Business Information Systems

Description

Overview: Business information systems (BIS) are used to support all aspects of the knowledge workers; therefore all changes in organisational processes also mean changes in the BIS. As most of the work of business analysts result in changes in the organisational processes, business analysts should be familiar with BIS at least on conceptual level. Furthermore, many consulting projects are explicitly aimed at the BIS which requires understanding of the basic types of information systems (IS), what they are appropriate for, what we cannot expect from them, how to use them together. Specifically Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems are today part of the everyday life of most knowledge workers and thus a business analyst needs a thorough understanding of them. The class adopts a process-based approach; i.e. all discussion follows the logic of the business processes. After having the business and IS context of the knowledge work introduced, the various types of IS, namely the databases, ERP systems, knowledge-based systems, corporate portals, collaboration support systems. The course will provide the students with conceptual knowledge introduced in the lectures, as well as hands-on experience gained in tutorials using appropriate packages of the various IS categories. Syllabus: Lectures Business and IS context of BIS Business processes – IS processes Organisational databases Introducing ERP systems ERP systems for production planning ERP systems for management accounting ERP systems for logistics Knowledge-based expert systems Collaboration support systems Corporate portals Learning Outcomes: The aim of the class is to provide students with understanding of the business and IS context of BIS as well as with understanding of the different types of IS in sufficient depth to recognise what type of IS fits a particular problem/decision situation as well as to realistically see what can and what cannot be expected from a particular IS. Additionally, the students should get familiar with the language and approach of IS which will enable them to communicate with people making and using IS (especially ERP). 1. subject specific knowledge and skills Understanding the business and IS context of BIS. Conceptual knowledge of the introduced IS types. Ability to recognise what type of IS is needed for a particular problem/decision situation. Basic skills in mapping business processes. Some experience using various software packages; more substantial experience using ERP. 2. cognitive abilities and non-subject specific skills Looking at the big picture in order to see the whole entity rather than a part. Thinking in pictures rather than words. Teamworking and individual working skills. Data collection, processing and presenting skills. Assessment: There are two components of the assessment. A group assignment (60%) which will critique the use of advanced information systems in organisations, and a class test (40%). Reassessment The same type of assessment and same weighting as the original submission will apply for the resit for this module. Students are required to retake the failed component(s). Existing marks for passed components will be retained, and the new resit mark will be combined to calculate the overall result. If it is not possible to retake a failed component, e.g. if the assessment was group work, the student will be set an alternative individual assessment.