Holmes Institute HC1041 Information Technology Discussion Answers

This document contains answers to discussion questions from the HC1041 Information Technology for Business course at Holmes Institute, focusing on topics covered in lectures 6-11. The answers address key concepts such as the definition of a 'first mover', strategies for sustaining the benefits of Information Systems (IS), and the meaning of 'bleeding edge' technology. Activity 2 explores Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems, essential PC features, the definition and purpose of supply chain management, and the purpose of Supply Chain Management systems. The document also covers network protocols, the fastest data communication mediums, and data cleansing in data warehouses. Furthermore, it delves into the advantages and disadvantages of object-oriented databases, the nature of phishing attacks, and the relationship between domain names and IP addresses. Finally, the document explores how expert systems distribute expertise, examines if every website is a form of global IS, and explains the concept of Business Intelligence (BI) and its role in supporting business decision-making processes.

RUNNING HEAD:DISCUSSION 1
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Name
Institutional Affiliation
Date

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 2
Assignment Questions
1. What does the term “first mover” mean?
first mover can be defined as is a company which aims to gain an upper hand in the market
by being the first company to launch its operations in a specific market.
2. What should an organization do to sustain the strategic benefits of IS?
IS gain its significance by processing information from company to generate data which is
beneficial in managing firm’s operations . To increase the IS's effectiveness, one should add
more data-points in order to make the data more consistent.
3. What does the term “bleeding edge” mean?
Bleeding edge is the technology which has been released however is still not readily available
for public due to reliably tested
Activity 2
1. What is the purpose of customer relationship management systems?
This is technology for managing all the company's interactions and relationships with clients
and potential clients. The CRM improves business relationships.
2. What are the most important features to consider before purchasing a PC?
Most importantly,apart from realistic budget. The buyer should check the Hard Drive Processor.
Computer Software. ,RAM (Computer Memory). Anti-Virus Software and Graphics.

IT ON BUSINESS 3
3. What is a supply chain?
Supply chain management can be defined as the flow of goods, information and series from
supplier to the consumer.
4. What is the purpose of Supply Chain Management systems?
The main purpose of (SCM) is to synchronize the undertakings of the system. SCM is usually
formed to manage a business's demand/supply network consists of various activities.
Covers lecture 6 and 7
1. What is a network protocol?
A network protocol is the conventions and rules for communication between system. Network
protocols comprise of mechanisms for devices to identify and create links with each other, and
formatting rules which stipulate how information is packed into sent/received messages
2. Which medium enables the fastest data communications?
Internet is considered as the fastest means of communication which is capable of transmitting a
large amount of information within the shortest time possible.
3. What does it mean to cleanse the data before it is stored in a data warehouse?
Data cleansing can be defined as the process of identifying and modifying (or removing)
inaccurate or inaccurate information from a archives set, databank and refers to recognizing
half-finished, incorrect, imprecise or inappropriate parts of the information and then switching,
adapting, or erasing the coarse or dirty data.

IT ON BUSINESS 4
Covers: lecture 8 and 9
1. Why are the advantages and disadvantages of object-oriented databases?
Extensibility is considered as one advantage of ODBs since it allow new
information types to be created from current types. The capability to identify common
properties of numerous classes and build a superclass which is shared with sub-
classes can majorly decrease redundancy in system.
ODB has many disadvantages which includes.
. The ODB has no standard query language.
i. There is no generally identified single information model for object-oriented databases .
Relational information model design is grounded on vivid events. However, object database has
to create different objects, resulting low efficiency when the data and relationships are simple.
2. What is phishing? How do people get “phished”? Phishing can be defined as a social
engineering attack used by malicious people to steal user information, including credit card
information and login credentials .The phishing takes place when an attacker presents
himself/herself as a reliable entity to tricks a victim into opening the malicious message sent to
them.
3. What is the relationship between a domain name and an IP address?
Domain names are usually used to locate the IP addresses.

IT ON BUSINESS 5
Covers: lecture 10 and 11
1. Explain how expert systems distribute expertise?
It assist in distributing the expertise of human. One expert system may hold knowledge from one
or more human experts therefore making solutions more effectual. It cuts the consultation cost
from different domains.
2. Is every website a form of global IS? Why or why not?
Global information system can be defined as a system which serves .Since majority of sites can
be retrieved and used by various IS.
3. What is business intelligence
Business Intelligence (BI) is the application,practices and technologies, for the gathering,
integration, examination, and management of business information. BI support decision making
process in the business.