MIST 7500 - Fall 2013; D1 Connecting business and IS/IT

 The internet has been in a transition for the last 10 years to a more interactive entity. The term Web 2.0 was coined by Darcy DiNucci in 1999 and popularized by Tim O’Reilly at a web conference in 2004. The advent of cloud computing and web connectivity has reduced business costs, opened collaboration efforts around the globe, offered more resources, and improved supply chains (to name a few). The emergence of “digital firms” has allowed for greater flexibility in organizations and management and accomplishing core business processes. Companies have been shifting their financial resources to improve on their information systems because they can see a quicker return on investment.

Here are six strategic business objectives:

• Operational excellence – improving operations to increase profitability.
• New products and services – New technology-based tools like tablet computing.
• Customer and supplier intimacy – Customer-focused services that bring return business.
• Improved decision making – More accurate information available so management can make informed decisions.
• Competitive advantage – Offering better products and services for less.
• Survival – Maintaining or increasing market share in an uncertain world.

What are information systems?
They are a set of components that are interrelated. They collect, process and store data that is distributed into a meaningful format (called information) for business decision-makers. It makes sense out of a multitude of confusing data. Some enterprise-level systems that are currently in use:

• TPS: Transaction Processing System – Transactional tool like “Square”.
• CRM: Customer Relations Management – Records customer information like “SalesForce”.
• SCM: Supply Chain Management system – Records supply chain information like “Logility Voyager Solutions”.
• ERP: Enterprise Resource Planning – Integrates all company stakeholders and the systems like “SAP”.
• BPM: Business Process Management – Allows employees to document, automate and improve processes like “Process Maker”.
• BI: Business Intelligence system – Cost effective analytics and reporting systems like “JasperSoft”.

We also looked at a software package that connects our existing business models to the infrastructure side of business. It is called ArchiMate. It allows managers to identify key activities and resources that support the business model. It also highlights assets that might not be properly utilized. This modeling software breaks down the model into three distinct "layers".

• Business Layer - The business model
• Application Layer - The software and applications that are used in the business
• Technology Layer - The hardware infrastructure of the business

There are many systems that help companies and their stakeholders succeed in the market today. Finding the tools that work best for your organization is the challenge as businesses move into the “Web 2.0” era.