You may soon hear more about Honam Petrochemical Corporation. Headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, this company manufactures and sells petrochemical products, such as synthetic resins, synthetic industrial materials, such as ethylene glycol and ethylene oxide for making polyester, automobile antifreeze solutions, benzene, propylene, and ethylene. Honam has about 2,200 employees and its 2010 revenues exceeded U.S. $6.75 million. Honam’s primary market is South Korea, but the company has set its sights on becoming a top-tier chemical company throughout Asia and achieving sales of U.S $10 billion. Honam plans to do this by strengthening its existing businesses, extending its overseas business and developing new businesses. To manage far-flung operations in China, Hong Kong, Moscow, and New York City Honam needs reliable reports that are able to accurately measure management performance and provide useful, accurate information for increasing sales and reducing costs. Honam’s existing systems provided managers with reports to guide their business decisions, but in many cases the data in the reports were outdated and “sanitized.” Individual managers were processing and manipulating the data to make their departments “look better” to senior management. The report data were also somewhat outdated and presented periodically. Honam’s top management wanted “anytime access” to current daily data to obtain an accurate and unbiased view of what was occurring in the sales office or on the plant floor. It did not wanted to be overloaded with unnecessary data so it could focus on the “watch-up indicators” it considered crucial to the business. Executive decision-makers did not want to work with last quarter’s numbers. They wanted up-to-theminute reports that they could view quickly on their desktops. They also wanted access via the Web or their mobile devices. Finally, Honam executives wanted enterprise-wide data that could be accessed and shared easily across various business units and functions to support the company’s expansion geographically and by product line. These three requirements drove the technology selection process. Honam’s information systems team reviewed a number of different software products and vendors and selected SAP BusinessObjects Dashboards and SAP BusinessObjects Web Intelligence. The company already had seven years’ experience running SAP’s ERP system, so this vendor seemed like an appropriate choice. SAP BusinessObjects Dashboards is a drag-anddrop visualization tool designed to create interactive analytics for powerful, personalized dashboards based on SAP’s BusinessObjects business intelligence platform. BusinessObjects software tools can be used for performance management, planning, reporting, query and analysis, and enterprise information management, and provide self-service access to data from databases and Excel spreadsheets. SAP BusinessObjects Web Intelligence is an ad hoc query, reporting, and analysis tool that is used to create queries or use existing reports, format retrieved information, and perform analysis to understand trends and root causes……. 1. List and describe the information requirements of Honam’s new management system. What problems was the new system designed to solve? 2. To what extent were “people” problems affecting management decision making at Honam? What were some of the people, organization, and technology issues that had to be addressed by the new system? How did the system’s designers make the system more “people-friendly?” 3. What role did end users play in developing Honam’s new system? How did the project team make sure users were involved? What would have happened to the project if they had not done this? 4. What were the benefits of the new system? How did it change the way Honam ran its business? How successful was this system solution?
> The publishing industry is grappling with disruptive technologies that may transform its business models and the way we buy and read books. What is the impact of the Internet and e-book technology on book and newspaper publishing? Who will win and who wi
> What is the business value of security and control? 1. Explain how security and control provide value for businesses. 2. Describe the relationship between security and control and recent U.S. government regulatory requirements and computer forensics.
> A survey of your firm's IT infastructure has identified a number of security vulnerabilities. Review the data on these vulnerabilities, which can be found in a table in MyMISLab. Use the table to answer the following questions: • Calculate the total numb
> If you were developing a business continuity plan for your company, where would you start? What aspects of the business would the plan address?
> Have you ever purchased antivirus software for your iPhone, Android, or cell phone? Probably not. Many users believe that their iPhones and Androids are unlikely to be hacked into because they think Apple and Google are protecting them from malware apps,
> In July 2010, reports surfaced about a Stuxnet worm that had been targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities. In November of that year, Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad publicly acknowledged that malicious software had infected the Iranian nuclear facilitie
> Cloud computing has just begun to take off in the business world. The biggest player in the cloud computing marketplace is one you might not expect: Amazon. Under its Web Services (AWS) division, the company has streamlined cloud computing and made it an
> What are the main telecommunications transmission media and types of networks? 1. Name the different types of physical transmission media and compare them in terms of speed and cost. 2. Define a LAN, and describe its components and the functions of each
> Security isn’t simply a technology issue, it’s a business issue. Discuss.
> BestMed Medical Supplies Corporation sells medical and surgical products and equipment from over 700 different manufacturers to hospitals, health clinics, and medical offices. The company employs 500 people at seven different locations in western and mid
> Should all major retailing and manufacturing companies switch to RFID? Why or why not?
> When you were at work, how minutes (or hours) did you spend on Facebook today? Did you send personal e-mail or visit some sports Web sites? If so, you’re not alone. According to a Nucleus Research study, 77 percent of workers with Facebook accounts use t
> When you were at work, how minutes (or hours) did you spend on Facebook today? Did you send personal e-mail or visit some sports Web sites? If so, you’re not alone. According to a Nucleus Research study, 77 percent of workers with Facebook accounts use t
> What kind of Internet user are you? Do you primarily use the Net to do a little e-mail and look up phone numbers? Or are you online all day, watching YouTube videos, downloading music files, or playing online games? If you have a smartphone, do you use i
> What are the principles of a database management system? 1. Define a database management system (DBMS) and describe how it works and explain how it benefits organizations. 2. Define and compare the logical and a physical view of data. 3. Define and descr
> Your industrial supply company wants to create a data warehouse where management can obtain a single corporate-wide view of critical sales information to identify bestselling products, key customers, and sales trends. Your sales and product information a
> To what extent should end users be involved in the selection of a database management system and database design?
> Michele Witte was one of dozens of parents who lost their children because of the defective design of drop-side cribs. In 1997, Witte’s 10-month-old son Tyler perished when the drop-side rail on his crib came loose, partially detached, and then trapped h
> What’s the best way to find out what your customers want? If you’re a large business with millions of customers, it’s impossible to ask each one face-to-face. But thanks to modern data management and data mining technology, you can “ask” each one by mini
> On April 19, 2011, system administrators at Sony's online gaming service PlayStation Network (PSN), with over 77 million users, began to notice suspicious activity on some of its 130 servers spread across the globe and 50 software programs. The PlayStati
> Look around. On the street, at restaurants, sports events, and stores, you’ll find many people using their smartphones. By 2013, 1.3 billion people will be able to use their mobile phone to do work on the go, and by 2015, 4.4 billion people, which is mor
> What are the major computer hardware, data storage, input, and output technologies used in business? 1. List and describe the various types of computers available to businesses today. 2. Define the client/server model of computing and describe the differ
> Qantas Airways, Australia’s leading airline, faces cost pressures from high fuel prices and lower levels of global airline traffic. To remain competitive, the airline must find ways to keep costs low while providing a high level of customer service. Qant
> Should organizations use software service providers (including cloud services) for all their software needs? Why or why not? What people, organization, and technology factors should be considered when making this decision?
> What kind of Internet user are you? Do you primarily use the Net to do a little e-mail and look up phone numbers? Or are you online all day, watching YouTube videos, downloading music files, or playing online games? If you have a smartphone, do you use i
> Look around. On the street, at restaurants, sports events, and stores, you’ll find many people using their smartphones. By 2013, 1.3 billion people will be able to use their mobile phone to do work on the go, and by 2015, 4.4 billion people, which is mor
> Computer rooms are becoming too hot to handle. Datahungry tasks such as watching videos on demand, downloading music, exchanging photos, and maintaining Web sites require more and more power-hungry machines. Power and cooling costs for data centers have
> How do the value chain and value web models help businesses identify opportunities for strategic information system applications? 1. Define and describe the value chain model. 2. Explain how the value chain model can be used to identify opportunities fo
> Despite aggressive campaigns to attract customers with lower mobile phone prices, Sprint Nextel has been losing large numbers of monthly contract subscribers. Management wants to know why so many customers are leaving Sprint and what can be done to entic
> What are some of the issues to consider in determining whether the Internet would provide your business with a competitive advantage?
> Have you ever purchased antivirus software for your iPhone, Android, or cell phone? Probably not. Many users believe that their iPhones and Androids are unlikely to be hacked into because they think Apple and Google are protecting them from malware apps,
> When we hear "snowboarding," we tend to think of snow-covered slopes, acrobatic jumps, and high-flying entertainment. We don’t usually think of improving business process efficiency. But snowboarding is business for Burton Snowboards, an industry pioneer
> Starbucks is the world’s largest specialty coffee retailer, with more than 16,850 coffee shops in about 40 countries. For years, Starbucks has continued to grow throughout the United States and internationally, opening franchises at an impressive rate. F
> Computer rooms are becoming too hot to handle. Data hungry tasks such as watching videos on demand, downloading music, exchanging photos, and maintaining Web sites require more and more power-hungry machines. Power and cooling costs for data centers have
> What ethical, social, and political issues are raised by information systems? 1. Explain how ethical, social, and political issues are connected and give some examples. 2. List and describe the key technological trends that heighten ethical concerns. 3.
> USAData’s Web site is linked to massive databases that consolidate personal data on millions of people. Anyone with a credit card can purchase marketing lists of consumers broken down by location, age, income level, and interests. If you click on Consume
> How does a relational database organize data and how does it differ from an object-oriented database? 1. Define and explain the significance of entities, attributes, and key fields. 2. Define a relational database and explain how it organizes and stores
> Should producers of software-based services, such as ATMs, be held liable for economic injuries suffered when their systems fail?
> When new expensive medical therapies come along, promising to cure people of illness, one would think that the manufacturers, doctors, and technicians, along with the hospitals and state oversight agencies, would take extreme caution in their application
> Do you think that the more information managers receive, the better their decisions? Well, think again. Most of us can no longer imagine the world without the Internet and without our favorite gadgets, whether they’re iPads, smartphones, laptops, or cell
> Do you like your smartphone? Living on the grid has its advantages. You can access the Internet, visit your Facebook page, get Twitter feeds, watch video, and listen to music all with the same “communication and media device.” Less well known is that liv
> In July 2010, reports surfaced about a Stuxnet worm that had been targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities. In November of that year, Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad publicly acknowledged that malicious software had infected the Iranian nuclear facilitie
> What are the core problem-solving steps for developing new information systems? 1. List and describe the problem-solving steps for building a new system. 2. Define information requirements and explain why they are important for developing a system solut
> The Warm and Toasty Heating Oil Company used to deliver heating oil by sending trucks that printed out a ticket with the number of gallons of oil delivered and that was placed on customers’ doorsteps. Customers received their oil delivery bills in the ma
> Discuss the role of business end users and information system professionals in developing a system solution. How do both roles differ when the solution is developed using prototyping or end-user development?
> In recent years, the airline industry has seen several low-cost, high-efficiency carriers rise to prominence using a recipe of extremely competitive fares and outstanding customer service. Two examples of this business model in action are JetBlue and Wes
> How does Porter’s competitive forces model help companies develop competitive strategies using information systems? 1. Define Porter’s competitive forces model and explain how it works. 2. List and describe four competitive strategies enabled by informat
> Companies like DST Systems have recognized the value in Scrum development to their bottom lines, but making the transition from traditional developmental methods to Scrum development can be challenging. DST Systems is a software development company whose
> Emerson Process Management, a global supplier of measurement, analytical, and monitoring instruments and services based in Austin, Texas, had a new data warehouse designed for analyzing customer activity to improve service and marketing. However, the dat
> What are the different types of decisions, and how does the decision-making process work? 1. List and describe the different decision-making levels and decision-making groups in organizations and their decision-making requirements. 2. Distinguish betwee
> U.S. Pharma Corporation is headquartered in New Jersey but has research sites in Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and Australia. Research and development of new pharmaceuticals is key to ongoing profits, and U.S. Pharma researches and te
> What are the principal components of telecommunications networks and key networking technologies? 1. Describe the features of a simple network and the network infrastructure for a large company. 2. Name and describe the principal technologies and trends
> If businesses used DSS, GDSS, and ESS more widely, would they make better decisions? Why or why not?
> The world’s fastest growing gaming company doesn’t boast top-of-the-line graphics, heart-pounding action, or masterful storytelling. It doesn’t make games for the PlayStation, Xbox, or Wii. The company in question is Zynga, and if you have a Facebook acc
> In February 2011, an IBM computer named Watson took on the two most-decorated champions of the game show Jeopardy, Ken Jennings and Brad Rutter. Watson, which was named after IBM’s founder, Thomas J. Watson, won handily. Watson’s achievement represents a
> Colgate-Palmolive Company is the second largest consumer products company in the world, and its products are marketed in over 200 countries and territories. The company had 39,000 employees worldwide and $16 billion in annual revenue in 2010. Colgate has
> What are the unique features of e-commerce, digital markets, and digital goods? 1. Name and describe four business trends and three technology trends shaping e-commerce today. 2. List and describe the eight unique features of e-commerce. 3. Define a dig
> Columbiana: A small, independent Caribbean island that wants to develop its tourist industry and attract more visitors. How can a Web presence help? What Internet business model would be appropriate? What functions should the Web site perform?
> Macy’s, Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates approximately 800 department stores in the United States. Its retail stores sell a range of merchandise, including apparel, home furnishings, and housewares. Senior management has decided that Macy’s needs
> It has been said that you do not need database management software to create a database environment. Discuss.
> How does the Internet change consumer and supplier relationships?
> Founded by Tim and Nina Zagat, the Zagat Survey has collected and published ratings of restaurants by diners since 1979. Zagat publishes surveys for restaurants, hotels, and nightlife in 70 major cities. Today, as more people use their smartphones for in
> Your company supplies ceramic floor tiles to Home Depot, Lowe’s, and other home improvement stores. You have been asked to start using radio frequency identification tags on each case of tiles you ship to help your customers improve the management of you
> To most people, Facebook and Twitter are ways to keep in touch with friends and to let them know what they are doing. For companies of all shapes and sizes, however, Facebook and Twitter have become powerful tools for engaging customers. Location based b
> Who’s the leader in retail e-commerce? Of course, it’s Amazon.com. Since the early 1990s, Amazon has grown from a small online bookseller to one of the largest retailing companies in the world, and easily the largest e-commerce retailer. Its constantly g
> How do enterprise systems help businesses achieve operational excellence? 1. Define an enterprise system and explain how enterprise software works. 2. Describe how enterprise systems provide value for a business.
> 55 car dealers provided customer data on an ad hoc basis. There is no real incentive for dealers to share information with the company. How could customer relationship management (CRM) and partner relationship management (PRM) systems help solve this pro
> Supply chain management is less about managing the physical movement of goods and more about managing information. Discuss the implications of this statement.
> Summit Electric Supply is one of the top wholesale distributors of industrial electrical equipment and supplies in the United States, with 500 employees and nearly $302 million in 2010 sales. Summit operates in four states and has a global export divisio
> Salesforce.com is the most successful enterprise-scale software as a service (SaaS) and the undisputed global leader in cloud-based customer relationship management systems. Users can access Salesforce applications anywhere through an Internetenabled mob
> “Weather at our destination is 50 degrees with some broken clouds, but they’ll try to have them fixed before we arrive. Thank you, and remember, nobody loves you or your money more than Southwest Airlines.” Crew humor at 30,000 feet? Must be Southwest Ai
> What issues must be addressed when building an e-commerce presence? 1. List and describe each of the factors that go into the building of an e-commerce Web site. 2. List and describe four business objectives, four system functionalities, and four informa
> It has been said that there is no such thing as a sustainable competitive advantage. Do you agree? Why or why not?
> It has been said that within the next few years, smartphones will become the single most important digital device we own. Discuss the implications of this statement.
> How should information systems projects be managed? 1. Explain the importance of implementation for managing the organizational change surrounding a new information system. 2. Define the user-designer communication gap and explain the kinds of implementa
> What types of systems are used for enterprise-wide knowledge management, and how do they provide value for businesses? 1. Define knowledge management and explain its value to businesses. 2. Define and describe the various types of enterprise-wide knowl
> What is the role of m-commerce in business, and what are the most important m-commerce applications? 1. List and describe important types of m-commerce services and applications. 2. Describe some of the barriers to m-commerce.
> How are enterprise applications taking advantage of new technologies? 1. How are enterprise applications taking advantage of SOA, Web services, open source software, and wireless technology? 2. Define social CRM and explain how customer relationship man
> Thanks to the explosion of social media and mobile computing, the amount of data consumers are generating is much larger than ever before. What’s more, most of the data are unstructured—generated from a variety of different events such as Facebook status
> Why are RFID and wireless sensor networks (WSNs) valuable for business? 1. Define RFID, explain how it works and how it provides value to businesses. 2. Define WSNs, explain how they work and describe the kinds of applications that use them.
> Why is data quality assurance so important for a business? 1. List and describe the most common data quality problems. 2. List and describe the most important tools and techniques for assuring data quality.
> What are the principal issues in managing hardware and software technology? 1. Explain why managers need to pay attention to capacity planning and scalability of technology resources. 2. Describe the cost components used to calculate the total cost of ow
> How do competing on a global scale and promoting quality enhance competitive advantages? 1. Describe how globalization has increased opportunities for businesses. 2. List and describe the four main ways of organizing a business internationally and the ty
> How have information systems affected everyday life? 1. Explain why it is so difficult to hold software services liable for failure or injury. 2. List and describe the principal causes of system quality problems? 3. Name and describe four quality of lif
> How should information systems projects be selected and evaluated? 1. Explain the difference between tangible and intangible benefits? 2. List six tangible benefits and six intangible benefits. 3. List and describe the major components of an information
> What are the business benefits of using intelligent techniques in decision making and knowledge management? 1. Define an expert system, describe how it works, and explain its value to business. 2. Define case-based reasoning and explain how it differs f
> How has e-commerce affected business-to-business transactions? 1. Explain how Internet technology supports business-to-business electronic commerce. 2. Define and describe Net marketplaces and explain how they differ from private industrial networks (pri
> What are the challenges posed by enterprise applications? 1. List and describe the challenges posed by enterprise applications. 2. Explain how these challenges can be addressed.
> What are the most important tools and technologies for safeguarding information resources? 1. Name and describe three authentication methods. 2. Describe the roles of firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and antivirus software in promoting security. 3
> Michele Witte was one of dozens of parents who lost their children because of the defective design of drop-side cribs. In 1997, Witte’s 10-month-old son Tyler perished when the drop-side rail on his crib came loose, partially detached, and then trapped h
> What are the principal technologies and standards for wireless networking, communications, and Internet access? 1. Define Bluetooth, wi-fi, WiMax, 3G, and 4G networks. 2. Describe the capabilities of each and for which types of applications each is best
> What is the role of information policy and data administration in the management of organizational data resources? Define information policy and data administration and explain how they help organizations manage their data.
> What are the most important contemporary hardware and software trends? 1. Define and describe the mobile digital platform, nanotechnology, grid computing, cloud computing, autonomic computing, virtualization, green computing, HTML5, and multicore process
> It has been said that the advantage that leading-edge retailers such as Walmart have over competitors isn’t technology; it’s their management. Do you agree? Why or why not?
> Why do contemporary information systems technology and the Internet pose challenges to the protection of individual privacy and intellectual property? 1. Define privacy and fair information practices. 2. Explain how the Internet challenges the protectio
> Discuss the pros and cons of allowing companies to amass personal data for behavioral targeting.
> What are the principal methodologies for modeling and designing systems? Compare object-oriented and traditional structured approaches for modeling and designing systems.
> Why is building a system a form of organizational problem-solving?
> How do information systems help people working in a group make decisions more efficiently? Define a group decision-support system (GDSS) and explain how it works and how it supports organizational decision making.
> How much can business intelligence and business analytics help companies refine their business strategy? Explain your answer.
