Information Systems & IT Solution: Theories, Methods, and Techniques

This report explains the theories and methods related to IT solutions, information technology systems, impact of information on globalization, evaluation of digital infrastructure, risks associated with information systems outsourcing, and significance of IT to digital transformation.

BSc (Hons) Business Management
Cohort 2
BMP4005
Information Systems and Big Data
Analysis
Information Systems & IT Solution
2019/2020
February 2020/Semester 1
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Contents
Introduction 2
Task 1: Theories, methods and techniques which relate to
the design and development for TWO of the IT solutions
listed here: (i) McAfee; (ii) Moodle; (iii) Canvas; (iv) MS
Office 2
Task 2: Explanation of the systems below with relevant
examples 3
Task 3: Globalisation and the effects of IT on globalisation
p
Task 4: Definition, example, advantages and
disadvantages of digital infrastructure p
Task 5: Risks associated with information systems
outsourcing and why is IT infrastructure so critical to
digital transformation! P
Conclusion p
References p
Introduction
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Information technology is continuously improving and influencing daily
business practices. The area of business management has benefited from the
development and improvement in the field of information technology and big data
analysis. Betterment in information technology has affected data management and
usage of digital infrastructure for small businesses and multinational companies
equally (Gardner and et. al., 2019). This report explains the theories and methods
related to IT solutions. In addition to this, information technology systems are
explained in the report and the impact of information on globalization and evaluation
of digital infrastructure is provided in this report. Besides this outsourcing IT
infrastructure risks and significance of IT to digital transformation is provided in this
report.
Task 1: Theories, methods and techniques which relate to
the design and development for TWO of the IT solutions
listed here: (i) McAfee; (ii) Moodle; (iii) Canvas; (iv) MS
Office
McAfee
This information technology software offers computer security solution which
is used by many businesses all over the world. The usage of updated and advanced
security protection software has become an important part of information technology
infrastructure because of the rise of cyber-attacks and Businesses nowadays utilize
IT solutions such as McAfee in order to reduce risks associated with Information
technology vulnerabilities One of the prominent methods used to developed McAfee
IT solution is agile software development cycle. This is part of developing the
software is based on the agile which is also referred to as continuous development/
continuous/ continuous delivery method. There are four stages of this development
life-cycle which support creation of the best software with suitable features for the
target audience. The five stages of the agile software development cycle are
requirements, architecture and design, development and trust and feedback. All of
these stages of the development life-cycle helps leads to the consumer being able to
look at the developed product and determine the level of satisfaction gained from the
product. This helps create a final product which fulfills all the need of the consumers
and helps the company produce a stand out result. Combining both the iterative as
well as incremental process models leads to the formation of agile software
development. By utilization of the agile product development life-cycle, the
production of McAfee software becomes more consumer-centric and increases the
speed of working. This helps enhance the consumer satisfaction and fulfill consumer
requirements in a timely.
MS Office
This is a group of applications which is utilized for completion of basic
computing tasks and is commonly utilized in corporate to enhance employee
productivity. The fluent design system is utilized by Microsoft for developing updated
versions of this information technology solution which helps the company keep the
competitive position in the information technology industry (Jimenez-Jimenez and et.
al., 2019). The key concepts present in this design system are motion, light, material,
scale and motion. By focusing on these key elements in design and development of
MS office Microsoft is able to ensure that the consumers gain the best experience
while using the product. The presence of these five elements which play an essential
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role in creating and influencing the user experience helps the company address even
the minor inconveniences of the consumer. The focus of light aspect during
designing is to ensure that consumers are able to navigate during the usage of
application which increases supervision for the consumer. Emphasize of depth
during designing the MS office application involves ensuring that various icons and
other displays have depth which means presence of a 3rd axis apart from x and y
axis. The choice of introducing the z-axis enhances the clearness of the display in
MS office. Motion is an important aspect of user experience as smooth transitions
between screens along with various actions helps the user effectively manage
various tasks on the application. This showcases the advantage of including motion
as one of the basic components of MS office designing system as it improves
movement and transitions during application usage. The concept of material is
associated with texture of touch while the key component of scale focuses on
consistency (Khatwani and Srivastava, 2018).
Task 2: Explanation of the systems below with relevant
examples
DSS (Decision Support System)
This information technology system provides assistance in making daily
business decisions of a company. The usage of decision's support system helps a
company in identification of the most suitable steps which can be taken in a specific
circumstance and adoption of practises which is beneficial for the company in the
particular scenario. The decision support system is it important technology for
businesses in the current age because the market is continuously fluctuating and
organised issues take help from advanced technology to ensure that they are
moving in the right direction which helps them attain their objectives. The top
management and employees included in middle managers utilise the decision's
support system to judge options which can be taken in a specific scenario so that the
best alternative is used. Employees Main healthcare institutions utilise decisions
about systems which assistant taking decisions related to diagnosis of a patient.
ESS (Executive Support System)
There are various executive level employees in a company which require the
usage of technology for effectively making major decisions related to the future of the
company. The employees included in the list of executive level workforce are
persons chief executive officer principal financial officer principal accounting officer
controller vice president in charge of a principal business unit (Lloyd, 2020).
Executive make major business decisions with the help of executive support system
by evaluating current market position and understanding the role of different
variables in the market to forecast future market position. This information
technology system constructs reports which can be used by executive level
employees for evaluating the market and other major business activities. The outside
database is an example of this technology.
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TPS (Transaction Processing System)
A business conducts various transactions on a daily basis and recording
transactional information of a company plays an important role in decision-making of
various functions such as marketing function and financial function. Information
technology systems can also be used in this scenario and information technology
system most suited for this scenario is the transaction processing system. This
information technology system is utilised for collection, modifications, storage and
ratification of data at a huge scale (Voogt and et. al., 2018). This is beneficial or the
company as it ensures that transactional information of the company is accurately
stored. An example of this system the reservation system used in enterprises.
MIS (Management Information System)
This information system is specifically related to managerial activities in a
company which is evident from the new management information system. The aim of
this information system is coordination, control, lease and visualization of data which
can help the company in managerial process specifically related to people
management. The usage of management information system in a company has
various benefits such as reduction in operational costs and improved quality of
human resources. In addition to this management information system improves data
accuracy and correct data and we simply utilised in a company to make strategic
decisions. Microsoft Dynamics is a widely used example of management information
system.
KSM (Knowledge Management System)
The primary concern of a knowledge management system in a business is to
ensure that the information and knowledge generated in a company can be
effectively utilised and stored to inform current and future decisions of the company.
Knowledge management system ensures that the knowledge of employees as well
as the data collected by the company can be used by the workforce in a shared
manner in order to timely achieve objectives of the company. An effective knowledge
management system supports every employee in participating in knowledge
management so that information and data can be applied to inform strategic
decisions and forward movement of the company. An example of knowledge
management system is knowledge work system.
Task 3: Globalisation and the effects of IT on globalisation
Globalisation has resulted in various benefits such as free flow in terms of
exchanging ideas, capital and human resources across countries which has made
the labour market and economic is more competitive (Xiang, Fesenmaier and
Werthner, 2021). As a result different companies are competing in the same market
which includes both domestic and international organisations. This has increased
consumer choice and consumer power and supported economic progress in many
regions across the world.
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However, rapid globalisation has also caused concern as it can negatively
affect the progress of domestic industries specifically in developing and
underdeveloped countries due to competition from more financially capable
international and multinational conglomerates. As in order to protect
domestic economic growth many countries have also implemented barriers to
regulate and reduce free trade so that domestic organisations can also function
effectively along with international businesses.
This step taken by governments in developing regions supports domestic
economic development. Digital technology has played a central role in facilitating
rapid growth of globalisation and helping developing as well as underdeveloped
countries participate in the process of free flow of ideas finance and human
resources (Benckendorff, Xiang and Sheldon, 2019).
The primary area which has benefited from information technology in context
of globalisation is the exchange of information between individuals across
geographical boundaries. The development of information and communication
technology along with reduced prices of such technology which made it easily
accessible to common individuals supported free flow of information across the
world.
Information technology infrastructure such as email services and Internet
along with worldwide web help create channel for sending and receiving information
which are not really exactly accessible to common individuals but also cheaper than
other means of exchanging information such as telephonic messages.
Task 4: Definition, example, advantages and
disadvantages of digital infrastructure
Digital infrastructure is defined as the digital technology used by businesses
first supporting timely completion of daily business functions and activities. In the
past few years digital technology has rapidly become more sophisticated as well as
easily accessible to common public along with small businesses. This popularised
the usage of digital technology as an essential means of achieving business growth
and remaining competitive in the current environment.
Some of the main technologies which are commonly found in digital
infrastructure of organisations includes Internet broadband mobile
telecommunication digital communication and application data centres and networks
enterprise platform systems and software cloud services and software digital
protection and security system data encryption along with API and integrations. In
addition to this artificial intelligence virtual reality augmented reality and big data
analytics is recently developed advanced digital technology which is also being
utilised by small and large corporations.
The primary advantage of using digital infrastructure is that that reduces
dependency of labour. Digital technology such as artificial intelligence virtual reality
data encryption and data centres reduce the dependence of the company on
employees for various tasks such as recording and transferring data along with
decision-making. Important activities of the company such as financial decision
making can be completed by using digital technology (Turulja and Bajgoric, 2018).
In addition, future forecasts can also be made by usage digital technology
which further reduces dependence on employees. Digital technology not only me
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replaces repetitive labour activities but also supports in precise actions of the
company such as determining current market situation by analysing market data.
The it is you provided by digital technology is not compatible to the knowledge of an
employee which showcases the advantage of digital technology.
Another advantage provided by digital technology is that it helps reduce
overall costs of the company. The operational costs of the company and really
expenditure related to hiring employees and energy consumption is reduced by the
usage of digital technology as digital technology replaces labour intensive and
repetitive tasks effectively. Small businesses are able to utilise digital technology for
conducting non core activities and repetitive tasks at a lower costs and focus on
building competitive advantage in their industry with the help of digital technology.
This advantage is the main reason that the usage of digital technology is popular
among small businesses equally as compared to large corporations.
The main disadvantage associated with digital infrastructure is that over
reliance on digital technology for conducting non-core business activities needs to
increase in cyber security risk of the company. Digital technology can be hacked and
manipulated by cybercriminals to harm the company and accomplish fraud. This
aspect of digital technology is the primary disadvantage because there is no
universal solution which helps organisation gain protection from cyber criminals and
hackers. This mean scratch small and large organisation are at constant risk of
exposing digital vulnerabilities of the company to cyber criminals.
Another disadvantage of using digital technology is that it requires constant
radiation to new versions in order to utilise the best and most protected digital
technology. This aspect of digital technology can increase maintenance cost of the
company and also act as a reason for reducing competitive advantage of small
businesses as they are not capable of upgrading their digital infrastructure
constantly.
Task 5: Risks associated with information systems
outsourcing and why is IT infrastructure so critical to
digital transformation!
Risks associated with information systems outsourcing
The process of outsourcing information system involves taking the help of a
third party to manage information technology infrastructure of the company. It is it
common practise in the current business environment because outsourcing
information system can be easily completed by transferring it to a third world country.
The Main risk associated with outsourcing information technology management to
third parties is that it reduces control of the company over the information technology
infrastructure of the organisation. This and expose the word liberties of the company
and information technology system to outside parties which can be manipulated and
utilised for cyber-attacks. This is a significant problem for small businesses cause
leakage of sensitive data of the company by the information technology management
third party can lead to failure of the company and increase distrust among
employees about the company.
Why is IT infrastructure so critical to digital transformation!
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There Information technology supports free flow of information and enhances
communication in a workplace which is one of the primary reasons for its central role
in ensuring digital transformation of an organisation. Employees and not only able to
send and receive messages effectively by using an effective information technology
infrastructure but also store analyse and interpret data easily and communicate
complicated information to other departments in a simplified manner. This improves
digital knowledge of the whole company and please an important role in changing
digital infrastructure of the company for future growth.
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Conclusion
From remove report it is concluded that information technology and
information technology systems but essential for growth of the company in the
current business environment. The designing methods for development of MS Office
and Mcafee are fluent design system and Agile or Continuous Integration/
Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) method. Different information technology systems
improve business processes in different ways and support digital transformation of
the company. IT has affected globalization significantly. Digital infrastructure has
advantages and disadvantages but is also essential for gaining success in the
current age.
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References
Books and Journals
Gardner and et. al., 2019. Physician stress and burnout: the impact of health
information technology. Journal of the American Medical Informatics
Association, 26(2). pp.106-114.
Jimenez-Jimenez and et. al., 2019. The mediating role of supply chain collaboration
on the relationship between information technology and innovation. Journal of
Knowledge Management.
Khatwani, G. and Srivastava, P. R., 2018. Impact of information technology on
information search channel selection for consumers. Journal of Organizational and
End User Computing (JOEUC), 30(3). pp.63-80.
Lloyd, I., 2020. Information technology law. Oxford University Press.
Voogt and et. al., 2018. Second handbook of information technology in primary and
secondary education. Springer International Publishing.
Xiang, Z., Fesenmaier, D. R. and Werthner, H., 2021. Knowledge creation in
information technology and tourism: A critical reflection and an outlook for the
future. Journal of Travel Research, 60(6). pp.1371-1376.
Benckendorff, P. J., Xiang, Z. and Sheldon, P. J., 2019. Tourism information
technology. Cabi.
Turulja, L. and Bajgoric, N., 2018. Information technology, knowledge management
and human resource management: Investigating mutual interactions towards better
organizational performance. VINE Journal of Information and Knowledge
Management Systems.
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