Distance Learning IS

Before this class had started an information system was nothing I could talk in-depth about. Understanding what an IS actually is and what it does is a necessity in any type of business related work path. An IS holds information for a company or business and analyzes this information, revising it so workers can understand it and organize this information according to the companies project. IS plays a big role in how companies organize and store data, these systems can be used in all aspects of business and more. Not only are IS used for business related situations they can be found in sports, education, medical practices, military practices and much more.

            I really liked this opportunity to learn about information systems because all of this class was pretty much using one. Moodle connected us with our professor and each other, enabling us to share information and assignments while we critiqued each other and learned as a whole. Learning about a certain concept while actually practicing it, as a class tool really was a different approach to learning. Also I would not have realized that Facebook is actually a massive IS as well, and without this class I probably would not have known this. We share with our friend’s status and comments, which can be seen as information, and we can even organize events by connecting with friends through the Internet, while all of our actions on Facebook are recorded in our profiles history. We can find examples of IS everywhere we look.

            I learned many new actions and items that play roles in how IS work and operate. Understanding how Zoho works will really help me moving forward. Zoho plays a role as a software component and is an internal component for any organization that uses it. I really like using Zoho and experimenting with how many functions it has to offer from spreadsheets to databases it can really aid in a lot of work related practices. I really understand now that many of the applications and types of hardware and software I use are all connected through cloud computing. When I use Loop Labs to work on music with my friends all of that music can be shared through the Internet as well as when I use Kicksonfire to design new clothing for the ‘Simple’ company my friends and I have established. All computers contribute to creating a massive cloud of information which links all computers together enabling all of them to share information with each other. Understanding how these practices work will really help me understand and progress later in life with outside help and feedback.

DSS

DSS also known as decision support systems are very important in businesses today. (3) A DSS is a model of data that is collected and analyzed so a company can make supportive decisions off of this information. Without this approach there would be many executive decisions internally and externally in a business that would be unsupported and most likely ill advised. This system compiles all relevant information for a specific task, sums up statistics and possible risks the company could take and then organizes this information for the company to develop a supportive solution and/ or answer out of this data. This system was designed so that all companies could base their actions off of some type of supportive structure. Most people believe that a DSS is only an occasional occurrence within a company when in reality there is DSS made almost every day for supportive data within the company. They key to support systems is to collect data, analyze the data and shape it so the company can then make sound decisions off of it.

            Decision support systems are not only one thing there are many different types of these systems for different situations. For instance, a DSS that simply collects data and organizes it effectively are called passive models, these models normally just reveal the data for the company and do not completely suggest a specific decision. Another DSS is the cooperative decision support system, which, is when the data is collected and analyzed for the company, then sent to a human component that can then help the DSS, be revised and checked for supportive reassurance. Another DSS is known as the model driven DSS and this is developed when decision makers use (1) statistical, simulations or financial models to come up with a solution or strategy. There is a different type of DSS for each business relative situation. All of these DSS are used for the benefit of the company to establish supportive decisions based on the best possible information that the company can offer. These systems lower risk, enable the company to support their own facts and data as well as offer a conceptual outcome of what could happen if this decision is made. These systems are used in almost every business around the world and are some of the most supportive tools in a company.

1.     http://www.tech-faq.com/decision-support-system.html

2.     http://dssresources.com/

3.     http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decision_support_system

Electronic Business

Electronic Business can also be known as the top application for information and communication technology. It is commonly referred to as ‘eBusiness’, this connects businesses, individuals, etc. through the Internet to transact and sell with buyers and sellers. Obviously making buying and selling for companies and people across the globe much easier and convenient. For electronic businesses a lot of there practices enable and very easy way of connecting and sharing internal and external data. Electronic business is sometimes mistaken with e-commerce when in actuality they are just similar. (1) While e-business refers to more strategic focus with an emphasis on the functions that occur using electronic capabilities, e-commerce is a subset of an overall e-business strategy. Electronic business involves use of the entire value chain while technical standards for eBusiness officiate how data is exchanged through businesses and people. While e-commerce can be seen in examples like Buy.com, eBay.com or Amazon.com, eBusiness can be seen as a bigger picture by connecting businesses with businesses and leaving websites and WebPages for personal buyers and sellers. Electronic business has a major component, which enables every type of transaction to go through officially, this is known as electronic commerce (EC). (1) Electronic commerce (EC) is the process of buying, transferring, or exchanging products, services, and/or information via computer networks, including the Internet. EC can also be benefited from many perspective including business process, service, learning, collaborative, community. EC is often confused with e-business. Companies across the world revolve around electronic business because the way our world has adapted to technology now we are so reliant on online transactions and business actions. Some companies need to utilize this because there can be no other way to receive a product or good that you need other than buying it online. However, there still is more that goes into that like data, information, projects, etc. all follow the guidelines of eBusiness to operate smoothly. A final description of this can be (2) Electronic business (e-business) is any process that a business organization conducts over a computer-mediated network.

1.    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_business

2.     http://www.census.gov/epcd/www/ebusines.htm

3.     http://www.uspto.gov/ebc/indexebc.html

Cloud Computing

Every day each of us log onto Moodle and read news on this class or upload posts to our blogs we can thank cloud computing. Cloud computing gives us the ability to sit at our computer and connect with other millions of users of the Internet worldwide. Every file, document, link, etc. that can be shared publically through the Internet is powered by cloud computing. To visualize how cloud computing works we could picture a massive bubble, this massive bubble would be known as ‘the cloud’ or ‘the computer cloud’. All around the outside of this cloud you can see computers that are external sources that create one massive cloud with all of their software, data and information that each of these computers share through each other. Smaller bubbles in the cloud could be Google, AOL, Microsoft, Firefox, Yahoo, YouTube, Zoho and more. This entire picture makes up how cloud computing is supported and operated. A conceptual diagram could be found at Wikipedia.com (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud_computing).

            Every server that plays a roll on the Internet that offers information or any public material is linked to a massive server via cloud computing. For this class specifically, we are connected through Moodle and our blogs. Both of those WebPages are linked to a cloud-computing server that makes up our class through all of our students. This cloud is also connected to other massive clouds that support Moodle and the other sites that we use for our class. Without cloud computing there would be much less information world wide than there is already, also we can see a reduction in face to face transactions and waiting on lines. Instead we can sit at home and order products through the Internet and cloud computing connects you directly to the seller. This is something that aids us nationally because we are able to share information and data so much more easily.

1.     http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud_computing

2.     http://www.20thingsilearned.com/cloud-computing/1

Database Table

http://reports.zoho.com/ZDBDataSheetView.cc?OBJID=214626000000002032&STANDALONE=true&ZDB_THEME_NAME=blue&DATATYPESYMBOL=false&REMTOOLBAR=true&SEARCHBOX=true

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I organized a table for Apple Products

Databases

Databases are used in almost every business to organize information and data. Without databases businesses would be lost in all of the information and data that they are forced to care for, there simply would be too much to organize without a database. Also not only in the business world are databases used, they can be used in personal life through school, sports or hobbies. To organize important information that is relevant to a task is necessary for a positive progression in that field. For example, within a business one would use a database to care for the business reports, economic incomes and outcomes, etc. Also if a student was just starting a college search they could use a database to organize the schools he/ she would be interested in and take down all the facts and information they would want to keep for distinguishing which school would be best for them. A well-designed and controlled database is extremely valuable in decision-making. Database products play hand in hand with databases and make it easier for you to handle your information.

            One popular database product is Microsoft Access and is available with the Microsoft Office Professional suite of business products therefore no additional database software is required if your company purchases computers with this suite of products already installed (1). Another database product is Oracle9i, this product comes in three different editions, which are: Oracle9i standard edition, which is the general product from this line. Used mainly for single server environments and includes a full set of management tools and web features. Oracle9i Enterprise Edition is a more efficient and reliable version of the standard. It is used with high-end applications and on-line transaction processing (OLTP). And the last edition is the Oracle9i Personal Edition, which supports a single user and is mainly used outside the business world for more personal matters, school, hobbies, etc. (2). Databases are very important in business relations and management. A database management system (DBMS) can be used to control the creation and maintenance through computer programs. This allows organizers to control database development in the hands of database administrators (DBA) (3). All databases need to be frequently cared for so they can keep their value with current information.

1.     http://www.blueclaw-db.com/microsoft_access.htm

2.     www.magnifix.com/pdf/9idb_features.pdf

3.     http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Database_management_system

Ice Hockey Alumni Game (2)

http://sheet.zoho.com/open.do?docid=1137446000000006001



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