Chapter 4 Computer

Software

James A. O'Brien, and George Marakas.

Management Information Systems with MISource
Types of Application & System
Software

Chapter 4 Computer Software 2

Application Software
 General Purpose
 Programs that perform common information processing
jobs for end users; e.g., word processing, spreadsheet
 Also call productivity packages
 Custom Software
 Software applications developed within an organization for
use by that organization
 Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS)
 Many copies sold
 Minimal changes beyond scheduled upgrades
 Purchasers have no control over specifications, schedule,
or evolution, and no access to source code or internal
documentation
 Product vendor retains the intellectual property rights of
the software
Chapter 4 Computer Software 3
Application Software
 Open-source Software
 Developers collaborate on the development of an
application using programming standards which allow
anyone to contribute to the software
 As each developer completes a project, the application
code becomes available and free to anyone who wants it

Chapter 4 Computer Software 4

Business Application Software
 Function-Specific Application Software
 Thousands of these packages support
specific applications of end users
 Examples: customer relationship
management, enterprise resource planning,
supply chain management, Web-enabled
electronic commerce

Chapter 4 Computer Software 5

Software Suites, Integrated
Packages
 Most widely used productivity packages are
bundled together as software suites
 Advantages
 Cost less than buying individual packages
 All have similar GUI
 Work well together
 Disadvantages
 All features not used
 Takes a lot of disk space (bloatware)

Chapter 4 Computer Software 6

Components of Top Software
Suites

Chapter 4 Computer Software 7

Integrated Packages
 Integrated packages combine the functions of
several programs into one package
 E.g., Microsoft Works, AppleWorks
 Advantages
 Many functions for lower price
 Uses less disk space
 Frequently pre-installed on microcomputers
 Disadvantages
 Limited functionality

Chapter 4 Computer Software 8

Web Browsers
 Software applications that support navigation
through the point-and-click hyper-linked
resources of the Web
 Becoming the universal platform from which end
users launch…
 Information searches
 E-mail
 Multimedia file transfer
 Discussion groups
 Other Internet-based applications

Chapter 4 Computer Software 9

Search Engines
 Browsers are used to gain access to Internet
search engines
 Google, Ask Jeeves, Look Smart, Lycos,
Overture, Yahoo!
 Using search engines to find information has
become an indispensable part of Internet,
intranet, and extranet applications

Chapter 4 Computer Software 10

E-mail, Instant Messaging, and
Weblogs
 E-mail
 Software to communicate by sending and
receiving messages and attachments via the
Internet, intranet, or extranet
 Instant messaging (IM)
 Receive electronic messages instantly
 Weblog or blog
 A personal website in dated log format
 Updated with new information about a subject
or range of subjects
Chapter 4 Computer Software 11
Word Processing/Desktop
Publishing
 Word Processing
 Create, edit, revise, and print documents
 Example: Microsoft Word, Lotus WordPro,
Corel WordPerfect
 Desktop Publishing
 Produce printed materials that look
professionally published
 Example: Adobe PageMaker, Microsoft
Publisher, QuarkXPress
Chapter 4 Computer Software 12
Electronic Spreadsheets
 Used by virtually every business for…
 Analysis, planning, modeling
 Electronic Spreadsheet
 Worksheet of rows and columns
 Can be stored on local computer or on
network
 Requires designing format and developing the
relationships (formulas)
 Most help you develop charts and graphic
displays of spreadsheet results
 Supports what-if questions
Chapter 4 Computer Software 13
Presentation Graphics
 Common presentation graphics packages…
 Converts numeric data into graphics displays
 Used to create multimedia presentations of
graphics, photos, animation, and video clips
 E.g., Microsoft PowerPoint, Lotus Freelance,
Corel Presentations
 Top packages can tailor files for transfer in
HTML format to websites

Chapter 4 Computer Software 14

Personal Information Managers
 Software for end user productivity and
collaboration
 Stores information about clients
 Manages schedules, appointments, tasks
 Most include ability to access the Web and
provide e-mail capabilities
 Some support team collaboration by sharing
information with other PIM users
 Example: Lotus Organizer, Microsoft Outlook

Chapter 4 Computer Software 15

Groupware
 Software that helps workgroups collaborate on
group assignments
 E-mail, discussion groups, databases, video
conferencing
 Example: Lotus Notes, Novell GroupWise,
Microsoft Exchange
 Windows SharePoint Services and
WebSphere both allow teams to create
websites for information sharing and
document collaboration

Chapter 4 Computer Software 16

Software Alternatives
 Outsourcing development and maintenance of
software
 Application service providers (ASPs)
 Companies that own, operate, and maintain
application software and computer system
resources
 Use the application for a fee over the Internet
 Pay-as-you-go
 Use expected to accelerate in the coming
years

Chapter 4 Computer Software 17

Software Licensing
 All COTS and ASP software is licensed
 Involves the underlying..
 Intellectual property rights
 Copyright
 Trademark
 Trade secrets
 Also involves traditional contract law, including
Uniform Commercial Code (UCC)
 You don’t buy software
 You buy a license to use the software
 Licensed to protect the vendor’s property rights

Chapter 4 Computer Software 18

Interface Between End Users and
Computer

Chapter 4 Computer Software 19

Operating Systems
 Integrated system of programs that…
 Manages the operations of the CPU
 Controls the input/output, storage resources,
and activities of the computer system
 Provides support services as the computer
executes application programs
 The operating system must be loaded and
activated before other tasks can be
accomplished

Chapter 4 Computer Software 20

Operating System Basic
Functions

Chapter 4 Computer Software 21

User Interface
 The part of the operating system that allows you
to communicate with it
 Three main types…
 Command-driven
 Menu-driven
 Graphical user interfaces (GUI)

Chapter 4 Computer Software 22

Resource Management
 Part of the operating system that manages the
hardware and networking resources of a
computer system
 Includes CPU, memory, secondary storage
devices, telecommunications, and
input/output peripherals
 Common functions
 Keeping track of where data and programs
are stored
 Subdividing memory; providing virtual
memory capability
Chapter 4 Computer Software 23
File Management
 Part of the operating system that controls the
creation, deletion, and access of files and
programs
 Keeps track of physical location on storage
devices
 Maintains directories of information about the
location and characteristics of stored files

Chapter 4 Computer Software 24

Task Management
 Part of the operating system that manages the
accomplishment of end user computing tasks
 Controls which task gets access to the CPU,
and for how long
 Can interrupt the CPU at any time to
substitute a higher priority task
 Supports preemptive and cooperative multi-
tasking and multi-processing

Chapter 4 Computer Software 25

Popular Operating Systems
 Windows
 GUI, multitasking, networking, multimedia
 Microsoft’s operating system
 NT, XP, 2003
 Different versions manage servers
 Unix
 Multitasking, multi-user, network-managing
 Portable - can run on mainframes, midrange,
and PCs
 Linux
 Low-cost, powerful reliable Unix-like
operating system
 Open-source
 MAC OS X
 Apple operating system for the iMac
 GUI
 Multitasking
 Multimedia
Chapter 4 Computer Software 26
Open-Source Licensing
Characteristics
 The Program
 Must include source code and allow distribution in
source code as well as compiled form
 The License
 Shall not restrict any party from selling or giving
away the software as a component of an
aggregate software distribution containing
programs from several sources
 Must allow modifications and derived works, and
must allow them to be distributed under the same
terms as the license of the original software
Chapter 4 Computer Software 27
Open-Source Licensing
Characteristics
 The License (cont’d)
 Must allow modifications and derived works and
allow them to be distributed under the same
terms as the license of the original software
 May restrict source code from being distributed in
modified form only if the license allows the
distribution of patch files with the source code
for the purpose of modifying the program at build
time
 Must not discriminate against any person or any
group of persons
Chapter 4 Computer Software 28
Other System Management
Programs

Chapter 4 Computer Software 29

Application Servers
 Provide an interface between an operating
system and the application programs of users
 Middleware
 Software that helps diverse software
applications exchange data and work together
more efficiently

Chapter 4 Computer Software 30

Programming Languages
 Examples of programming in each language

Chapter 4 Computer Software 31

Web Languages
 HTML
 A page description language that creates
hypertext documents for the Web
 XML
 Describes Web page content by applying
identifying tags or contextual labels to the data
 Java
 Object-oriented programming language that is
simple, secure, and platform independent
 Java applets can be executed on any computer

Chapter 4 Computer Software 32

J2EE versus .Net

Chapter 4 Computer Software 33

 Web Services How Web Services Work
 Web services are
software components
that are
 Based on framework
of Web and object-
oriented standards
and technology
 Used to link the
applications of
different users and
computing platforms
via the Web

Chapter 4 Computer Software 34

Foundation Concepts
Information Systems in Business
 Information System (IS)
• What is IS? Simply, Information System is an organized
system for collection, organization, storage and
communication of information.
• Specifically, IS is concerned with the study of
complementary networks that people and organization
use to collect, filter, process, create and distribute data
• ‘Why we need IS?’ This question has evolved into a
moot issue. As marketing, accounting, finance, human
resource management, operation management,
information system has become an integral part of
many business organizations.
• In today’s world of technology, many call it business
imperative.
 Information System
• Since, you probably intend to become entrepreneurs,
managers, investors, business professionals; it is just as
important to have a basic knowledge of information
system as it is to understand any other functional areas
in business.
• Thus, it is essential to study information system in
business administration and management programs
• Information systems help many businesses improve
the efficiency and effectiveness of their business
process, managerial decision making and workgroup
collaboration to strengthen the competitive position
in rapidly changing marketplace.
 Information System
• Improvised definition of IS: An organized system
of complementary networks of hardware and
software that people and organization use to
collect, filter, process, store, transform and
disseminate data and information to support
decision making, coordination and control,
analysis and visualization in an organization.
• eCourier – Booking and Tracking automation
 Information Systems
Any organized
combination of people,
hardware, software,
communication
networks, data
resources, and policies
and procedures that
stores, retrieves,
transforms and
disseminates
information in an
organization
 Fundamental Role of IS in Business
• Support business processes and operations
– Computer based IS help employees to record customer
purchases, track inventory & warehouse, pay employees,
evaluate sales trend and buy new merchandize.
– Store would come to a halt without such IS
• Support decision making by employees and managers
– Decision about what merchandize to be added or discontinued,
what kind of investments they require are typically made after
analysis provided by computer based IS
• Support strategies for competitive advantage
– Installing Self-check out kiosks
– Gaining strategic advantage over competitors requires
innovative application of information technologies.
Trends in Information Systems
 “Big Five” IT trends

Mobile

Cloud Social

Big
Data
 The role of e-Business in Business
• Internet, related technologies and business applications
have changed the way businesses operate, people work
and how IS support business processes, decision making
and competitive advantage
• Businesses create eBusiness applications
– Using Internet to Web-enable business processes
– Depending on Intranet, Extranet to implement and
manage innovative eBusiness applications
• eBusiness uses Internet technologies to empower
business processes, eCommerce, and enterprise
collaboration within a company and beyond the
company - with its customers, suppliers, stakeholders
 The role of e-Business in Business
• eBusiness is online exchange of value
• Any online exchange of information, money,
resources, services or any combination there of falls
under the eBusiness umbrella
• eBusiness application are used by companies to
– Reengineer internal business processes
– Implement eCommerce system with customers and
suppliers
– Promote enterprise collaboration among business
teams and workgroups
 The role of e-Business in Business
• Enterprise Collaboration uses software tools,
Enterprise Collaboration System, to support
communication, coordination and collaboration
among the members of networked teams and
workgroups
– Virtual team of employees and consultants uses
intranet, extranet and internet for e-mail,
videoconferencing, creating e-discussion groups
(blogs), communicating Work-in-Progress in Web
pages and for sharing documents to collaborate on
different projects.
 The role of e-Business in Business
• eCommerce is buying, selling, marketing and servicing of
products, services and information over a variety of
computer networks.
• eCommerce supports every step of commercial process
– Advertising, sales and customer support on the web
– Internet Security for safe transaction & payment
– Assurance of delivery completion from dispatcher/delivery
company
• eCommerce systems include
– Online sales through internet website
– Extranet access to customer’s inventory database
– Intranet for sales reps to access customer records for CRM
 Typical eBusiness Architecture
Internet
Suppliers & Other
Business Partners
Extranet Company
Boundary
Supply Chain Management:
Procurement, Distribution & Logistics

Intranet
Engineering Manufacturing Accounting
& Research & Production & Finance

Intranet

Customer Relationship Management:

Marketing, Sales, Customer Service

Extranet
Consumers & Business Customers
 Types of Information Systems
Information System

Operation Support System Management Support System

Support Business Operations Support Management Decision Making

Transaction Processing System Management Information System

Process Control System Decision Support System

Enterprise Collaboration System Executive Information System

Specialized Processing System Specialized Processing System

Knowledge Strategic Functional

Expert
Management Information Business
System
System System System
 System
• A set of interrelated components, with a clearly defined
boundary, working together to achieve a common set of
objectives by accepting inputs and producing outputs through
a transformation process in an organized manner
• 3 basic functions of a system
– Input involves capturing and assembling elements that enter
the system (to be processed).
– Processing involves transformation method (that convert input
elements to output).
– Output involves transferring elements that have been produced
by transformation process to ultimate destination.
• Feedback is data about the performance of a system.
• Control involves monitoring and evaluating feedback, and
making necessary adjustment to inputs & process
 Components of Information System
• Information Systems use people, hardware, software, data and network
resources to perform input, processing, output, storage and control
activities that transform data into information products.
 Information System Resources
1. People are the essential ingredient for the successful
operation of all information system. It includes end
users and IS specialist.
 END USERS are people who use an information system or
the information it produces. They can be customers , sales
person, clerks, engineers, accountants, managers who are
found at all levels.
 Knowledge workers who collaborate & communicate
 IS SPECIALIST are people who develop and operate
information system. It includes system analysts, software
developers, system operators, technical & clerical IS persons
 Information System Resources
2. Hardware Resources includes all physical devices and
material used in information processing. It includes not
only machines, such as computers but also all data
media, i.e. tangible objects on which data is recorded.
 COMPUTER SYSTEM : consist of central processing units
containing micro processors and a variety of
interconnected devices such as printers , scanners etc.
 COMPUTER PERIPHERALS: are devices such as keyboard,
electronic mouse for the input of data and commands , a
video screen or printers for the output of the
information, magnetic or optical drives for storage of
data resources
 Information System Resources
3. Software resources includes all sets of information
processing instructions.
It includes the sets of operating instructions called programs
which direct and control computer hardware and the set of
information processing instruction called procedure that
people need.
 Example:
• System software: OS which control and supports the
operation of computer system
• Application software: sales analysis, payroll, word processing
programs
• Procedures: Operating instructions for the people who use IS
 Information System Resources
4. Data resources are the input elements that are stored in
databases. This concept has been broadened by managers
and information system professionals. They realize the data
constitute valuable organizational resources.
 Data can take many forms: alphanumeric, text, images,
video, audio
 Data can take many forms including traditional numeric data
composed of numbers etc. The data resources of information
system are typically organized, stored, accessed by a variety
of data resource management technologies into:
 Data base that hold processed and organize data.
 Knowledge bases that hold knowledge in a variety of forms
such as facts, rules and cases of best business practices
 Information System Resources
5. Network resources includes communications technologies
and networks that are fundamental to all information
system. It includes:
 Communication Media- includes twisted pair wire,
microwave, cellular wireless technologies.
 Network Infrastructure- emphasizes that many hardware,
software and data technologies are needed to support the
operations and use of communication network.
– Communication processors such as modems,
communication control software, network OS, internet
browser packages.
 Information System Activities
• Input of Data Resources
• Processing of Data into Information
• Output of Information Products
• Storage of Data Resources
• Control of System Performance
 Input of Data Resources
• Data entry
• Editing
• Formal record of a transaction
• optical scanning of bar coded tags on
merchandise
• Machine readable
• Source documents
 Processing of Data into Information
• Calculate
• Compare
• Sort
• Classify
• Summarize
– calculating employee pay, taxes, and
other payroll deductions
• The quality of the data must be maintained by a
continual process of correcting and updating activities
 Output of Information Products
• Transmit information to users
• Producing reports and displays about sales
performance
• Display; paper; audio, reports, forms
 Storage of data
• Maintaining records on customers,
employees, products, sales
• Data are retained in an organized manner
• Fields; records; files; data bases, knowledge bases
 Control of system performance
• Generating audible signals to indicate proper
entry of data
• Feedback must be monitored and evaluated
to determine if the information system is
meeting established performance standards.
• Control system checks the feedback and
makes necessary changes
INFORMATION SYSTEM ACTIVITIES

 Input. (optical scanning of bar coded tags on

merchandise)
 Processing. (calculating employee pay, taxes, and
other payroll deductions)
 Output. (producing reports and displays about sales
performance)
 Storage. (maintaining records on customers,
employees, and products)
 Control. (generating audible signals to indicate proper entry
of sales data.)
 MANAGERIAL CHALLENGES
• IS and technologies must be managed to support business
strategies, business processes and organizational structures
and culture of a business enterprise
• Success and failure of IT should not be measured only by
efficiency in terms of minimizing cost, time and the use of
information resources.
• It should also be measured by effectiveness in supporting
business strategy, enabling business processes, enhancing
organizational structure and culture and increasing the
business and customer values
• However, IS & technology could be mismanaged and
misapplied resulting into not only technical problem but
also a business failure.
• Ex. Dell - Corporate Support call center
Shop Direct
 MANAGERIAL CHALLENGES
• Developing IS Solutions
– Agile : system is defined at high level and then developed
in short iterations
– Usable software after each iteration
• Challenges and Ethics of IT
– What might be considered improper, irresponsible and
harmful to other people or society
– Proper business use of IT, internet and organization’s IT
resources
– How to protect yourself from computer crime and other IT
risks
– Ex. CRM and HRM cases
– Ex. Hannaford Bros – Importance of securing cust. Data
 MANAGERIAL CHALLENGES
• Challenges of IT career
– Expensive pay to IT specialist
– Raising labor costs
– Off-shore outsourcing to India, Asia Pacific,
Middle-East.
– Decrease in the cost of IT and software resulting in
more use of them by companies
– To stay competitive and efficient, business must
use it
– More new and complex IS are being implemented
and used
 Chapter 5 Data
Resource Management

James A. O'Brien, and George Marakas.

Management Information Systems with MISource
Logical Data Elements

Chapter 5 Data Resource ManagementChapter 5 2

Logical Data Elements
 Character
 A single alphabetic, numeric, or other symbol
 Field or data item
 Represents an attribute (characteristic or quality)
of some entity (object, person, place, event)
 Example: salary, job title
 Record
 Grouping of all the fields used to describe the attributes of an
entity
 Example: payroll record with name, SSN, pay rate
 File or table
 A group of related records
 Database
 An integrated collection of logically related
data elements
Chapter 5 Data Resource ManagementChapter 5 3
Electric Utility Database

Chapter 5 Data Resource ManagementChapter 5 4

Database Structures
 Common database structures…
 Hierarchical
 Network
 Relational
 Object-oriented
 Multi-dimensional

Chapter 5 Data Resource ManagementChapter 5 5

Hierarchical Structure

 Early DBMS structure

 Records arranged in tree-
like structure
 Relationships are one-to-
many

Chapter 5 Data Resource ManagementChapter 5 6

Network Structure

 Used in some mainframe DBMS packages

 Many-to-many relationships

Chapter 5 Data Resource ManagementChapter 5 7

Relational Structure

 Most widely used structure

 Data elements are stored in tables
 Row represents a record; column is a field
 Can relate data in one file with data in another,
if both files share a common data element

Chapter 5 Data Resource ManagementChapter 5 8

Relational Operations
 Select
 Create a subset of records that meet a stated
criterion
 Example: employees earning more than
$30,000
 Join
 Combine two or more tables temporarily
 Looks like one big table
 Project
 Create a subset of columns in a table

Chapter 5 Data Resource ManagementChapter 5 9

Multidimensional Structure
 Variation of relational model
 Uses multidimensional structures to
organize data
 Data elements are viewed as being in cubes
 Popular for analytical databases that support
Online Analytical Processing (OLAP)

Chapter 5 Data Resource ManagementChapter 5 10

Multidimensional Model

Chapter 5 Data Resource ManagementChapter 5 11

Object-Oriented Structure
 An object consists of
 Data values describing the attributes of an
entity
 Operations that can be performed on the data
 Encapsulation
 Combine data and operations
 Inheritance
 New objects can be created by replicating
some or all of the characteristics of parent
objects

Chapter 5 Data Resource ManagementChapter 5 12

 Object-Oriented Structure

Source: Adapted from Ivar Jacobsen, Maria Ericsson, and Ageneta Jacobsen, The Object
Advantage: Business Process Reengineering with Object Technology (New York: ACM Press,
1995), p. 65.
Copyright @ 1995, Association for Computing Machinery. By permission.
Chapter 5 Data Resource ManagementChapter 5 13
Object-Oriented Structure
 Used in object-oriented database management
systems (OODBMS)
 Supports complex data types more efficiently
than relational databases
 Example: graphic images, video clips,
web pages

Chapter 5 Data Resource ManagementChapter 5 14

Evaluation of Database Structures
 Hierarchical
 Works for structured, routine transactions
 Can’t handle many-to-many relationship
 Network
 More flexible than hierarchical
 Unable to handle ad hoc requests
 Relational
 Easily responds to ad hoc requests
 Easier to work with and maintain
 Not as efficient/quick as hierarchical or network

Chapter 5 Data Resource ManagementChapter 5 15

Database Development
 Database Administrator (DBA)
 In charge of enterprise database development
 Improves the integrity and security of
organizational databases
 Uses Data Definition Language (DDL) to
develop and specify data contents,
relationships, and structure
 Stores these specifications in a data
dictionary or a metadata repository

Chapter 5 Data Resource ManagementChapter 5 16

Data Dictionary
 A data dictionary
 Contains data about data (metadata)
 Relies on specialized software component to
manage a database of data definitions
 It contains information on..
 The names and descriptions of all types of
data records and their interrelationships
 Requirements for end users’ access and use
of application programs
 Database maintenance
 Security
Chapter 5 Data Resource ManagementChapter 5 17
Database Development

Chapter 5 Data Resource ManagementChapter 5 18

Data Planning Process
 Database development is a top-down process
 Develop an enterprise model that defines the
basic business process of the enterprise
 Define the information needs of end users in
a business process
 Identify the key data elements that are
needed to perform specific business activities
(entity relationship diagrams)

Chapter 5 Data Resource ManagementChapter 5 19

Entity Relationship Diagram

Chapter 5 Data Resource ManagementChapter 5 20

Database Design Process
 Data relationships are represented in a data model that
supports a business process
 This model is the schema or subschema on which to
base…
 The physical design of the database
 The development of application programs to support
business processes
 Logical Design
 Schema - overall logical view of relationships
 Subschema - logical view for specific end users
 Data models for DBMS
 Physical Design
 How data are to be physically stored and
accessed on storage devices
Chapter 5 Data Resource ManagementChapter 5 21
Logical and Physical Database Views

Chapter 5 Data Resource ManagementChapter 5 22

Data Resource Management
 Data resource management is a managerial activity
 Uses data management, data warehousing,
and other IS technologies
 Manages data resources to meet the information
needs of business stakeholders
 Data stewards
 Dedicated to establishing and maintaining the
quality of data
 Need business, technology, and diplomatic skills
 Focus on data content
 Judgment is a big part of the job

Chapter 5 Data Resource ManagementChapter 5 23

Types of Databases

Chapter 5 Data Resource ManagementChapter 5 24

Operational Databases
 Stores detailed data needed to support business
processes and operations
 Also called subject area databases (SADB),
transaction databases, and production
databases
 Database examples: customer, human
resource, inventory

Chapter 5 Data Resource ManagementChapter 5 25

Distributed Databases
 Distributed databases are copies or parts of databases stored on
servers at multiple locations
 Improves database performance at worksites
 Advantages
 Protection of valuable data
 Data can be distributed into smaller databases
 Each location has control of its local data
 All locations can access any data, any where
 Disadvantages
 Maintaining data accuracy
 Replication
 Look at each distributed database and find changes
 Apply changes to each distributed database
 Very complex
 Duplication
 One database is master
 Duplicate the master after hours, in all locations
 Easier to accomplish
Chapter 5 Data Resource ManagementChapter 5 26
External Databases
 Databases available for a fee from commercial
online services, or free from the Web
 Example: hypermedia databases, statistical
databases, bibliographic and full text
databases
 Search engines like Google or Yahoo are
external databases

Chapter 5 Data Resource ManagementChapter 5 27

Hypermedia Databases
 A hypermedia database contains
 Hyperlinked pages of multimedia
 Interrelated hypermedia page elements,
rather than interrelated data records

Chapter 5 Data Resource ManagementChapter 5 28

Components of Web-Based
System

Chapter 5 Data Resource ManagementChapter 5 29

 Data Warehouses
 Stores static data that has been extracted from
other databases in an organization
 Central source of data that has been cleaned,
transformed, and cataloged
 Data is used for data mining, analytical
processing, analysis, research, decision support
 Data warehouses may be divided into data marts
 Subsets of data that focus on specific aspects
of a company (department or business process)

Chapter 5 Data Resource ManagementChapter 5 30

Data Warehouse Components

Chapter 5 Data Resource ManagementChapter 5 31

Applications and Data Marts

Chapter 5 Data Resource ManagementChapter 5 32

Data Mining
 Data in data warehouses are analyzed to reveal
hidden patterns and trends
 Market-basket analysis to identify new
product bundles
 Find root cause of qualify or manufacturing
problems
 Prevent customer attrition
 Acquire new customers
 Cross-sell to existing customers
 Profile customers with more accuracy

Chapter 5 Data Resource ManagementChapter 5 33

Traditional File Processing
 Data are organized, stored, and processed in
independent files
 Each business application designed to use
specialized data files containing specific
types of data records
 Problems
 Data redundancy
 Lack of data integration
 Data dependence (files, storage devices,
software)
 Lack of data integrity or standardization
Chapter 5 Data Resource ManagementChapter 5 34
Traditional File Processing

Chapter 5 Data Resource ManagementChapter 5 35

Database Management
Approach
 The foundation of modern methods of managing
organizational data
 Consolidates data records formerly in
separate files into databases
 Data can be accessed by many different
application programs
 A database management system (DBMS) is
the software interface between users and
databases

Chapter 5 Data Resource ManagementChapter 5 36

Database Management
Approach

Chapter 5 Data Resource ManagementChapter 5 37

Database Management System
 In mainframe and server computer systems, a
software package that is used to…
 Create new databases and database
applications
 Maintain the quality of the data in an
organization’s databases
 Use the databases of an organization to
provide the information needed by end users

Chapter 5 Data Resource ManagementChapter 5 38

Common DBMS Software
Components
 Database definition
 Language and graphical tools to define
entities, relationships, integrity constraints,
and authorization rights
 Nonprocedural access
 Language and graphical tools to access data
without complicated coding
 Application development
 Graphical tools to develop menus, data entry
forms, and reports
Chapter 5 Data Resource ManagementChapter 5 39
 Common DBMS Software
Components
 Procedural language interface
 Language that combines nonprocedural access
with full capabilities of a programming language
 Transaction processing
 Control mechanism prevents interference from
simultaneous users and recovers lost data after
a failure
 Database tuning
 Tools to monitor, improve database performance

Chapter 5 Data Resource ManagementChapter 5 40

Database Management System
 Database Development
 Defining and organizing the content,
relationships, and structure of the data needed
to build a database
 Database Application Development
 Using DBMS to create prototypes of queries,
forms, reports, Web pages
 Database Maintenance
 Using transaction processing systems and
other tools to add, delete, update, and correct
data
Chapter 5 Data Resource ManagementChapter 5 41
DBMS Major Functions

Chapter 5 Data Resource ManagementChapter 5 42

Database Interrogation
 End users use a DBMS query feature or report
generator
 Response is video display or printed report
 No programming is required

 Query language
 Immediate response to ad hoc data requests

 Report generator
 Quickly specify a format for information you
want to present as a report
Chapter 5 Data Resource ManagementChapter 5 43
Database Interrogation
 SQL Queries
 Structured, international standard query
language found in many DBMS packages
 Query form is SELECT…FROM…WHERE…

Chapter 5 Data Resource ManagementChapter 5 44

Database Interrogation
 Boolean Logic
 Developed by George Boole in the mid-1800s
 Used to refine searches to specific
information
 Has three logical operators: AND, OR, NOT
 Example
 Cats OR felines AND NOT dogs OR
Broadway

Chapter 5 Data Resource ManagementChapter 5 45

Database Interrogation
 Graphical and Natural Queries
 It is difficult to correctly phrase SQL and other
database language search queries
 Most DBMS packages offer easier-to-use,
point-and-click methods
 Translates queries into SQL commands
 Natural language query statements are similar
to conversational English

Chapter 5 Data Resource ManagementChapter 5 46

Graphical Query Wizard

Chapter 5 Data Resource ManagementChapter 5 47

Database Maintenance
 Accomplished by transaction processing
systems and other applications, with the support
of the DBMS
 Done to reflect new business transactions and
other events
 Updating and correcting data, such as
customer addresses

Chapter 5 Data Resource ManagementChapter 5 48

Application Development
 Use DBMS software development tools to
develop custom application programs
 Not necessary to develop detailed data-
handling procedures using conventional
programming languages
 Can include data manipulation language
(DML) statements that call on the DBMS to
perform necessary data handling

Chapter 5 Data Resource ManagementChapter 5 49

 Chapter 6
Telecommunications
and Networks
James A. O'Brien, and George Marakas.
Management Information Systems with MISource
Learning Objectives
 Understand the concept of a network
 Apply Metcalfe’s law in understanding the value of a network
 Identify major developments and trends in the industries,
technologies, and business applications of telecommunications
and Internet technologies
 Provide examples of the business value of Internet, intranet, and
extranet applications
 Identify the basic components, functions, and types of
telecommunications networks used in business
 Explain the functions of major components of
telecommunications network hardware, software, media, and
services
 Explain the concept of client/server networking
 Understand the two forms of peer-to-peer networking
 Explain the difference between digital and analog signals
 Identify the various transmission media
Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 2
Case 1 Wireless Mobile
Applications
 Best Buy’s Geek Squad remains connected via
a Pocket PC phone
 It connects wirelessly to Best Buy’s IT and
ordering system
 It also have Web browsing capabilities, for
access to Google and Yahoo maps
 Handwriting recognition software bypasses
small keyboard problem
 Voice recognition is being tested

Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 3

Case 1 Wireless Mobile
Applications
 Biggest problems
 Lack of application software
 Reduced functionality of software that exists
 Requires middleware to synchronize data
between back-end systems and the devices
 Applications don’t always meet worker’s
needs

Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 4

Case Study Questions
 What are the business advantages and limitations of
the Best Buy Geek Squad’s use of their wireless
Pocket PC mobile devices?
 How have they overcome the limitations?
 What are the software development challenges of
wireless mobile devices?
 How are MedStar Health and Unifi meeting
those challenges?
 Why don’t the companies in this case use some of the
thousands of software packages available for their
wireless mobile devices?
 What are the advantages and limitations of this
approach?
Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 5
Network Concepts
 A network is an interconnected or interrelated
chain, group, or system
 The number of possible connections on a
network is N(N–1) or N2 –N
 N = number of nodes (points of connection)
 Example: 10 computers on a network =
10(10–1)
= 10x9 = 90 possible connections

Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 6

Metcalfe’s Law
 The usefulness, or utility, of a network equals
the square of the number of users
 The more users on a network, the more useful
it becomes
 Until critical mass is reached, a change in
technology only affects the technology
 Once critical mass is attained, social, political,
and economic systems change
 Example: The Internet is growing
exponentially. We can expect more value, for
less cost, virtually every time we log on.
Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 7
Telecommunication Trends

Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 8

 Telecommunications-Based
Services

Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 9

Internet Networking Technologies
 Internet networking technologies are being
used as technology platform
 Web browser suites
 HTML Web page editors
 Network management software
 Firewalls
 Being applied in Internet, intranet, and
extranet applications
 Reinforces previous move toward client/server
networks based on open-systems architecture

Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 10

Open Systems
 Open systems use common standards for
hardware, software, applications, and networks
 Internet networking technologies are a
common standard for open systems
 Connectivity
 Open systems provide greater connectivity
and network interoperability
 Middleware may be needed to help diverse
systems work together

Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 11

Middleware
 Middleware
 A general term for any programming that
mediates between two separate programs
 Allows a particular database to access other
databases without custom programming
 Commonly known as the “plumbing” of an
information system
 It routes data and information between back-
end data sources and end user applications
 An essential component of any IT
infrastructure
Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 12
Digital Network Technologies
 Telecommunications are being revolutionized by
switch from analog to digital
 Analog: voice-oriented transmission
 Digital: discrete pulse transmission
 Benefits
 Higher transmission speeds
 Moves larger amounts of information
 Greater economy and much lower error rates
 Transmits multiple types of communications
(data, voice, video) on the same circuits

Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 13

Wireless Technologies
 Fiber-optic
 Uses pulses of laser-generated light
 Reduced size and installation effort
 Vastly greater communication capacity
 Faster transmission speeds
 Freedom from electrical interference
 Satellite Transmission
 Can move massive quantities of data, audio,
and video over global networks
 Especially useful in isolated areas

Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 14

Business Application Trends
 Telecommunications networks now play a vital
and pervasive role in Web-enabled…
 E-business processes
 Electronic commerce
 Enterprise collaboration
 Other applications that support operations,
management, and strategic objectives

Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 15

Internet2
 Next generation of the Internet
 High-performance
 Different infrastructure than the current
Internet
 Will not replace the current Internet
 In use at over 200 universities, scientific
institutions, communications corporations
 May never become totally open
 Users are connected via Abilene, a backbone
that supports throughput of 10 Gbps
 Infinite bandwidth
Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 16
Value of Telecommunications
Networks

Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 17

The Internet Revolution
 The Internet has become a global information
superhighway
 Millions of smaller, private networks operating
independent of, or in harmony with, each
other
 10 servers in 1991 to over 46 million today
 Sustained growth in excess of 1 million
servers per month
 No central computer system
 No governing body
 Based on common standards
Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 18
Internet Service Providers
 ISP
 A company that specializes in providing easy
access to the Internet
 For a monthly fee, provides software, user
name, password, and Internet access
 ISPs themselves are connected to one another
through network access points
 One ISP can easily connect to another to
obtain addresses of websites or user nodes

Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 19

Internet Applications
 Most popular Internet applications and uses
 E-mail
 Instant messaging
 Browsing the Web
 Newsgroups
 Chat rooms
 Publish opinions, subject matter, creative work
 Buy and sell
 Downloading (data, software, reports, pictures,
music, videos)

Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 20

Business Use of the Internet

Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 21

Business Value of the Internet

Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 22

The Role of Intranets
 Many companies have sophisticated and
widespread intranets, offering…
 Detailed data retrieval
 Collaboration
 Personalized customer profiles
 Links to the Internet
 Intranets use Internet technologies
 Web browsers and servers
 TCP/IP network protocols
 HTML publishing and databases

Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 23

Intranets
 Intranets are protected by…
 Passwords
 Encryption
 Firewalls
 Customers, suppliers, and other business
partners can access an intranet via extranet
links

Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 24

Business Value of Intranets
 Intranets support
 Communications and collaboration
 Business operations and management
 Web publishing
 Intranet portal management

Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 25

Intranets as Information Portals

Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 26

Extranets
 Network links that use Internet technologies to
connect the intranet of a business to the
intranets of another
 Virtual Private Networks
 Direct private network links, or private secure
Internet links between companies
 Unsecured Extranet
 Link between a company and others via the
Internet, relying on encryption of sensitive
data and firewall security systems

Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 27

Extranet Connectivity

Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 28

Business Value of Extranets
 Web browser technology makes customer and
supplier access to intranets easier and faster
 Another way to build and strengthen strategic
relationships
 Enables and improves collaboration between a
business, customers, and partners
 Facilitates online, interactive product development
and marketing

Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 29

Telecommunications Network
Alternatives
 Telecommunications is a highly technical,
rapidly changing field
 Most business professionals don’t need
detailed technical knowledge
 However, understanding basic components
and their characteristics is necessary
 Can help you make informed decisions about
telecommunications alternatives

Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 30

Case 2 Wireless Sensor Networks
 HP experimenting with wireless networked
sensors
 Reinventing how companies manage the flow
of goods
 Wireless sensor devices (motes) combine a
circuit board with networking and application
software
 Powered by a pair of AA batteries
 Mesh networking
 Each device wakes for a fraction of a second
to transmit information to its nearest neighbor
Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 31
Case 2 Wireless Sensor Networks
 Other uses
 Ground-sensor networks can detect illegal
crossings of people or vehicles
 Monitoring of industrial plants and ships
 Remotely adjusting lighting and heat
 Testing soil for pollutants
 Detecting chemical storage leaks
 Monitoring vibration levels
 Analyzing traffic patterns

Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 32

Case Study Questions
 What are some of the business benefits
associated with using wireless networks to collect
and transmit data?
 What are some of the challenges being faced in
this use of wireless technologies?
 What solutions can you offer?
 The use of wireless networking as described in
the case is both innovative and functional.
 What other business uses can you envision
for this approach?

Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 33

Telecommunications Network Model
 A telecommunications network is any
arrangement where
 A sender transmits a message
 To a receiver
 Over a channel
 Consisting of some sort of medium

Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 34

Telecommunications Network
Components
 Terminals
 Any input/output device that uses networks
to transmit or receive data
 Telecommunications processors
 Devices that support data transmission,
reception
 Telecommunications channels
 Media over which data are transmitted,
received
 Computers
 All sizes and types
Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 35
Telecommunications Network
Components
 Telecommunications control software
 Controls telecommunications activities
 Manages the functions of telecommunications
networks
 Includes network management programs of all
kinds
 Telecommunications monitors (mainframes)
 Network operating systems (network servers)
 Web browsers (microcomputers)

Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 36

Network Component Alternatives

Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 37

Types of Communications
Networks
 Primary types of communications networks
 Wide Area
 Local Area
 Virtual Private
 Client/Server
 Peer-to-peer

Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 38

Wide Area Network (WAN)
 Telecommunication network that covers a large
geographic area

Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 39

Local Area Network (LAN)
 Connects
computers
within a limited
physical area,
such as an
office,
classroom, or
building

Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 40

Virtual Private Networks (VPN)
 Used to establish secure intranets and extranets
 The Internet is the main backbone network
 Relies on network firewalls, encryption, and
other security features to build a “pipe”
through the Internet
 Creates a private network without the high
cost of a separate proprietary connection

Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 41

Virtual Private Network

Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 42

Client/Server Networks
 Clients
 End user personal computers or networked
computers
 Servers
 Used to manage the networks
 Processing
 Shared between the clients and servers
 Sometimes called a two-tier architecture
 Larger computer systems are being replaced with
multiple client/server networks

Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 43

Client/Server Network

Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 44

Network Computing
 Networks are the central computing resource of
the organization
 Thin clients provide a browser-based user
interface for processing applets
 Thin clients include
 Network computers
 Net PCs
 Other low-cost network devices or
information appliances

Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 45

Network Computing
 Application and database servers provide
 The operating system
 Application software
 Applets
 Databases
 Database management software
 Sometimes called a three-tier client/server
model because it consists of
 Thin clients
 Application servers
 Database servers
Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 46
Network Computing

Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 47

Peer-to-Peer Networks
 Central Server Architecture
 P2P file-sharing software connects all PCs
to a central server
 When a PC requests a file, the server
searches
all active peers on the network
 The server sends the requesting PC a list of
links to all active peers who have the file
 Clicking a link connects the two PCs and
automatically transfers the file to the
requesting PC
Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 48
Peer-to-Peer Networks
 Pure Peer-to-Peer Architecture
 No central directory or server
 File-sharing software connects one PC to
another online user
 When you request a file, the software
searches every online user and sends you a
list of active file names
 Clicking a link automatically transfers the file
from that user’s hard drive to yours

Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 49

Central Server Peer-to-Peer
Networks
 Advantages
 Can better protect the integrity and security
of the content and users of the network
 Disadvantages
 Directory server can be slowed or
overwhelmed by too many users or technical
problems

Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 50

Peer-to-Peer Network Diagrams

Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 51

Digital and Analog Signals
 Analog or digital refers to the method used to
convert information into an electrical signal
 Analog: an electrical current is generated that
is proportional to the quantity being observed
 Digital: the quantity being observed is
expressed as a number
 Analog: if the temperature is 83 degrees, a
measuring device would generate 8.3 volts
 Digital: a measurement of 83 degrees
would be displayed as the number 83

Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 52

Telecommunications Media
 Twisted-Pair Wire
 Ordinary telephone wire
 Copper wire is twisted
into pairs
 Coaxial Cable
 Sturdy copper or
aluminum wire wrapped
with spacers to insulate
and protect it
 Fiber-Optic Cable
 One or more hair-thin
filaments of glass
fiber wrapped in a
protective jacket
Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 53
The Problem of “The Last Mile”
 Network providers use fiber optic cable as a
communications backbone
 Houses connected to the backbone are wired
with twisted pair
 Users don’t benefit from the faster, better
technology

Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 54

Wireless Technologies
 Terrestrial Microwave
 Earthbound microwave systems transmit
high-speed radio signals
 Follows a line-of-sight path between relay systems
spaced about 30 miles apart
 Communications Satellites
 Serve as relay stations
 Use microwave radio signals
 Earth stations beam signals to the satellites
 Not suitable for interactive, real-time processing

Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 55

Wireless Technologies
 Cellular and PCS Telephone and Pager Systems
 Geographic areas are divided into cells
 Each cell has a low-power transmitter or radio relay
antenna
 Computers and other communications processors
coordinate and control the transmissions to and from
mobile users
 Wireless LANS
 Uses wireless radio-wave technology to
connect PCs within an office or a building
 Can be high-frequency, similar to digital
cellular, or low frequency (spread spectrum)

Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 56

Wireless Technologies
 Bluetooth
 Short-range wireless technology
 Connects PCs to devices, such as a printer
 Fairly low cost to implement
 Other Wireless Systems
 Cellular phones
 Mobile radio
 PDAs
 Telecommunications networks now play vital and
pervasive roles in
 Web-enabled e-business processes
 Electronic commerce
 Enterprise collaboration
 Other applications that support business operations,
management, and strategic objectives
Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 57
The Wireless Web
 Wireless Internet access is growing as Web-
enabled information appliances proliferate
 Smart telephones, pagers, PDAs
 All are very thin clients in wireless networks

Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 58

Telecommunications Processors
 Modems
 The most common type of communications
processor
 Converts a digital signal to an analog
frequency that can be transmitted over phone
lines, then back into a digital signal
 Modulation and demodulation

Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 59

Comparing Technologies

Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 60

Inter-Network Processors
 Switch… makes connections between
telecommunications circuits in a network
 Router… intelligent communications processor
that interconnects networks based on different
protocols
 Hub… a port-switching communications
processor
 Gateway… connects networks with different
communications architectures

Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 61

Communications Processors

Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 62

Communications Processors
 Multiplexer… allows a single communications
channel to carry simultaneous data
transmissions from many terminals
 In time division multiplexing (TDM), the
multiplexer divides the time each terminal can
use the high-speed into short time slots
 Multiplexers increase the number of
transmissions possible
 Does not increase the number of physical
data channels

Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 63

Telecommunications Software
 May reside in PCs, servers, mainframes, and
communications processors
 Vital part of all telecommunications networks
 Used to manage network performance
 WANs often use telecommunications
monitors or teleprocessing monitors
 Other networks use operating system
software
 Middleware helps diverse networks
communicate with each other

Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 64

Network Management Functions
 Traffic Management
 Manage network resources and traffic to
avoid congestion and optimize service levels
 Security
 Provide authentication, encryption, firewall, auditing,
and enforcement
 Network Monitoring
 Troubleshoot and watch over the network, alerting
administrators of potential problems
 Capacity Planning
 Survey network resources, traffic patterns, and users’
needs
 Determine the best way to accommodate the needs
of the network as it grows and changes
Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 65
Network Topologies
 Topology - The structure of a network
 Star Network - Ties end user computers to a central
computer
 Ring Network - Ties local computer processors together
in a ring on a relatively equal basis
 Bus Network - Local processors share the same
communications channel
 Mesh Network - Uses direct communications lines to
connect some or all of the computers in the ring to
each other
 Switch - A message-switching computer that handles
data communication between autonomous
local computers
Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 66
Network Topologies

Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 67

Network Architectures and
Protocols
 Protocol
 A standard set of rules and procedures for the control of
communications in a network
 Handshaking
 The process of exchanging predetermined
signals and characters
 Establishes a telecommunications session between terminals
and computers
 Network Architecture
 Master plan of standard protocols, hardware, software, and
interfaces between end users
and computer systems
 Goal is to promote an open, simple, flexible,
and efficient telecommunications environment
Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 68
OSI and TCP/IP Models
 Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) Model
 A seven-layer model that serves as a
standard model for network architectures
 Model for how messages should be
transmitted between two points in a network
 Each layer adds functions
 Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol
(TCP/IP)
 A five-layer telecommunications protocol used
by the Internet

Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 69

OSI and TCP/IP Models

Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 70

Voice Over IP
 Internet Telephony
 Using an Internet connection to pass voice
data using IP instead of a telephone network
 Often referred to as voice over IP or VoIP
 Works like a regular phone, but skips long-
distance charges
 Runs over standard network infrastructure
 Requires a well-configured network to work
smoothly

Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 71

Bandwidth
 Bandwidth
 The frequency range of a telecommunications
channel that determines the maximum
transmission rate
 Speed and capacity typically measured in bits
per second (bps)
 Sometimes call baud rate
 Transmission Rates
 Narrow-band = low speed
 Broadband = high speed

Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 72

Transmission Speeds

Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 73

Switching Alternatives
 Circuit Switching
 Switch opens a circuit to establish a link
between a sender and a receiver
 It remains open until the communication
session is completed
 Packet Switching
 Breaks messages into groups called packets
 Transmits packets separately

Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 74

Network Interoperability
 Ensures that anyone anywhere on one network
can communicate with anyone anywhere on
another network
 From a telecommunications perspective, no
need to speak a common language
 Telecommunications would be possible without
 Complete accessibility
 Transparency
 Seamless interoperability across all networks

Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 75

Case 3 Leading the Way for VoIP
 VoIP works by
 Digitizing a voice signal
 Chopping it into packets
 Sending them over a network or the Internet
 Reassembling them at the destination
 VoIP allowed the Minnesota Dept. of Labor
to cut its phone bill in half

Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 76

Case Study Questions
 What are the main benefits that can be gained
by companies that switch to VoIP systems?
 What are some of the major cost factors that
may limit a positive rate of return from
investments in VoIP projects?
 Should more companies switch to VoIP
systems?

Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 77

Case 4 Serving Citizens with
Wireless
 Earth Alert Emergency Management System in
Maryland provides
 Devices to communicate warnings to
individuals before a disaster
 Tools to collect timely information after a
disaster
 Aurora, Colorado
 Connects police and fire department vehicles
via wireless connections

Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 78

Case Study Questions
 What is the business value of advanced mobile
technologies in Maryland’s emergency
management services?
 In what other government services could GPS
serve to provide business value?
 As there disadvantages or risks associated with
the deployment of GPS systems to monitor the
location of people?

Chapter 6 Telecommunications and Networks 79