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MIST MIDTERM
terms for test
66
Computer Science
Undergraduate 1
10/08/2008

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Cards

Term
Information System
Definition
organized collection of people, information, business processes, and information technology, designed to transform inputs into outputs, in order to achieve a goal.
Term
Data
Definition
raw unorganized facts
Term
Information
Definition
organized data
Term
Knowledge
Definition
information plus human experience and judgement
Term
System
Definition
a recognizable whole that consists of a collection of interrelated parts that interact with each other to transform inputs into outputs in order to achieve a goal
Term
Information Technology
Definition
the physical components, typically hardware, software, and connectivity, that make up an IS. Technology enables the processes to perform the steps they were designed to accomplish.
Term
Business Value
Definition
a positive return on the investment of resources that is created through the effective and efficient integration of an organization’s people, information, information technology, and business processes.
Term
TPS (Transaction Processing Software)
Definition
captures and processes transactions to make them available to the organization
Term
MIS (Management Information Systems)
Definition
through process and reporting features, a MIS provides timely information to information to decision makers
Term
DSS (decision support system)
Definition
provides analytical and visualization tools to support and enhance decision making and planning
Term
ERP (enterprise resource planning)
Definition
integrates and standardizes processes, and centralizes and standardizes the storage and management of data
Term
CRM (Customer Relationship Management)
Definition
integrates data collection, transformation, storage, and analysis of customer transaction data, including purchases, service requests, and other forms of customer contact.
Term
Hardware
Definition
the electronic and mechanical components you can see and touch, such as a computer monitor.
Term
Software
Definition
a set of instructions that directs the hardware
Term
Network
Definition
increases the power of IT devices by allowing knowledge workers to share resources including hardware, software, and information
Term
Processing
Definition
directs execution of instructions and transformation of data
Term
Memory
Definition
temporarily stores data and instructions before processing
Term
Storage
Definition
stores data, information, and instructions for the long term
Term
Communications
Definition
connects one IT device to another
Term
Transistor
Definition
electronic switch that can either be on (1) or off (0)
Term
Microprocessor
Definition
tiny chip made of transistors, at the core of all computing operations
Term
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
Definition
works together with memory to control the execution of all instructions and the processing of all the data. Speed is measured in gigahertz (GHz), used to be measured in megahertz (MHz) which is slower
Term
Read Only Memory (ROM)
Definition
contains instructions and data that only special devices can alter. Holds the instructions for the start-up up processes (booting up).
Term
Random Access Memory (RAM)
Definition
stores data until they are no longer needed, or until you shut down your computer. Largest number of memory chips in your computer.
Term
Controller
Definition
a device that controls the transfer of data between a computer and a peripheral device, such as a printer of disk drive.
Term
Network Interface Card (NIC)
Definition
provides the physical connection between a computer and a local network.
Term
Modem
Definition
allows you to connect to a remote network over a telecommunications line.
Term
Firmware
Definition
set of technology instructions frequently built into the hardware.
Term
Operating System (OS)
Definition
coordinates and handles the details of working with the computer hardware. Manages the hardware and software resources of the computer. Also, provides a stable and consistent interface between application programs and the hardware.
Term
Utility Software
Definition
provides additional tools that you can use to maintain and service your system.
Term
Local Area Network (LAN)
Definition
pertains to a small geographic area
Term
Wide Area Network (WAN)
Definition
connects computers that cover entire regions, even overseas
Term
File Server
Definition
a fast computer that requires large amounts or RAM and storage space. Stores and runs the network operating system software, it may also store shared software applications and data files.
Term
Protocol
Definition
standard set of rules that allow the communication of data between nodes on a network.
Term
Internet Service Provider (ISP)
Definition
provide connections for customers to connect to the internet through the ISP via dial up or cable.
Term
Hypertext
Definition
allows for an easy way to publish information on a network, can also include references (hyperlinks).
Term
Web Browser
Definition
you can use hypertext documents and use the hyperlinks to browse (or surf) other related documents.
Term
Uniform Resource Locater (URL)
Definition
specifies a unique address for each page that indicates the location of a document.
Term
Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP)
Definition
provides the rules used by browsers and servers as they communicate requests for data and responses to each other.
Term
Hypertext Markup Language (HTML)
Definition
provides a language for encoding the information so a variety of IT devices can display it.
Term
Discovery
Definition
the finding of data, information, and knowledge relevant to a task
Term
Transformation
Definition
a knowledge work activity that requires you to organize the results from a discovery activity.
Term
Analysis
Definition
the knowledge work activity that will help you answer questions and gain understanding through an investigation and examination of the available data, information, and knowledge.
Term
Synthesis
Definition
given your analysis of our company’s relative success or failure, suggest ways to capitalize on our strengths and overcome our weaknesses.
Term
Communication
Definition
present your findings to your management
Term
Structured Decision
Definition
one that can be programmed; it is routine or repetitive.
Term
Semistructured Decision
Definition
a decision that is not fully structured but can still be attained with the use of information, reasoning, and partly objective thinking to some extent
Term
Unstructured Decision
Definition
a decision characterized by uncertain data or information and for which there may be no known method for arriving at a solution.
Term
CARROTS
Definition
complete,accurate,reliable,relevant,objective,timely, source
Term
IADD
Definition
investigate, analyze, decide, do
Term
IADD
Definition
investigate, analyze, decide, do
Term
Open Systems Model
Definition
indicates that a business operates by transforming inputs into outputs and by constantly interacting with its environment.
Term
Stakeholder
Definition
a person or entity that has an interest or influence on how a business will function in order to succeed. Can be internal or external
Term
Organizational Boundary
Definition
the separation between the system of interest and its environment. Business systems must keep an open boundary to their environment to allow for receiving inputs and producing outputs.
Term
Business Process
Definition
a series of steps that an organization needs to perform in order to transforms inputs into their main outputs (products and services). Ex. Manufacturing products or performing services.
Term
Feedback
Definition
a special kind of output created by a business process that is then returned to the system in order to control the system’s future inputs, processes, and outputs.
Term
Functional Structures
Definition
a business organized according to functional areas instead of product lines. Functionally organized businesses can be economically efficient, but can lack flexibility and it may be difficult to communicate between functional areas.
Term
Decentralized Structures
Definition
decision making authority is pushed down the organization structure and shared with many lower-level employees. Decentralized organizations have fewer levels of management with wide spans of control giving employees more freedom of action. Can be more efficient that centralized structures because they require fewer managers.
Term
Matrix Structures
Definition
blends functional and decentralized structures. From top to bottom the matrix is organized as a functional structure. However, from left to right, the matrix follows a product-focused (or project- or customer focused) structure. A matrix organization frequently uses teams of employees to accomplish work.
Term
Value Chain
Definition
a connected series of activities, each of which adds value or supports the addition of value to the firm’s goods or services.
Term
Supply Chain Management
Definition
a set of methods a business employs to manage the materials, information, and finances as they move in a process from supplier to manufacturer to wholesaler to retailer to consumer. IS are essential for efficient management of the supply chain.
Term
Enterprise Wide Systems (ERP)
Definition
support and are used by the entire enterprise through a centralized database and coordinated software modules (applications or sets of applications).
Term
Informating
Definition
recognizing that executing processes (e.g., customers accessing their accounts to make withdrawals or deposits) also creates new data and information.
Term
Spyware
Definition
program that tracks what users are doing without their knowledge
Term
cookies
Definition
small text files which are placed on users’ hard drives by an e-commerce website in order to store useful data between visits to the site.
Term
Transforming
Definition
using IT to help a business acquire or continue a competitive advantage over their competitors by adjusting how the company does business.
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