Referencing Styles : APA ASSIGNMENT QUESTION The intensive use of information technology (IT) in helping business firms/organisations to manage their information systems (IS) has boomed since the 1990s. Today, we can see that the use of IT in the management of IS has expanded rapidly. Nevertheless, there is still confusion between what is referred to as IT and IS. Explain the differences between IT and IS. Furthermore, identify the functions of IT organisation in your firm /organisation. Provide example(s) of IT organisation implementation in your firm /organisation. One of the major implementation of IT is the utilisation of the Internet. Discuss how the Internet has been used positively in supporting the implementation of IT functions in your firm /organisation. Assignment Requirement: Part 1 : Discussion on the differences between IT and IS. -660 words Refer Topic 1 – Management Information System - Book Provide In depth discussion on the differences The facts were coherent and clearly presented A convincing answer Part 2 : Identify functions of IT organisation in the firm/organisation. -660 words Refer Topic 3 – Management Information System - Book This part is based on sub-topic 3.4.3(pg63) Functions of an Information Technology Organisation in Topic 3. You need to get more information through other resources either printed or online (Google). Provide In depth discussion on the functions. The facts were coherent and clearly presented A convincing answer Discuss all IT functions Part 3 : Discussion on the example(s) of IT organisation implementation in the firm/organisation. -660 words Refer Topic 3 – Management Information System – Book - Sub-topic 3.4.4 Forms of Information Technology Organisation Implementation Provide In depth discussion on the example The facts were coherent and clearly presented A convincing answer Part 4 : Discussion on the Internet usage in supporting the implementation IT functions in the firm/organisation. -770 words Refer Topic 3 – Management Information System – Book - Sub-topic 3.5.8 Internet Usage in Business Provide In depth discussion on the Internet usage The facts were coherent and clearly presented A convincing answer ****However the explanation is only brief in the book of Management Information System , as such learners have to search for information from either printed or online resources. Before moving on, let us look into the definition of IT and IS. Information technology (IT) is a technology that contains three components, which are computers, communication, and know-how. A combination of the three components creates opportunities for people and organisations to become more productive, effective and generally successful without being separated. Information System (IS) is simply a group of activities and elements, which have been arranged to achieve a certain objective. An information system is a combination of hardware, software and telecommunication systems, which can support business operations to increase productivity and help managers make decisions. Now based on IS definition, let's look at MIS: Management Information System (MIS) is defined as a system that provides the information necessary to manage an organisation’s operation effectively. MIS is a system that has information processing capabilities that include collecting, processing, storing and disseminating data in the form of information through analytical processing and conveying information to whoever needs it. Now, these definition is from our module, if you want to use the same definitions for your assignments. Let's go back to the assignment and look at the section of the rubrics one-by-one: Part 1 Discussion on the differences between IT and IS. Basically this section needs an in depth discussion on the differences between IT (Information Technology) and IS (Information System). It would be good to start with the definition of IT and IS first (rather than immediately jumping into the differences), as it would give the reader/grader some background information. Then move on with discussion of differences between IT and IS in detail. But that's not all for this section, you may include some latest or future trends in IT and IS (but keep this part simple... just the trends explanation). As learners, you also be wondering how many differences need to be given as this section has 12 marks. To be safe 4 differences/ comparisons should be okay. However some learners may only get 3 differences, which I believe should be okay too but these 3 differences should be elaborated more widely in order to get high marks. Example explanation for this part: Differences between IT and IS (Sample subtitle) [Paragraph 1] Information technology (IT) has been defined as ............................ ........................ (definition) ....................... .................... ..................................... ............................ ........................ ........................ ....................... .................... ..................................... (Maryati et al., 2013). In many organisations IT is seen as ............................ ........................ (further elaboration) ....................... .................... ..................................... ............................ ........................ . [Paragraph 2] Maryati et al. (2013) defined Information System (IS) as ............................ ........................ (definition) ....................... .................... ..................................... ............................ ........................ ........................ ....................... .................... ..................................... (Maryati et al., 2013). Usage of IS in many business organisations enhances ............................ ........................ (further elaboration) ....................... .................... ..................................... ............................ ........................ . One of the main difference between IT and IS is, IT focuses on ............................ ........................ (comparison/ difference number 1) ....................... .................... ..................................... ............................ ........................ ........................ ....................... .................... ..................................... . Where else IS focuses on ............................ ........................ . For example many organisation will use IT .............................. ........................., however they only will consider IS .................................... (further elaboration in relation to comparison/ difference number 1) ....................... .................... ..................................... ............................ ........................ . [Next paragraph and so on .....] please explain the other differences between IT and IS. [Last Paragraph] Although there are differences between IT and IS, both are needed ............................ ........................ (future trends) ....................... .................... ..................................... ............................ ........................ ........................ ....................... .................... ..................................... . IS will definitely be needed ............................ ................... and IT will enhance this need into ....................... .................... ..................................... ............................ ........................ . Part 2 Identify functions of IT organisation in the firm/organisation. This section touches on sub-topic 3.4.3 Functions of an Information Technology Organisation in Topic 3 of our module: This section has 12 marks, which translates into: Discussion about Application System Development Management (ASDM) - 3 marks Discussion about Information System Development Management (ISDM) - 3 marks Discussion about Information Technology Infrastructure Management (ITIM) - 3 marks Discussion about User Services Administration (USA) - 3 marks Application System Development Management (ASDM) ASDM, in simple words means developing an application system or software. As according to another module CBCT2203 (which is a compulsory course for most of you), application software is used by many people to solve specific problems like providing documents, generating reports, making presentations, performing calculations and others. Basic application software's objective is to increase productivity of users by helping them to perform normal tasks. These software can be referred to as productivity packages, e.g. word processing, spreadsheet, database management, batch software, groupware software, communications and desktop accessories. Other samples of application software include Business software, Graphic and multimedia software, Home, personal and educational software and Communication software. Based on this, it can be stated that ADSM: Identify (by discussing) the application system (any application software suitable for your organisation), the functions of the application system, why you need (if you buy such as Microsoft Office) or develop (such as an in-house software specifically for your company) the application system, how your organisation plans to manage the application system (to whom to give access, how long to use, when want to upgrade/ change, etc.). Some learners are wondering, since there is this word 'development' in Application System Development Management, should they also explain about System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) which can be found in Topic 10 of our module. Example explanation of ASDM: Application System Development Management (ASDM) in [Your Organisation Name] (Sample subtitle) [Paragraph 1] Application System Development Management (ASDM) refers to ................................... (any related definition guided by the Learning Objectives in Topic 3 or the explanation that I had given about ADSM in the forum here) ........ ...................... .......................... .......................................... .................................. ................................. . ADSM is important because ............................ (relationship of ADSM towards your organisation or why ADSM is needed in your organisation) ................................... ........................ ...................... .......................... ................. ...................... ......................... .................................. ................................. . The functions of ADSM include .................................. .................. .................................... (examples of application software that can be used for your organisation) .............. ............................ .............................. ............................... . [Paragraph 2] Functions such as ......................... will be using application such as word documents ......................... and these applications are readily available in the market through various software vendors such as .................. ............................ ............................ ....................... . (Further elaborations regarding example of applications) ... ............................... ................................. ......... ................................... ........................ ...................... . Next application system that is very important is .......................... ................. ...................... ......................... . This application is needed .................................. ................................. ........................... ................. ...................... .......................... . [Paragraph 3] .... (Other related explanation which I have mentioned in a few messages above before this posting, such as how to manage the application software in your company) ............ .......... .................... ............. ..................... ................................. ........................... ................. ...................... .......................... . ............ .......... .................... ............. ..................... ................................. ........................... ................. ...................... .......................... . ............ .......... .................... ............. By managing these applications from time-to-time, the organisation can ..................... ................................. ........................... ................. ...................... .......................... . ............. ..................... ................................. ........................... ................. ...................... .......................... . Now for the other parts of this section: The next part in this section is: Information System Development Management (ISDM) For this part the explanation is as same as ADSM but this part focuses on information system and in sub-topic 3.4.3, there are already examples operating system used (e.g: Windows), network management, support (eg.: in terms of system such as Management Information System, Transaction Processing System, etc.) for company production (in case your company is not a manufacturing/production, then focus on operation or services provided by your company). Thus your explanation can be guided by the functions of the information system, why you need to develop the information system for your company, how your organisation plans to manage the information system (who will be using it, how long to use, when want to do maintenance/ upgrade/ change, etc.). Plus, your explanations can also be guided by the examples (operating system used, network management, etc.) given above. The next part would be Information Technology Infrastructure Management (ITIM) Information Technology Infrastructure Management (ITIM) This part deals with how the company manages it's support infrastructure and how the company upgrades or keeps the infrastructure up-to-date to support the current IS/IT needs. Examples of support infrastructure are given in Figure 3.1. Thus by the statement given in the figure uploaded above(or Figure 3.5 in our module) for Information Technology Infrastructure Management and based on the underlined statement that I have given here, learners can write and expand this part. The last part for this section: User Services Administration (USA) can set up a subsidiary company offering consultation or create an IT helpdesk internally in the company to help the staf Part 3 Discussion on the example(s) of IT organisation implementation in the firm/organisation This section touches on sub-topic 3.4.4 Forms of Information Technology Organisation Implementation in Topic 3 of our module: It seems that this section is 12 marks, which comes to a notion that: Internal Department represents 4 marks, Subsidiary Company represents 4 marks, Privatisation represents 4 marks. ... mean that Internal Department and Subsidiary Company need not be as long as Privatisation or Privatisation's explanation need not be limited to suit the length of the previous two support structure's (Internal Department and Subsidiary Company) explanation. Provide sufficient explanation that covers the main points of the support structure according to rubric requirements. More details can be read form those messages All the 3 parts are forms of implementing an information technology support structure in your organisation. Your organisation can either choose to implement IT support: by doing it internally (Internal Department) like having own IT Department, OR create a subsidiary company (Subsidiary Company) to support the IT needs of internal staff in the organisation as well as to sell/develop/support software or hardware for external customers, OR totally use another company or other companies (privatisation) that is/are not a subsidiary or related to your organisation, in other words outsource IT support services wholly to external companies. However for your assignment, it is not for you to choose which 3 that you want, but to explain about all 3 with examples. Internal Department The explanation for this part should start with what does Internal Department means in terms of IT support. Further explanation about this department is focused on why (reasons) the department is needed, functions of the departments, examples of the functions (perhaps 4 functions with elaborations). Most probably learners need about 4 or more structured paragraphs to explain all these. Next part of this section: Subsidiary Company The explanation for this part should start with what does Subsidiary Company means in terms of IT support. Further explanation about this company is focused on why (reasons) the company is needed, brief statement of how such company is set-up, who are the customers of the company, functions or services of the company, examples of the functions (perhaps 4 functions with elaborations). Most probably learners also need about 4 or more structured paragraphs to explain all these. Privatisation The privatisation part is about external companies known as system integrators. System integrators/ companies have been categorised into 4 as according to the forms of services that they offer: (i) Application service provider (ASP) - Your organisation can use the services of an external company to develop, support and maintain customised software which is suitable for your company such as databases, enterprise resource planning (ERP) and customer relationship management (CRM). All these might not necessarily be from the same company... the database and ERP can be from ORACLE company and the CRM software can be from any other small IT company. (ii) Business service provider (BSP) - Your organisation can use the service of such provider to develop web based software such as online payment, mobile application, etc. (iii) Internet service provider (ISP) - This kind of company (like TMNet), provides Internet connectivity packages and related services to organnisations. (iv) Wholesale service provider (WSP) _ Your organisation can use services in the form of grouped application packages that are distributed through the Internet, such as Gmail, Google Drive, One Drive, Dropbox, Office 365 for Business from the providers. Famous providers could be Google and Microsoft or there are many other small and medium IT companies who provide customised packages. Privatisation The explanation for this part should start with what does Privatisation means in terms of IT support. Other explanation about privatisation is focused why (reasons) privatisation is needed, what are the forms/types of privatisation (just list first) and other related information. Then go into detail about: ASP - What is ASP and the services provided, what are the services that your organisation can use, who is the vendors (could be famous vendors like ORACLE or small IT company or any imaginary company that you create on your own) and example situations in which the services (that you have identified above) can be used. This explanation itself might be more than 1 paragraph. How about other services? Well repeat the same structure of explanation for: BSP ISP WSP ... and now we have come to the last part Discussion on the Internet usage in supporting the implementation IT functions in the firm/organisation Some of the examples are given in sub-topic 3.5.8 Internet Usage in Business (Topic 3). So you may use the examples in the module and write suitable explanation as according to your organisation. Or may come up with your own examples or how Internet can be used in supporting the implementation IT functions in your firm/organisation. So how many points/ideas/examples should you write about for this section? Before you jump straight to the point, you may write why Internet usage is important for business organisation in one or two sentences. After the brief statement about why Internet usage is important for business organisation, you may write 4 to 7 kinds/examples of Internet usage in supporting the implementation IT functions. Off course if you are writing about 4 examples only then more effort is needed to elaborate your points. Ideally one point, elaborated into one paragraphs, thus making this part to have 4 to 7 structured paragraphs. Done!