IST 305 Assignment 5 The following questions are based on chapter 5 of Managemen

Question

IST 305

Assignment 5

The following questions are based on chapter 5 of Management Information Systems, 14th Edition.

5-1 Examine the case entitled “Portugal Telecom Offers IT Infrastructure for Sale” on pages 167-168.

· How does information technology help Portugal Telecom solve its own business problems?

· How does PT use technology to help other companies solve their business problems?

· What steps has PT taken to increase the energy efficiency of its Covilha facility?

5-2 What are the components of IT infrastructure?

· List and describe the seven components of IT infrastructure that firms need to manage.

· Name three major suppliers whose products are sold in two or more of these categories.

5-3 Wearable computing such as smartwatches, smartglasses, smart ID badges, activity trackers, etc.

have been gaining popularity in recent years. Describe a wearable technology item that you either have

and use or would like to own and use, and tell how it has changed the way you live, work or play, or how

you would expect it to change your life if you had that technology. You may speculate on an unreleased

technology that is close to market if you know one, but don’t go too far into the realm of science fiction.

5-4 Consider the Interactive Session entitled “Is it Time for Cloud Computing?” on pages 191-192.

· List and describe the types of services that cloud computing services provide.

· List and explain several problems that cloud computing services solve.

· What are some of the disadvantages of using cloud computing services?

· How can you, as an IT professional, overcome some of those shortcomings of cloud computing?

Explanation / Answer

5-2
IT infrastructure
• IT infrastructure consists of the shared resources that provide the platform for the firm’s specific information system applications.
• The resources include hardware, software, and services that are shared throughout the whole firm.
• These resources include computer hardware platforms, operating system platforms, networking platforms, database management software, Internet platforms, etc.
• IT infrastructure consists of the features that serve a firm’s customers, works with outside vendors, manages the firm’s business model, etc.
• IT infrastructure can be made up of human and technical capabilities.

Components of IT infrastructure
• Computing platforms
• Telecommunications services
• Data management services
• Application software services
• Physical facilities management services
• IT management services
• IT standards services
• IT education services
• IT research and development services

Computing platforms:
• Provide computing services that connect employees, customers, and suppliers into one cohesive digital environment
• Includes but not limited to, large mainframes, midrange computers, desktop and laptop computers, smartphones, tablets, other mobile handheld devices.

Telecommunications services:
• Provide data, voice, and video connectivity
• This is available to employees, customers, and suppliers

Data management services:
• Store and manage corporate data
• Provide capabilities for analyzing the data

Application software services:
• Provide capabilities such as enterprise resource planning, customer relationship management, supply chain management, and knowledge management systems
• These capabilities are provided throughout the whole enterprise
• These capabilities are also shared by all business units

Physical facilities management services:
• Develop and manage the physical installations
• These are required for computing, telecommunications, and data management services

IT management services:
• Plan and develop the infrastructure
• Coordinate with the business units for IT services
• Manage accounting for the IT expenditure
• Provide project management services

IT standards services:
• Provide the firm and its business units with policies
• These policies determine which information technology will be used, when, and how

IT education services:
• Employees are trained in system use.
• Offer managers training in how to plan for and manage IT investments

IT research and development services:

• Provide the firm with research on potential future IT projects and investments
• This information can help the firm gain an advantage that will make them stand out in the marketplace

5.4

Cloud computing:

Cloud computing is a model of computing that provides access to a shared pool of computing resources such as computers, storage, applications, and services. This is usually available over a network, most commonly the Internet.

• Allows firms and individuals to obtain computer processing, storage, software, and other services over a network such as the Internet.
• This eliminates the need to purchase additional hardware and software.
• Anyone who has access to these cloud networks can obtain the information over a Web browser or on a mobile handheld device.
• A public cloud is maintained by an external service provider and is accessible over the Internet by the general public.
• A private cloud is a proprietary network or a data center that consists of servers, storage, networks, data, and other applications.
• Private clouds are usually shared by users within a company.

Advantages:
• Cloud computing provides users with easy accessibility. The resources are readily available at any location from any connected device such as a laptop or mobile platform.
• On-demand self-service allows users to access the computing resources on their own.
• Multiple users can access the cloud resources at once.
• The flexibility of cloud computing allows changes to be made quickly in order to meet the demands of the user.
• Cloud computing implements charges based on amount of use by the user. Companies don’t have to worry about overpaying for such a platform rather they pay for what they actually use.

Disadvantages:

• Cloud computing can lead to expensive costs if a company overuses platform then they will pay a lot more compared to a fixed price payment.
• Data storage and control is placed in the hands of the provider. If something goes wrong with the provider then the customer’s information can potentially be lost.
• Security is an issue because the provider works with other companies. A company has to trust that their information is kept safe from their rival company even if that rival company has the same provider.
• Dependency is also an issue because over time employees of a company may rely too much on the provider. A user might be accustomed to placing a lot of information in a cloud network and will become unsatisfied if something goes wrong on the provider’s end.

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