E Business Technology & Infrastructure

Summary

This video lecture covers the fundamentals of electronic business (e-business) technology and infrastructure. It introduces business systems, e-business systems, and the role of information systems in business operations. Key topics include ICT's importance in business, backend vs. frontend infrastructures, and various examples of business systems like ERP, CRM, and supply chain management. The lecture also explains how these systems interact with business processes and stakeholders, and outlines the significance of corporate intranets and the internet in e-business. Lastly, the use of transaction, management, and decision support systems in organizations is explored.

Takeaways

• 😀 A business system is a set of interrelated components designed to produce goods or services for customers, with inputs and outputs managed through business processes.
• 😀 An e-business system involves using online technology, tools, and equipment to conduct business via the internet, helping companies connect with customers and process orders digitally.
• 😀 Information systems (IS) are essential in businesses and are composed of people, hardware, software, communication networks, and data resources that collect, transform, and disseminate information.
• 😀 Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is the core system for large businesses, often linking to Supply Chain Management (SCM) and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems.
• 😀 ICT systems, the technical backbone of information systems, operate in layers, including interface systems, transaction subsystems, databases, and communication subsystems.
• 😀 A socio-technical system blends technology with human activity systems, where information systems play a crucial role in bridging ICT and human activities within businesses.
• 😀 Stakeholders of information systems include developers, clients, users, customers, suppliers, regulators, competitors, and partners, all of whom influence or are influenced by the system.
• 😀 Business infrastructure consists of multiple layers, such as human activity infrastructure, information systems infrastructure, and ICT infrastructure, all supporting business operations.
• 😀 The data flow diagram (DFD) is a tool used to model information systems by showing how data flows between different components, with symbols like rectangles (processes), circles (agents), and arrows (data flow).
• 😀 Front-end information systems interface with major stakeholders like customers, suppliers, and employees, while back-end systems focus on core business operations like sales, stock control, and accounting.
• 😀 Types of information systems in businesses include Transaction Processing Systems (TPS), Management Information Systems (MIS), and Decision Support Systems (DSS), each serving different levels of management and operational needs.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the lecture?

The lecture primarily focuses on electronic business technology and infrastructures, providing an overview of e-business systems, their components, and how information systems play a critical role in business operations.

How is a 'business system' defined in the lecture?

A business system is defined as a set of business components organized to produce goods or services for customers, using an organized transformation process that accepts inputs and produces outputs.

What distinguishes an 'e-business system' from a traditional business system?

An e-business system is a set of online technologies, equipment, and tools that a business uses to conduct transactions via the Internet or related technologies, helping companies connect with customers and manage digital processes.

What is the difference between an open system and a closed system?

An open system interacts with its environment, receiving and responding to inputs, while a closed system has limited or no interaction with its environment.

What are the core functions of a business system?

The core functions of a business system include the production or manufacturing processes, which are supported by functions like human resources, finance and accounting, sales and marketing, and other business functions.

Can you provide examples of information systems mentioned in the lecture?

Examples of information systems mentioned include learning management systems (like Compass), reservation systems for airlines and hotels, electronic banking (e-banking or mobile banking), and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems.

What is the role of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems in e-business?

ERP systems serve as the core of large e-business systems, integrating data from various other systems like supply chain management (SCM) and customer relationship management (CRM) systems to help businesses manage and streamline operations.

How are information and communication technology (ICT) systems structured?

ICT systems are structured into various subsystems, including interface systems, rule-based systems, transaction subsystems, database management subsystems, and communication subsystems, all playing roles in managing and processing data.

What is a socio-technical system?

A socio-technical system is one where technology is integrated into a system of human activities. Information systems and e-business operate within these systems, bridging the gap between ICT and human activities by processing data into useful information.

What is the difference between backend and frontend information system infrastructures?

Backend information system infrastructures are complex and support core business operations like sales and accounting. In contrast, frontend infrastructures are simpler and directly interface with stakeholders such as customers, suppliers, and employees to support activities like communication and data presentation.