TEAM WORK

a. Divide workers into task-focused teams (teams contain workers from throughout the organization - when the task is completed, the team is disbanded)
b. Groupware and networks make working in teams much easier.

Top Managers and Computers

a. In the past, managers received printed reports (today, most managers have personal computer on their desks)
b. System designed for top managers (- decision support system - executive information system)

Decision Support System
Support executives in nonroutine decision-making tasks (-executives deal with a constantly changing environment - decisions need to be made that have no precedent)

Key Components of a DSS

• A modeling process (model - a mathematical representation of real-life system)
• Uses variable to produce output
• Simulation - using a computer model to reach a decision about a real-life situation.
  

Variables

• Independent variables - inputs to the system (can be changed to test different scenarios)
• Dependent variables - outputs of the system (called dependent because their values depend on the values of the independent variables)

Executive Information System
Concerned with how decisions affect an entire organization (Use information from an organization's system - Also use information from outside the organization, for example, competitors, government agencies, and the financial community)

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN DSS AND MIS

• MIS emphasizes planned reports on a variety of subject - DSS focuses on decision making
• MIS reports are standard, structured, scheduled, and routine - DSS is unstructured and available on request
• MIS is constrained by the organizational system - DSS is immediate and friendly

Managing Personal Computer

Several problems emerged as personal computer usage exploded
- No one person managed the process of moving from mainframe computer to PCs
- Computers and software were not necessarily compatible
- Users still needed the MIS department (needed help with hardware and software - MIS department still had the data
- Workers needed training

Solution to These Problems

• Create personal computer manager
• Create acquisition policies
• Create information centers
• Locate, count, and inventory personal computers
• Consider the total cost of ownership of personal computers
  

Personal Computer Manager

• Takes control of personal computers for the company (sometime called a network manager)
• Potential problem areas (-Technology overload - Data security and integrity - Computer junkies)

-Technology overload

• Users can become overwhelmed with the new hardware and software tools on the market (PC manager can provide guidance)
• Technology purchases must contribute to overall company goals (PC manager can help ensure technology is used to support goals)
  

- Data security and integrity

• Access to corporate data is a touchy issue (people are protective of "their" data
• Users may want to download data from the mainframe and use it on their computers (-Are they entitled to the data? - Will they manipulate it and distribute it? - Will they manipulate it and upload it back to the mainframe?

- Computer junkies

• People who are overly fascinated with computers (-May copy software illegally - May hack into company computers to which they do not have access - May overuse the computer and neglect their other duties

Acquisition Policies
Designed to ensure that all hardware and software are compatible

• Establish standards for hardware and software
• Restrict the vendors used
• Set standards for data communication
  

Information Center

• A place where workers can get help with software problems (Sometimes called a support center or help desk - Users can get immediate help, with little or no red tape
• Provides a variety of services
  

Information Center Services

• Software and hardware selection
• Data access
• Network access
• Training
• Technical assistance
  

Training

• Users must receive training for new technology (spending money on technology without training the users is a recipe for disaster)
• Should take several forms (-Initial Training, typically hands-on, instructor-led training in a classroom. -Follow-up support, develop home-grown experts ("gurus"), workers can consult these gurus when they have a problem
• Training delivery methods
  

Delivery Methods

• Text-based - give the users a user guide, with some exercises
• Instructor-led - classroom-based, hands-on training
• Computer-based (websites offer training on many packages - CD-ROMs offer multimedia, tutorials, frequently-ask questions, etc)

Inventory Personal Computers
Many things need to be tracked
- How many computers the organization has
- How many printers there are
- What software is on each computer (software must be properly licensed - Unauthorized software should not be on computers)
- How many remote users there are (Laptops are particularly vulnerable to theft - There must be adequate security when accessing corporate data)

Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)

• Determines the total cost of owning the computer over time (The original hardware and software costs are a small portion of the cost of ownership)
• The real costs are hard to determine (some experts estimate the annual cost of ownership is four times the original cost of the hardware
  

TCO Components
Many costs contribute to TCO
- Original hardware and software costs
- Training costs
- Information center and other support costs
- Upgrades to hardware and software
- Maintenance
- Extra hardware and software beyond the standard configuration
- The costs of communications networks