finally, operational
employees are the day-to-day workers that interact heavily with transaction
processing systems, like point-of-sale, service scheduling, or warranty claim
systems.
b. In a retail setting, the order might look something like this: the top manager is
the store manager. The middle managers and knowledge workers would consist
of assistant managers. Supervisors and team leaders would be department
managers and operational employees would be the individuals that work check-
out registers, answer customer questions, and re-stock shelves.
8. Describe three systems development tools and three development methods.
a. Three systems development tools include Modeling, Prototyping and CASE Tools.
1. Modeling is a graphical representation of a process that can be analyzed by
system developers. An information system can be explained by using by using
models of business, data, objects, networks and other system components.
2. Prototyping tests system concepts, providing an opportunity to examine the
input, output and user interfaces before a final decision is made. An early
working model of an information system is called a prototype.
3. Computer Aided Systems Engineering (CASE) is a technique to help
system analysts develop and maintain information systems, using
powerful software called CASE Tools. CASE Tools provide a framework for
the system development process by providing tools that help in the
design and implementation of information systems.
b. The three most popular options for developing information systems are,
structured analysis, which consists of a series of phased called Systems
Development Life Cycle (SDLC); object-oriented analysis, which is preferred by
many developers, views the system in terms of objects that combine data and
processes; and agile methods, also called adaptive methods, are very flexible in
terms of adding or changing functionality.
9. What are the phases of the SDLC waterfall model? Who was Barry Boehm, and
what did he have to say about spiral models?
a. The phases of the SDLC waterfall model are systems planning, systems analysis,
systems design, systems implementation, and systems security and support.
Barry Boehm is a software engineering professor who stated that each iteration
of the model must have a specific goal that is accepted, rejected, or changed by
the user. Thus, each iteration produces feedback and enhancements, which
enable the team to reach the overall project goal.
10. Review the IBM history on page 4, and then consider the powerful
statement shown in Figure 1-33 on page 33. Is there a connection between
the two? Why or why not?
a. A connection can be made between the statement on page 33 and the IBM
history on page 4; The statement on page 33 details how an individual can grow
and learn through collaboration, even changing the world, at IBM. Whereas the
IBM history on page 4 is a direct parallel to the mission statement, telling the
