Attempt all the problems.
Section-A
problem1) People are usually not comfortable adapting to new technologies and systems. In light of this statement, what wouldbe your recommendation to ease and quicken adoption of a new computerized IS in the organization whose executives have never worked on a computer earlier? Support your recommendations with the description of the benefits each of them is expected to provide.
problem2)a) What are the steps involved in design and development of an information system? Describe each step in detail.
b) What are the pros and cons of developing an information system in-house as compared to customizing a similar system procured from market?
problem3) What do you mean by an information system? How many types of information systems are used at different levels of an organization? Describe in detail.
problem4) How could information technology support a company’s business operations & decision making, and give them competitive advantage? Elaborate with appropriate exs
Section-B
Case Study
Microsoft, whose fortune has been built around computer operating system, is gaining influence on how things get down in hospital operating rooms by hiring doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals in the effort to establish internal expertise about the medical industry’s IT needs. Microsoft has customized sales & support teams for industry segment in the past. Now Microsoft is expanding number of industries it targets, injecting industry-specific codes directly into its core software platforms & hiring business technology professionals steeped in the sector at which it’s aiming. CEO describes a two-pronged of selling customizable applications directly to small & medium-sized companies via Microsoft’s business solution division, while serving larger companies through partnership with other technology companies.
Microsoft engineers are creating soft-ware add-ons, called accelerators, aimed at business processes common to companies in the given industry. And Microsoft Business Solutions has begun inserting what it calls “Industry-enabling layers”-software which serves the requirements of broad base companies in the particular sector-into its enterprise application. Microsoft has the major edge in extending its strategy: Call it Microsoft Foot in the Door advantage. Cooper Tier & Rubber Co., a 90 years-old maker of aftermarket tires, for designing & building new products, it assessed software from PLM specialist, custom software and Microsoft. Cooper Tire choose a Microsoft approach, using company’s Share Point portal software, Project project-management application & Visio diagramming program
Another industry in which Microsoft has well-established customers is retail-it estimates 70% of the computing infrastructure in stores runs on Microsoft software.
Microsoft is moving quickly, expanding industry-specific sales & support teams, developing application accelerators & industry-enabling layers, & seeking more partnership with vendors that have deep industry roots. Big problem for Microsoft is whether customer’s familiarity breeds comfort-or contempt.
problems:
a) How successful would Microsoft be in competing with software vendors who specialize in vertical market?
b) Do you agree with Microsoft strategy to develop industry-specific partners to capitalize on opportunities in both large & small business sectors? Is there an advantage or a disadvantage to being one of Microsoft’s partners in this type of relationship? Describe.