《UNDERSTANDING INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY》

1The Need for Information1

Introduction2

Whatis Information Technology?2

The Desire to Communicate3

Information Technoiogyand Office Systems3

A Typical Business4

Drowningin Paper6

The Data Flow Among Organizational Functions7

Data and Information8

Why We Need Information8

Levels of Decision-Making9

Sources of Information12

Using Machines to Improve Information Resources14

A Preview of the Remaining Chapters18

Questions19

Readings: Technology Development20

Information Technology in Industry26

2Computers29

Introduction30

Basic Computer Concepts30

The Importance of Software32

Computer Personnel39

Ways of Using Computers39

Micros to Maxis—What's in a Name?46

Information Systems47

Documenting Systems49

Questions50

Readings: How a Microcomputer Works54

Number Systems55

What Have We Here?56

Technology Trends in the Information Processing Industry58

Software Shootout62

Careers in Computing66

3Selected Output Methods71

Introduction72

Output Options72

Printed Matter as an Information Resource73

Printed-Matter Problems75

Hard Copy or Soft Copy?76

Types of Printers76

Overlapping Printing and Processing78

Distributed Printing78

Terminals79

Graphics79

Computer Typesetting81

Audio Response Units82

Questions83

Readings: Output Design and Management84

The Facts About Printer Systems86

Computer Graphics for Management Decision-Making92

4Selected Input Methods99

Introduction100

The Input Function100

Input Methods101

Input Systemsin Use103

User-Friendly Design113

Questions114

Readings: Design of Data Entry Screens117

Causes of Erroneous Data Input120

What the World is Waiting For122

5Selected Storage Methods127

Introduction128

Magnetic Tapes128

Magnetic Disks129

Streaming Tape131

Micrographics131

Videodisks and Optical Disks134

Questions135

Readings: Kodak Integrates Technologies136

The Hard Word on Disks138

6Data Management141

Introduction142

The Data Resource142

Handling Large Volumes of Data142

Retrieval of Data144

Updating Data146

Stored Data Problems146

Organizing Data in Computer Files147

Retrieving Records from Computer Files148

Master Files and Transaction Files149

Some Other Types of Files150

What Is a Data Base?150

Readings: Computers Against Organized Crime152

A Data Base of Patrol Vehicles154

Changing the Contents of Computer Files155

Protecting Computer Files155

Query Systems157

Nonprocedural or Fourth-Generation Programming Languages157

Readings: Using FOCUS158

Using SQL162

INTELLECT—A Natural English Query System162

UsingSAS164

Use of Fourth-Generation Languages165

Questions168

Readings: Creating and Using a Data Base169

Computers That Think Like Experts174

7Programming Computers185

Introduction186

Language Development186

What Is Programming?187

Aids for Developing Programs190

Keeping Logic Simple194

Pseudocode196

Flowcharting198

Programming Languages199

Using BASIC200

Using PICK BASIC206

Using COBOL207

Questions217

Readings: Computer Speak221

INFO/BASIC Syntax226

8Using Communications Systems231

Introduction232

Communications Networks232

Communications Products242

Telephones244

Readings: Faster Firefighters247

Illinois Toll Authority Communications System249

Interlaser250

Transmitting Images by Telephone250

Electronic Mail250

Electronic Filing System252

Teleconferencing252

Bulletin Boards253

Public Data Bases254

Videotex Systems254

Electronic Funds Transfer Systems (EFTS)258

Home Banking259

Miniature Inquiry Terminal259

Facsimile Communication259

Questions261

Readings: Why Fibre Optics are Taking Over263

A Perspective on Communications and Computing264

Personal Computer Networks Go On-Line267

Videotex—The Beginning273

9Converting from a Manual System to a Computer System279

Introduction280

Manual Systems in the Case Company280

Business Growth and Stagnation282

Problem Specification284

Computer System Selection288

Evaluating Appropriate Software289

Evaluating Appropriate Hardware291

Feasibility Review292

Evaluating Vendors295

Questions296

Readings: Micros Come Out of the Closet297

Micro-Mini Links Building Strategy301

Questions for Readings303

10Implementation and Operation Using Packages305

Introduction306

Implementation at the Case Company306

Sample Accounts Receivable System309

Customer Master Details311

Creating the Master File314

Operations at the Case Company316

Transaction Entry: An Overview316

Producing Reports321

Month-End Processing322

Questions323

Readings: Contingency Planning: A Discussion of Strategies325

Installing Manufacturing System Software Package329

Questions for Readings331

11Developing Information Systems—Methods and Aids333

Introduction334

Systems Development Activities334

Systems Life Cycle336

Applications Backlog337

Micros and the Applications Backlog337

Productivity Aids and the Applications Backlog340

Prototyping343

Using Office Automation Systems345

Information Centers349

Questions353

Readings: Managing Systems Development: A User's Guide353

What Is Best for the User? Packages vs In-House Programs360

MANTIS: A User Report364

Justifying Office Automation366

CAUTION: User Developed Systems Can Be Dangerous to Your Organization371

Questions for Readings380

12How Growth and Diversity Affect Information Systems381

Introduction382

Implications of Growth and Diversity382

Decision-Makingin Larger Organizations383

Complexity in Larger Organizations383

What Information Do We Need?389

Other Information Needs and Sources390

When Do We Need Information?391

The Need for Decision Support Systems394

Functions Needed for Decision Support Systems398

Managing Information Technology399

Questions402

Readings: The On-Line Revolution at the Nestle Co.404

Financial Modeling Within Distributed Systems406

Applications Systems Planning at Weyerhaeuser411

Questions for Readings419

13Information Technology and Society421

Introduction422

Employment422

Ergonomics425

Robotics425

Crime426

Privacy430

The Disabled434

Questions435

Readings: A Human Perspective436

Ergonomics: The Key to Efficiency in the Modern Office Environment438

What MIS Executives Need to Know About Robotics440

The Protection of Intellectual Property444

Enhancing the Receptive and Expressive Abilities of Physically Handicapped People446

Questions for Readings451

14Practical Cases453

Introduction454

Olympic Games454

Avid Aths455

The Jolly Soak456

DK Corporation458

Charlotte's Cleaning Company459

General Airlines Limited460

Eastern College of Higher Learning462

True Traders464

Australian Red Cross Society473

Name Index481

Organization Index482

Product Index483

Acronym Index485

Subject Index486