Chapter 7 Integration of Information

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• Chapter 7 Integration of Information

• I. Integration of information in business systems
• 1. What Is Meant by the Concept of Integrating
  information in business?
• Hardware platforms, software platforms,
  applications, versions, and networks.
• Companies were divided into separate departments
  and managed independently.
• Company is now integrating data for workers to
  share data across departments and to have a big
  picture about business.
• What if information is not integrated?
• Error
• Miss the best decision

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• 2. Evolution of integrated information systems
• Functional areas of business and
  transaction-processing systems.
• Difference between a business function and a
  business process business process involves
  several functional areas and functions within
  those areas.
• Integrated information systems are information
  systems that are designed to share accurate and
  timely data across functional areas. Sharing data
  effectively and efficiently leads to more
  efficient business processes.
• Roots of ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning
  System)
• MRP (materials requirements planning) Plan
  production and raw materials by working backward
  from the sales forecast. 1960s-70s
• EDI (avoid cost and delays resulting from paper
  purchase order and invoice systems)
• MRP II (MRP becomes a company game for various
  functional areas) 1980s
• ERP (an extension of MRP II) hardware,
  software, and vision of integrated information
  systems.

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• II. Enterprise Recourse Planning (ERP)
• The primary method for ERP systems to integrate
  data is the use of a database with consistent
  data definitions.
• Features and Capabilities of ERP (IBM 1972)
• A standard software that integrates business
  functions such as accounting, human resources,
  purchasing/logistics, sales, production planning,
  and so forth.
• Data to be processed interactively and to be
  available in real time.
• Work with data on a computer screen, and not with
  printed output.

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• III. Integrating information through networking
• 1. What role is played by networks in integrating
  information in business?
• The means to share data and to integrate
  information across the entire company or even the
  entire world (Internet).
• The World Wide Web (WWW) technology has been
  integrated into new operating systems and
  application software. Therefor, it is easier to
  share data through Web sites with users inside
  and outside the company.
• Example In PowerPoint, Save as HTML command
  under File menu.

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• 2. What are problems with sharing information and
  solutions?
• Different version of software - conversion tools
• Different font, displays, sound cards, and video
  driver - adjustment and conversion tools.
• Access and network paths switches for speed.
• Transmission time - data compression and
  broadband for speed.
• Concurrency problem - tracking multiple changes
  and lock out users.

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• 3. Groupware and Tools for Teamwork
• Networks
• Conferencing systems
• Collaboration tools (tracking changes, linked
  documents)
• Coordination systems
• GDSS is a type of DSS that integrates
• Groupware (email, conferencing systems,
  collaborative authoring systems, coordination
  systems)
• DSS capability
• telecommunications

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• IV. Data Warehouse
• It contains copies of transaction data rather
  than the original transaction
• Transactional data from a variety of sources is
  specifically formatted
• Transactional data is specifically structured to
  facilitate the formation of queries and further
  analysis
• A data warehouse can be normalized or
  denormalized
• The purpose of the data warehouse is query,
  analysis, and reporting
• Making decision vs. post-decision monitoring
• (Marakas, G.M. 2003, Modern Data Warehousing,
  Mining, and Visualization)