Managing Information Systems and Communication Technology

business essentials -- part 12 -- terms

Information manager -- manager responsible for designing and implementing systems to gather, organize, and distribute information
information management -- internal operations for ranging a firm's information resources to support business performance and outcomes
information system (IS) -- system for transferring raw data into information that can be used in decision-making
data -- raw facts and figures
information -- meaningful, useful interpretation of data
electronic information technologies (EIT) -- information systems applications, based on telecommunications technologies, that use networks of appliances or devices to communicate information by electronic means
electronic conferencing -- computer-based system that allows people to communicate simultaneously from different locations via software or telephone
groupware -- software that connects members of a group for shared e-mail distribution, electronic meetings, appointments, and group writing
data communication network -- global network (such as the Internet) that permits users to send electronic messages and information quickly and economically
Internet -- global data communication networks serving millions of computers with information on a wide array of topics and providing communication flows along certain private networks
Internet service provider (ISP) -- commercial firm that maintains a permanent connection to the net and sells temporary connections to subscribers
World Wide Web -- subsystem of computers providing access to the Internet and offering multimedia and linking capabilities
Web server -- dedicated workstation customized for managing, maintaining, and supporting web sites
browser -- software supporting the graphics and linking capabilities necessary to navigate the World Wide Web
search engine -- tool that searches Web pages containing the user search terms and then displays pages that match
intranet -- private network of internal Web sites and other sources of information available to a company's employees
firewall -- software and hardware system that prevents outsiders from accessing a company's internal network
extranet -- Internet allowing outsiders access to a firm's internal information system
mass-customization -- flexible production process that generates customized products and high volumes at low-cost
enterprise resource planning (ERP) -- large information system for integrating all the activities of a company's business units
knowledge worker -- employee who uses information and knowledge as raw materials and relies on information technology to design new products or business systems
system operations personnel -- information systems employees who run a company's computer equipment
computer-aided design (CAD) -- computer-based electronic technology that assists in designing products by stimulating a real product and displaying it in three-dimensional graphics
computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) -- computer system used to design and control equipment needed in the manufacturing process
management information system (MIS) -- system used for transforming data into information for use in decision-making
decision support system (DSS) -- interactive computer-based system that locates and presents information needed to support decision-making
executive support system (ESS) -- quick reference information system application designed especially for instant access by upper-level managers
artificial intelligence (AI) -- computer system application that imitates human behavior by performing physical tasks, using thought processes, sensing, and learning
robotics -- combination of computers and industrial robots for use in manufacturing operations
expert system -- form of artificial intelligence that attempts to imitate the behavior of human experts in a particular field
computer network -- all the computer and information technology devices that, by working together, drive the flow of digital information throughout a system
hardware -- physical components of a computer system
software -- programs that instruct a computer in what to do
database -- centralized, organized collection of related data
system program -- software that tells the computer what resources to use and how to use them
application program -- software, such as Word for Windows, that processes data according to a user's special needs
word processing program -- applications program that allows computers to store, edit, and print letters and numbers for documents created by users
electronic spreadsheet -- applications program with a row-and-column format that allows users to store, manipulate, and compare numeric data
database management program -- applications program for creating, storing, searching, and manipulating an organized collection of data
computer graphics program -- applications program that converts numeric and character data into pictorial information such as graphs and charts
presentation graphics software -- applications that enable users to create visual presentations that can include animation and sound
desktop publishing -- process of combining word processing and graphics capability to produce virtually typeset quality text from personal computers
graphical user interface (GUI) -- software that provides a visual display to help users select applications
icon -- small image in a GUI that enables users to select applications or functions
multimedia communications system -- connected network of communication appliances (such as faxes or TVs) that may be linked to other forms of mass media (such as print publications or TV programming)
wide area network (WAN) -- network of computers and workstations located far from one another and linked by telephone wires or by satellite
local area network (LAN) -- network of computers and workstations, usually within a company, that are linked together by cable
client/server network -- information technology system consisting of clients (users) that are electronically linked to share network resources provided by a server, such as a host computer