Question 1)
(a) Information systems can be categorised by 1) the specific organizational function they serve as well as by 2) the organizational level. Explain about systems in both instances using examples to exemplify your answer.
(b) ‘Many organisations can’t measure total cost of ownership (TCO) of their technology assets as these assets have never been inventoried’. Identify the major issues which require to be considered when managing hardware and software assets in the organisation.
Question 2)
(a) ‘A company’s greatest asset is its people and the knowledge and skills they bring to workplace. Knowledge is such valuable asset, organizations try to capture and preserve that knowledge for the future’. Describe the term ‘Artificial Intelligence’ and discuss why managers would be interested in ‘Artificial Intelligence’.
(b) Though the benefits of Internet shopping include convenience and speed, many businesses believe electronic commerce offers them a more meaningful ways to reach and connect with customers. Explain with suitable examples.
Question 3)
(a) ‘Top managers (and executives) don’t have time to study and analyse large volumes of data. Instead they require an information system which will analyse data and present it in an easy and elegant manner so that they can make quick and effective decisions’. Explain the statement with suitable examples.
(b) “Mitsubishi Heavy Industries management looked for breakthroughs to lower costs and accelerate product development which would enable firm to regain world market leadership in shipbuilding. The company redesigned its whole production process to replace expensive, labour-intensive tasks with robotic machines and computer-aided design tools. Companies must identify a few core business processes to be redesigned, focusing on those with the greatest potential payback” (Davenport and Short, 1990). Using the above statement discuss the ‘Business Process Reengineering’ concept.