MB303 Management Information System Question Bank

Module: 1
Q-1 Interdependence between organization and Information System
The Interdependence Between Organizations and Information Systems

1.Operational Excellence
• Improved efficiency results in higher profits
• Information systems and technologies help improve efficiency and productivity
• Example: Walmart
– Power of combining information systems and best business practices to achieve operational
efficiency—and over $573 billion ($ 57,300 Crores) in sales in 2022
– Most efficient retail store in world as result of digital links between suppliers and stores

2. New Products, Services, and Business Models

• Information systems and technologies enable firms to create new products, services, and business
models
• Business model: how a company produces, delivers, and sells its products and services .Can
you imagine yourself working in this kind of business tomorrow?
• Example: Drone Technology
• Example: Employee Attendance Face Recognition (AI)
• Example: IOT Devices (on/off water pump in farming)
•
3. Customer and Supplier Intimacy
Which is the largest food company in India?
Annual Revenue over Rs. 72,000 Crores !
• Amul Uses MIS & IT for
Building an intimate relationship with its suppliers (village milk producers) with prompt
payments & transparent milk collection system!
Building an intimate relationships with consumers by giving consistently high quality milk &
milk products at affordable prices and round the clock availability, across the country!
4. Improved Decision Making
In the business world, making the right decisions can make all the difference! For this reason,
businesses must make sure to perform due diligence each time they embark upon a possible
initiative like a big purchase or big investment of their money.
All of this effort to make the right decision can result in significant information costs.
Information costs are expenditures of time and money that are required to get the
information, which should be as accurate, relevant, current, complete and economical as
possible!
Without such information above, Managers may have to use thumb-rule forecasts, employee
opinions or simply guess work to take a decision which may result in under/over production,
misallocation of resources and poor response times and ultimately losses!
• Poor outcomes/results often arise out of bad decisions maybe due to faulty data or
information, which raises costs and loses customers!
• Real-time data improves ability of managers to make proper decisions quickly and serve
customers on time!
• Example: Web-based digital dashboard which displays status or health of IoT devices (SIM
inserted for internet) connected to assets, such as pipelines, pumps, street lightings, etc) may
provide managers of housing complexes, with real-time data on resident/consumer complaints!
5. Competitive advantage

• Advantages over competitors e.g. Amul collects huge quantity of fresh milk everyday (260
Lakh Litre/day) from its village level milk suppliers and makes good taste, fresh quality of milk
and milk products for its consumers at an affordable cost!
• Amul knows how to use MIS/DSS/EIS to get business insights, make strategic planning ,
smoothen the business process, add value for its stakeholders and organization/company!
• Strategy is a general plan to achieve one or more long-term or overall goals under conditions
of uncertainty.
• Business strategic planning or Business Startegy creates
• 1 Value for its Stakeholders & organization
• 2 Competitive advantage for the organization in an uncertain environment!
• Value is the monetary, material, or assessed worth of an asset, good, or service. Like increased
turnover/profit for the organisation, accepting supplies at all times & paying prompt prices
to suppliers, charging affordable prices, giving consistent quality, timely availability of
products to consumers !
6. Survival

• Businesses may need to invest in information systems out of necessity; simply the cost of doing
business!
• Govt. insists upon sending quarterly income tax return using internet. All business need to
comply!
• Govt. requires paying toll-tax on highways compulsorily through Fast Tag on vehicles!
• Your local grocery shop displays UPI QR Code for accepting payment digitally from
consumers! It may lose customers if it does not give this facility as its competitors are providing
the same!

Q-2 Information System and Dimensions of Information System

• Information technology: the hardware and software a business uses to achieve objectives
• Information system: interrelated components that manage information to:
– Support decision making and control
– Help with analysis, visualization, and product creation
• Data: Streams of Raw/ Atomic facts (mostly transaction data of business processes from TPS)
e.g. Amount spent on Milk on 1.1.2001 was Rs. 20.00
• Information: Data shaped/grouped into meaningful and useful form e.g. What was Total
monthly spend on Milk in January, 2001? What was the percentage of monthly income spent
on milk ?
Knowledge: Analysis of all relevant information e.g. Why are the total monthly expenses on
Milk and Vegetables more or less same in this household? Are children more in this household.
Information answers the questions of WHO, WHEN, WHAT & WHERE,
Knowledge answers the questions of WHY & HOW?

What Is an Information System?

• Activities in an information system that produce information:
– Input
– Processing
– Output
– Feedback
– Sharp distinction between computer or computer program versus information system e.g.
While calculating we used excel program or calculator , it was NOT the information system!
Dimensions of Information Systems
• Control Using Information Systems
1. Executive Support System (ESS) or Executive Information System (EIS) serve top
management (Chairman/BOD/MD). They are designed to draw summarized information from
internal MIS and DSS. They filter, compress, and track critical data, displaying the data of
greatest importance to senior managers. Increasingly, such systems include business
intelligence analytics for analyzing trends, forecasting, and “drilling down” to data at
greater levels of detail. It also incorporates data about external events, such as new tax laws or
what the competitors pricing strategies are!
2. Decision Support Systems (DSS) support non-routine
decision making for use by Senior Management. They focus on problems that are unique and
rapidly changing, for which the procedure for arriving at a solution may not be fully predefined
in advance

3. Management Information System (MIS) support typically the Middle Management

primarily interested in weekly, monthly, and yearly results. These systems typically provide
answers to routine questions that have been specified in advance and have a predefined procedure
for answering them. These systems generally are not flexible and have little analytical capability.
Most MIS use simple routines, such as summaries and comparisons
4. Transaction Processing System (TPS) serves Operational Management . It is a computerized
system that performs and records the daily routine transactions necessary to conduct business,
such as sales order entry, hotel reservations, payroll, employee record keeping, and shipping. It
answers routine questions and helps us to track the flow of transactions through the
organization. To answer these kinds of questions, information generally must be easily
available, current, and accurate.
• Hierarchy of authority & responsibility in a typical business organization:

Top Management

Chairman / MD / BOD

1) Organizations
Separation of business functions
o Sales and marketing
o Human resources
o Finance and accounting
o Manufacturing and production
▪ Unique business processes
▪ Unique business culture “Every Business is different”
▪ Organizational politics among stakeholders!

2. Management
What are the various information systems/tools used by managers for various business
functions?
a) Business Intelligence (BI) tools and Business Analytics (BA) are used in Decision Support &
Decision Making as part of strategic control by senior managers and top management of
the organization.
b) Project Management Information Systems (PMIS) are used for managerial control of any
project to check that the project is completed within given time & cost.
c) Supplier Chain Management (SCM) & Supplier Network information systems helps
managers to manage their suppliers and enhance supplier intimacy
d) Customer Relationship Management (CRM) information system helps them to enhance
customer intimacy
e) Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) helps to manage their internal resources effectively
and co-ordinate across various departments managing these resources e.g. manpower,
assets, time
f) Geographical Information Systems (GIS) helps them to observe and get the information of
events in various locations using digital maps
g) Collaborative/Team information software helps them to work with various internal &
external teams which are remotely connected.
3. Technology
• Computer hardware and software
• Data management technology
• Networking and telecommunications technology
– Networks, the Internet, intranets and extranets, World Wide Web
• I T infrastructure: provides platform upon which the Information System is built !

Question :3 Approaches of Information System

1. Technical Approach to IS
o Emphasizes mathematically based models!
o Computer science, Management Science,Operations Research
• Example –
• MD : “Let us solve strategic problems using DSS which uses Artifical Intelligence & Machine
Learning!”
• IT Head: “We need high speed processing machines with Terabytes of memory!”
• MIS Head : “We now have a robust sales prediction software model – you just enter the data
for last 24 months and you will get the result immediately !”
2. Social or Behavioral Approach
• Behavioral issues (strategic business integration, implementation, etc.)
• Psychology, economics, sociology

• Example:
• MIS & IT Employees: “We have not got promotions in the last 5 years and you are increasing
our workload by bringing new MIS/IT !”
• Sales Manager: “We are sales people who go to market everyday and not like our MIS Manager
who sits in office the whole day! There is no need to use DSS, we can give you the sales
prediction right now!”
• Data Entry Operator: “This MIS/IT software is not useful , it takes a lot of time in entering
data!”

Question : 4 Sociotechnical perspective of MIS

• Sociotechnical view
– Optimal organizational performance achieved by jointly optimizing both social
and technical systems used in production
– Helps avoid purely technological approach!
1. Every organization has a social aspect, which pertains to the workers, their
social relations, and the overall quality of their work experiences. Every
organization is subject to the social dynamics of its workers.
2. The technical aspect and the social aspect are inseparable because workers
who have social experiences must use technologies and other technicalities in
their jobs.
3. The sociotechnical systems perspective addresses the gap between the
technical aspect and the social aspect. These aspects are combined to form
the sociotechnical system. In viewing the two aspects as interrelated, human
resources and their social relations are the primary determinants of how
techniques, methods, and technologies are used in the workplace.
4. In effect, the sociotechnical systems theory creates a single and integrated
approach that applies to both aspects at the same time.
Module: 2
Question: 1 Detailed note on IOT
Introduction to IoT
The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to a network of interconnected physical devices
embedded with sensors, software, and other technologies that enable them to collect and
exchange data over the internet. The primary goal of IoT is to enhance efficiency,
automate processes, and create intelligent systems that respond to real-time data.
Key Components of IoT
1. Devices (Things): Physical objects equipped with sensors, actuators, and connectivity
capabilities (e.g., smart thermostats, wearable devices).
2. Connectivity: Methods of communication like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, or cellular
networks enable data exchange between devices.
3. Sensors: Components that collect real-time data (e.g., temperature, motion, or humidity
sensors).
4. Data Processing: Centralized or decentralized systems analyze collected data and
derive actionable insights.
5. User Interface (UI): Interfaces through which users interact with IoT systems (e.g.,
mobile apps or web dashboards).
Applications of IoT
1. Smart Homes: IoT devices like smart speakers (e.g., Amazon Echo, Google Nest),
smart lighting, and connected security systems enhance convenience and security.
2. Healthcare: Wearable devices monitor health metrics like heart rate and blood
pressure, aiding real-time health monitoring and telemedicine.
3. Industrial IoT (IIoT): IoT drives automation in manufacturing, predictive
maintenance, and supply chain optimization.
4. Smart Cities: IoT supports traffic management, waste management, energy
conservation, and public safety initiatives.
5. Agriculture: Smart irrigation systems, soil sensors, and drones optimize crop
management and reduce water usage.
6. Retail: IoT-enabled inventory tracking, smart shelves, and personalized customer
experiences improve operational efficiency.

Benefits of IoT
1. Enhanced Efficiency: Automation reduces manual interventions and operational costs.
2. Real-Time Data Analytics: Informed decision-making through data-driven insights.
3. Cost Reduction: Predictive maintenance minimizes equipment downtime.
4. Improved Quality of Life: Smart devices simplify everyday tasks and enhance
convenience.
Challenges in IoT Adoption
1. Data Privacy and Security: Risks of unauthorized access to sensitive information.
2. Interoperability Issues: Diverse IoT devices often lack standardization, complicating
integration.
3. High Initial Costs: Developing and deploying IoT solutions can be expensive.
4. Scalability Concerns: Managing and analyzing data from a growing number of
devices is complex.
Current Market Statistics and Trends (2024)
1. Market Size: The global IoT market is projected to reach $1.1 trillion by 2025,
growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.6% from 2020.
2. Connected Devices: According to Statista, there were over 15 billion IoT-connected
devices globally in 2023, with projections exceeding 29 billion by 2030.
3. Major Players: Key companies include Amazon (AWS IoT), Microsoft (Azure IoT),
Google (Google Cloud IoT), and Cisco.
4. Adoption in Industry: Manufacturing remains the largest IoT-adopting sector,
followed by healthcare and retail.
5. Sustainability Focus: Smart IoT applications are increasingly used for energy
conservation, reducing carbon footprints, and enabling a circular economy.

Question:2 What is the importance of Operating System? Why is IT infrastructure

important in today's business environment
Operating System Platforms (Software)
• Server Software
– Windows Server
– Unix
– Linux
• Client level Software
– Microsoft Windows
– Android, i O S, Windows 10 (mobile/multitouch)
– Google’s Chrome O S (cloud computing)
 The Operating System (OS) is crucial for managing and coordinating the functionality
of a computer system. Here's why it is essential:
Importance of Operating System
1. Resource Management
The OS manages computer resources, including the CPU, memory, disk space, and
input/output devices. It ensures these resources are efficiently allocated and used.
2. User Interface
The OS provides an interface (e.g., graphical or command-line) that allows users to
interact with the computer easily.
3. Application Support
It acts as a platform for running various software applications, ensuring they operate
correctly and can communicate with hardware.
4. File System Management
The OS organizes and manages files on storage devices, providing features like
directories, access control, and file security.
5. Multitasking and Multiprocessing
Operating systems allow multiple tasks to run simultaneously, enhancing productivity.
Multiprocessing capabilities enable the execution of multiple processes on different
CPU cores.
6. Security and Access Control
The OS enforces security policies to protect data from unauthorized access, malware,
and other threats.
7. Hardware Abstraction
It abstracts hardware complexities, enabling software developers to interact with
hardware through standard interfaces without needing detailed knowledge of the
hardware.
 8. Networking Capabilities
The OS enables communication between devices through network protocols, supporting
internet connectivity and data sharing.
9. Error Handling and Recovery
It detects hardware and software errors, providing mechanisms to recover and minimize
the impact on the system.
10. System Performance Monitoring
The OS monitors system performance and provides diagnostic tools to troubleshoot
issues, ensuring optimal performance.
Defining I T Infrastructure
• Set of physical devices/hardware and software required to operate an organization
• Set of company-wide services including:
– Computing platforms providing computing services
– Physical facilities management services
– I T management, education, and other services
• “Service platform” perspective
– More accurate view of value of investments a new PC or tablet might save an
employee one hour per day in wait time for information, dramatically
increasing his or her value to the firm.
Components of I T Infrastructure?
(Sa-re-ga-ma-pa-dha-ni of IT!)
• Computer hardware platforms
• Operating system platforms
• Enterprise software applications
• Data management and storage
• Networking/telecommunications platforms
• Internet platforms
• Consulting system integration services

IT infrastructure refers to the collection of hardware, software, networks, data centers, and
other technology resources that support an organization’s IT-enabled operations. Here’s
why it is vital in today’s business context:

• 1. Foundation for Business Operations

• IT infrastructure is the backbone of all modern business operations, ensuring seamless
workflows, efficient communication, and robust transaction processing. Businesses
heavily depend on reliable IT systems to maintain operations and support day-to-day
activities.
• 2. Enhanced Efficiency and Productivity
• Automated processes, real-time data processing, and efficient resource management—
enabled by IT infrastructure—reduce manual workloads and errors, boosting overall
productivity.
• 3. Scalability and Agility
• With flexible IT solutions, businesses can scale operations to match growth. Cloud
computing and software-defined networks, for instance, allow rapid expansion and
adjustment to changing demands without significant capital investment.
• 4. Support for Digital Transformation
• IT infrastructure enables the adoption of digital technologies like Artificial Intelligence
(AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and Big Data analytics. It empowers businesses to
innovate and transform traditional processes to align with modern digital trends.
• 5. Data Management and Decision-Making
• Effective IT systems facilitate the collection, storage, and analysis of vast amounts of
data. This data-driven decision-making ensures competitive advantage through accurate
forecasting, customer insight, and market analysis.
• 6. Enhanced Customer Experience
• Businesses leverage IT tools, such as CRM software and AI-powered chatbots, to
provide personalized and efficient customer interactions, ensuring higher satisfaction
and loyalty.
• 7. Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery
• A resilient IT infrastructure minimizes downtime through backup systems, redundancy,
and disaster recovery solutions. This ensures continuity during unforeseen events,
safeguarding business operations and reputation.
• 8. Global Connectivity and Collaboration
• Robust IT networks enable teams to work across geographies, supporting remote work,
virtual meetings, and collaboration in real-time, thus fostering global business
expansion.
• 9. Cost Efficiency
• Cloud computing and virtualization reduce the need for extensive on-premise hardware,
leading to lower operational costs. Efficient IT systems also help businesses optimize
resource use and reduce waste.
• 10. Security and Compliance
• Strong IT infrastructure ensures compliance with regulatory requirements, protects
sensitive information, and mitigates risks from cyber threats. Businesses need robust IT
security protocols to maintain trust and prevent financial losses.
Question:3 What is the difference between DBMS & RDBMS?

Question: 4 What is the difference between Database and DBMS?

Difference between Database and DBMS:

Category Database DBMS

A database management
A database is a collection of connected system (DBMS) is a
Definition information about people, locations, or collection of programs that
things allow you to create, manage,
and operate a database.

Besides computers, databases can even

In a database management
Storage be maintained in physical ledgers,
system (DBMS), all the
books, or papers.
Category Database DBMS

records are maintained only

on a computer.

The retrieval of information from the We can retrieve the data from
databases can be done manually, the database management
Data Retrieval
through queries, or by using programs system through queries
(C, C++, Java, etc.). written in SQL.

As a computer system is
As databases can be handled manually
involved in a database
or via computers, when SQL is not
Speed management system, the
used to retrieve information, it can be
retrieval of information is
very slow.
very quick.

The databases are not designed for a

The database management
large number of people who can access
system is designed for a large
data at the same time, rather it is
Access number of people who can
designed for a very small number of
access the data at the same
people (preferably few people) who
time.
access data at different times.

A database management
Data Data is stored in databases. system (DBMS) manages and
manipulates data.

In the database management

system (DBMS), a lot of
Data In the case of the databases, very less information can be changed at
Manipulation information can be modified at a time. one time (as it can have many
users using it at the same
time)
Category Database DBMS

The database management

The databases do not ensure that the system (DBMS) ensures that
Backup and
data will be available after failure the data will always be
Recovery
arises. available even after system
failures.

Question:5 Benefits in adopting cloud computing/technology

In cloud computing, hardware and software capabilities are a pool of virtualized resources
provided over a network, often the Internet. Businesses and employees have access to
applications and IT infrastructure anywhere, at any time, and on any device.
This depicts the components of cloud computing. Computing devices that include servers,
desktops, laptops, tablet computers, and i Phones are situated around a central, cloud. Within
the cloud are the following.
PLATFORM AS A SERVICE (PaaS) : includes block storage, communication networks,
identity management, and content servers.
SOFTWARE AS A SERVICE (SaaS): includes content management, enterprise software,
collaboration environments, and process management.
INFRASTRUCTURE AS A SERVICE(IaaS): includes computing resource management,
network management, and storage management.
DATABASE AS A SERVICE (DaaS): includes Database softwares as well database hardware
servers

The Top 13 Benefits of Cloud Computing

Here’s a list of key benefits an enterprise can expect to achieve when adopting cloud
infrastructure.
1. High Speed – Quick Deployment
The ability to spin up new cloud computing instances in a matter of seconds reshaped the
agility and speed of software development. Developers can easily test new ideas and design
application architecture without the dependency on on-site hardware limitations or slow
procurement processes.
2. Automatic Software Updates and Integration
Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery rely on the fact that new software versions
can be easily tested and deployed in the cloud environment, which allows for higher velocity of
product innovation, releasing more and more features to the end-users on a monthly, weekly
and in some cases even daily basis. Cloud environments also integrates with common DevOps
tools and logging systems which makes it easier to monitor and detect issues in production.
3. Efficiency and Cost Reduction
By using cloud infrastructure, you don’t have to spend huge amounts of money on purchasing
and maintaining equipment. This drastically reduces CAPEX costs and Total Cost of
Ownership (TCO). You don’t have to invest in hardware, facilities, utilities, or building out a
large data center to grow your business. You do not even need large IT teams to handle your
cloud data center operations, as you can enjoy the expertise of your cloud provider’s staff.
Cloud also reduces costs related to downtime. Since downtime is rare in cloud systems, this
means you don’t have to spend time and money on fixing potential issues related to downtime.
4. Data Security
One of the major concerns of every business, regardless of size and industry, is the security of
its data. Data breaches and other cybercrimes can devastate a company’s revenue, customer
loyalty and brand positioning.
Cloud offers many advanced security features that guarantee that data is securely stored and
handled. Features like granular permissions and access management via federated roles can
restrict access to sensitive data only to the employees that need access to it, and by that
reducing the attack surface for malicious actors.
Cloud storage providers implement baseline protections for their platforms and the data they
process, such as authentication, access control, and encryption. From there, most enterprises
supplement these protections with added security measures of their own to bolster cloud data
protection and tighten access to sensitive information in the cloud.
5. Scalability
Different companies have different IT needs — a large enterprise of 1000+ employees won’t
have the same IT requirements as a start-up. Using the cloud is a great solution because it
enables enterprises to efficiently — and quickly — scale up/down their IT departments,
according to business demands.
Cloud-based solutions are ideal for businesses with growing or fluctuating bandwidth demands.
If your business demands increase, you can easily increase your cloud capacity without having
to invest in physical infrastructure. This level of agility can give businesses using cloud
computing a real advantage over competitors.
This scalability minimizes the risks associated with in-house operational issues and
maintenance. You have high-performance resources at your disposal with professional
solutions and zero up-front investment. Scalability is probably the greatest advantage of the
cloud.

6. Collaboration
Cloud environments enables better collaboration across teams: developers, QA, operations,
security and product architects are all exposed to the same infrastructure and can operate
simultaniously without stepping on each other toes. Cloud roles and permissions help with
better visibility and monitoring on who did what and when, to avoid conflicts and confusion.
Different cloud environments can be built for specific purposes like staging, QA, demo or pre-
production. It’s much easier to collaborate in a transparent manner and the cloud encourages it.
7. Unlimited Storage Capacity
Related to the scalability benefit above, the cloud has essencially unlimited capacity to store
any type of data in various cloud data storage types, depending on the availability, performance
and frequency the data has to be accessed. The rule of thumb is that the cost of storage goes up
according to the levels of availability of the data, performance and access frequency. Creating
and optimizing the cloud cost stucture policy can reduce the cost of cloud storage significantly
while maintaining the company’s business goals related to data storage in the cloud.
8. Back-up and Restore Data
The fact that data can be stored in the cloud without capacity constrains also helps with backup
and restore purposes. As end-users data changes over time and needs to be tracked for
regulations or compliance reasons, older software versions can be stored for later stages, in
cases they would be needed for recovery or rollback.
9. Disaster Recovery
Having previous versions of software stored in the cloud, and having production instances
running on multiple cloud availability zones or regions allow for faster recovery from disasters:
if your application is deployed on multiple locations and for some reason one region goes
down – the traffic can automatically failover to the working regions without any interruptions
to the end-users. In other cases where there is a major bug in the software release, a quick
rollback can be initiated to restore a previously released, more stable version to minimize
damage.
10. Mobility
Cloud computing allows mobile access to corporate data via smartphones and devices, which is
a great way to ensure that no one is ever left out of the loop. Staff with busy schedules, or who
live a long way away from the corporate office, can use this feature to keep instantly up-to-date
with clients and coworkers.
Resources in the cloud can be easily stored, retrieved, recovered, or processed with just a
couple of clicks. Users can get access to their works on-the-go, 24/7, via any devices of their
choice, in any corner of the world as long as you stay connected to the internet. On top of that,
all the upgrades and updates are done automatically, off-sight by the service providers. This
saves time and team effort in maintaining the systems, tremendously reducing the IT team
workloads.
11. Data Loss Prevention
Data loss is a major concern for all organizations, along with data security. Storing your data in
the cloud guarantees that data is always available, even if your equipment like laptops or PCs,
is damaged. Cloud-based services provide quick data recovery for all kinds of emergency
scenarios – from natural disasters to power outages.
Cloud infrastructure can also help you with loss prevention. If you rely on a traditional on-
premises approach, all your data will be stored locally, on office computers. Despite your best
efforts, computers can malfunction for various reasons — from malware and viruses to age-
related hardware deterioration, to simple user error.
But, if you upload your data to the cloud, it remains accessible for any computer with an
internet connection, even if something happens to your work computer.
12. Control
Having control over sensitive data is vital to any company. You never know what can happen if
a document gets into the wrong hands, even if it’s just the hands of an untrained employee.
Cloud enables you complete visibility and control over your data. You can easily decide which
users have what level of access to what data. This gives you control, but it also streamlines
work since staff will easily know what documents are assigned to them. It will also increase
and ease collaboration. Since one version of the document can be worked on by different
people, and there’s no need to have copies of the same document in circulation.
13. Competitive Edge
Not every company will migrate to the cloud, at least not yet. However, organizations which
adopt cloud find that many benefits that cloud offers positively impacts their business .
Cloud adoption increases every year, since companies realize that it offers them access to
world-class enterprise technology. And, if you implement a cloud solution now, you’ll be ahead
of your competitors.
MODULE 3
1. Various Types of Organizational Structure

2. Business value of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems

the system;
1. Integrates order,
2. Manufacturing, and delivery data,
3. Manufacturing is better informed about producing only what customers have ordered,
procuring exactly the right amount of components or
4. Raw materials to fill actual orders,
5. Staging production, and
6. Minimizing the time that components or finished products are in inventory
3. Supply chain and its role in Information System (Including push and Pull Based
Model)
Supply chain planning systems: demand planning
Supply chain execution systems
Warehouse Management System
GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAINS AND THE INTERNET
DEMAND-DRIVEN SUPPLY CHAINS:
From Push to Pull Manufacturing and Efficient Customer Response
push-based model:
• master schedules are based on forecasts or best guesses of demand for products, and
products are “pushed” to customers.
• With new flows of information made possible by Web-based tools, supply chain
management more easily follows a pull-based model
PULL-BASED MODEL
• Known as demand driven model or build-to-order, actual customer orders or purchases
trigger events in the supply chain.
• Transactions to produce and deliver only what customers have ordered move up the
supply chain from retailers to distributors to manufacturers and eventually to suppliers.
4. CRM System (Including Operational and Analytical CRM)
What kinds of information would you need to build and nurture strong, long lasting
relationships with customers?
You’d want to know exactly;
1. who your customers are,
2. how to contact them,
3. whether they are costly to service and sell to,
4. what kinds of products and services they are interested in, and
5. how much money they spend on your company.

If you could, you’d want to make sure you knew each of your customers well, as if you were
running a small-town store. And you’d want to make your good customers feel special.

Customer relationship management (CRM) systems

capture and integrate customer data from all over the organization, consolidate the data,
analyze the data, and then distribute the results to various systems and customer touch points
across the enterprise.
• A touch point (also known as a contact point) is a method of interaction with the
customer, such as telephone, e-mail, customer service desk, conventional mail, Web
site, wireless device, or retail store.
 • Well-designed CRM systems provide a single enterprise view of customers that is
useful for improving both sales and customer service.
• Such systems likewise provide customers with a single view of the company regardless
of what touch point the customer uses

OPERATIONAL AND ANALYTICAL CRM

Operational CRM includes customer-facing applications,

such as tools for sales force automation, call center and customer service support, and
marketing automation.
Customer lifetime value (CLTV): relationship between the revenue produced by a specific
customer, the expenses incurred in acquiring and servicing that customer, and the expected life
of the relationship
Module: 5
1. SDLC
Systems development life cycle (SDLC)
• Series of well-defined phases performed in sequence that serve as a framework for
developing a system or project.
• Each phase’s output (results) becomes the input for the next phase.

• “A project life cycle that is tailored specifically towards the creation, alteration, and
maintenance of software applications, hardware platforms, and information technology
systems.”
• It is a series of steps offering a foundation for software development.
• A structure to build software is fundamental, which is why there are multiple software
development methodologies to choose from.
• All SDLC methodologies share a common ground of distinct phases: planning,
analysis, design, building, testing, deploying, and maintenance.
• These SDLC phases provide the outline of what a software application project entails.
2. SDLC phases
1. Formation phase
• Inception of an idea for a solution that improves an existing solution or develops an
entirely new one.
• Helps define the magnitude of the project to plan resources.
2. Requirement/Planning Phase
• Gathers requirements to formulate a design plan for the software application solution.
• Entails a thorough analysis to assess user needs, feasibility, development,
improvements, and more.
• Include documentation to refine requirements and keep a record of the solution’s
development.
• Involves the creation of a project charter that defines technical and functional
requirements.
3. Design Phase
• Focuses on the design aspect of the software application solution in terms of the
selected technical and functional requirements and the results of the thorough analysis
of the software’s viability.
4. Development Phase
• Focus solely on building a prototype of the solution to perform a code review and
ultimately create the solution.
• The team works on transforming software specifications into a working and reliable
solution.
5. Testing Phase
• This crucial phase tests the software to ensure everything works as intended.
• In the testing phase, software engineers can detect defects, bugs, and errors in the
software solution and ultimately have a quality product that meets business
expectations.
• Quality Assurance (QA) specialists perform a series of tests to evaluate the status of the
solution.
Entire information system's performance depends on this phase.
• You can critically damage your entire project, loss or misinterpret user data, or
temporarily suspend a system by not prioritizing the testing phase.
• Poor testing practices can lead to enormous losses and damage your software's quality.
6. Release Phase
• When thoroughly tested and ready, the software goes live and is released to the end user
for actual use of the product.
• The software is fully operational in a live environment where end-users utilize it.
7. Maintenance Phase
This post-release phase is tasked with keeping the software completely operational, updating it
to meet quality standards, and enhancing it throughout its life to ensure it continues to attract
and retain users.
3. SDLC METHODOLOGY
1. Waterfall Methodology
• Known as the traditional methodology, Waterfall is a sequential and linear flow for
developing a software application. The process is outlined by a series of finite stages,
each of which must be fully completed before moving on to the next one. The Waterfall
approach follows this order: requirements, design, execution, testing, and release.
Advantages of Waterfall
• It is structured and easy to follow.
• The activities are well defined and foster careful planning of the project.
• Has specific deliverables at each stage of the process.
Drawbacks of Waterfall
• It is unyielding and complex to go back to any stage after it is finished.
• It has little flexibility to adjust to changing scopes.
• Relatively more expensive than other methodologies and is more time-consuming.

2. Prototyping
• Prototyping is mainly used to visualize software solution components and match them
with customer requirements.
• Main Two Category: throwaway and evolutionary.
• Throwaway prototyping creates a model that will eventually be discarded
• Evolutionary prototyping refers to a robust prototype that will be constantly refined to
reach its final version.
Advantages of Prototyping
• Help identify potential risks and threats that can be dealt with on time,
• Reducing costs and time investment.
• The user is involved and can visualize a working version of the software.
Drawbacks of Prototyping
 • Confusion with the finished version
• Waste of a significant amount of time creating a prototype
• Additionally, it can be costly to implement functioning prototypes.
• Client audiences tend to assume a good-looking prototype means the software is almost
done.

3.THE ITERATIVE MODEL

• The Iterative methodology was an early precursor to Agile.
• It emphasized iterative and incremental action. Its earliest reported use was as part of
NASA’s Project Mercury in the early 1960s.
• With the Iterative Model, only the major requirements are known from the beginning.
Based on these, the development team creates a quick and cheap first version of the
software.
• Then, as additional requirements are identified, additional iterations of the software are
designed and built.
• Each iteration goes through all the phases of the SDLC and these cycles are repeated
until completion. It was common for the team to work on several SDLC phases at the
same time.

4. Spiral Model
• The Spiral Method is described by Barry Boehm in his 1986 paper “A Spiral Model of
Software Development and Enhancement.”
• The Spiral Model boils down to a meta-model, which evaluates the specific risk profile
of the project before recommending an approach that blends aspects of the other
popular methodologies of the day, including Iterative and Waterfall.
• As such, it rejects a one size fits all approach to process model adoption.
5. V-SHAPE MODEL
• The V-Shape model is named after its two key concepts: Validation and Verification.
• In the Verification Phases, requirements and designs are created. Each Validation Phase
has a corresponding Verification Phase, where testing and user acceptance occurs.
• These two phases are linked together by the Implementation (or coding) phase.
6. AGILE METHODOLOGY
The Agile Manifesto’s 4 Core Values
• Individuals and interactions over processes and tools
• Working software over comprehensive documentation
• Customer collaboration over contract negotiation
• Responding to change over following a plan
Agile Roles
Product Owner - The Product Owner, also known as the “voice of the customer”, defines the
product vision based on all insights, feedback, and ideas gathered. He or she is the owner of the
product requirements and works closely with the development team to communicate the vision
by documenting it in short narratives called User Stories. User Stories typically include a name,
description, reference to any external documents, and an explanation of how to test the
implementation. Product Owners often maintain a backlog of User Stories if there are too many
to be executed concurrently.
Scrum Master - Similar to a project manager, this role is all about making sure the team is
following Agile principles, values, and processes.
Team Member - All members of the development team have different skills and collaborate
together to build functional software. Teams can include QA engineers, business analysts,
designers, database engineers, and more depending on the project scope.

4. Detailed note on Open Source Development

• Making the source code of software freely available for anyone to use, modify, and
distribute
• This approach contrasts with proprietary software, where the source code is kept
confidential and controlled by the developer or company.
KEY CHARACTERISTIC OF OSSD

• Transparency: Source code is publicly accessible.

• Collaboration: Developers from around the world can contribute.
• Flexibility: Users can modify the software to fit their needs.
• Distribution: The software can be freely shared and distributed.
5. HOW DOES OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE WORK? (WORKING STRUCTURE)
 • Open source code is usually stored in a public repository and shared publicly. Anyone
can access the repository to use the code independently or contribute improvements to
the design and functionality of the overall project.
• OSS usually comes with a distribution license. This license includes terms that define
how developers can use, study, modify, and most importantly, distribute the
Five of the most popular licenses are:
1. MIT License
2. GNU General Public License (GPL) 2.0—this is more restrictive and requires that copies
of modified code are made available for public use
3. Apache License 2.0
4. GNU General Public License (GPL) 3.0
5. BSD License 2.0 (3-clause, New or Revised)—this is less restrictive
6.Tools Used for Open Source Development (Important)
Git:
• Version control system for OSSD
• Allows developers to track changes to their code, collaborate with others, and manage
different branches of their codebase.
GitHub:
GitHub is a web-based platform that provides hosting for Git repositories.
Extremely popular OSSD providing features such as;
I. issue tracking,
II. pull requests, and
III. code review tools
JIRA:
• A tool used for project management, issue tracking, and bug reporting.
• Often used to manage development tasks, track bugs, and coordinate the work
of different contributors.
Travis CI:
• Continuous integration and deployment tool that is used to automate the testing and
deployment of code changes.
• OSSD to ensure that code changes are tested and validated before they are merged into
the main codebase.

Docker:
• Containerization technology that allows developers to package their code and
dependencies into portable containers.
• In OSSD its used to ensure that code runs consistently across different environments.

Slack:
• For Communication and collaboration of developers
Jenkins:
• Jenkins is another continuous integration and deployment tool that is used to automate
testing and deployment of code changes in open-source development.
MODULE 6
1. Detailed note Project Management Information System and Features
• A Project Management Information System is designed to assist
all elements of project management;
• including information that must be monitored or collected.
• PMIS can be used for
I. Project scope management,
II. Integration management,
III. Project time management,
IV. Project cost management,
V. Project quality management,
VI. Project risk management,
VII. Communications management
ESSENTIAL FEATURES OF A PMIS
1. Schedule and Planning
It is one of the primary functions of project management. PMIS computes the critical path,
slack times, and early and late schedules.
2. Resource Management
Resources in a project include everything, from material to human. Project Management
Information System makes this management of resources easy by including resource input,
allocation, resource leveling, and more. In addition, it helps keep track of the task's expenses
spent on procurement and allocation.
3. Budget
PMIS keeps track of all costs associated with individual tasks since the entire project's budget
depends on the estimates of each task. Thus, for more accurate budget estimation - the
customer's budget, resources allotted, and time available is taken into consideration, and then
the budget is generated.
4. Control and Performance
PMIS provides performance management by analyzing and controlling cost and performance,
updating existing plans as new information becomes available or existing data changes, and
providing what-if scenarios for the project manager.
5. Reporting and Communication
The Project Management Information System generates reports for every task, creates charts
and graphs of all the collected information and analyzes data that can be shared with the team
and stakeholders. It facilities effective communication among team members.
6. Integration and Ease of Use
PMIS might even access data from several projects for multi-project analysis and integrate it
with other systems such as inventory, payroll, and so on. The easier it is to operate a PMIS, the
less cost and time it takes to train.
2. Detailed note Project Management Information System and Phases
Project Initiation Phase
• Estimating a preliminary budget for the project that includes cost and resource
estimations
• Outlining the scope of the project and preparing bids
• Scheduling project activities and allocating them to the appropriate team members
• Organizing project data and preparing required reports for presentation to key project
stakeholders
Project Planning Phase
 • Extensive project scheduling, including analysis of critical paths and associated tasks
• Cost and budget management assistance, including the implementation of budget
analysis, cost controls, and other KPI metrics
• Conducting resource planning for the overall project, identifying existing resources, and
developing a backup plan for those that may be required later
• Creating baseline metrics for the project's time, cost, and scope
Project Execution Stage
• The team discussions, documents, and files are all stored in a unified hub that all
stakeholders can access safely and easily.
• It allows for an easy comparison of current project data with the project's baseline
estimations.
• Project managers can evaluate cost, budget, and schedule projections halfway through
the project and make changes based on current project requirements.
• It helps in efficiently completing several project modules, including project reporting,
cost management, material management, and project performance measurement.
Project Review and Closure Stage
• Allows for a thorough evaluation to confirm that the project's goals were fulfilled or
exceeded.
• All project information is organized and stored in a centralized hub for future access
and
• evaluation.
• All project information is archived for future projects.
• Aids in producing productivity analysis metrics and final project reports for stakeholder
decision-making.
3. Change Management in Project Management
4. TYPES OF CHANGE MANAGEMENT
Anticipatory
This type of change management involves planning the changes before they happen.
Anticipatory planning happens when there is a general idea or likelihood that change will
happen in the near future, so change managers start working on the project beforehand. This
type of change management is helpful when someone is planning to retire soon, and the job
still needs to be filled, so change managers will start planning ways to make everything work.
Reactive
The reactive approach to change management means that the change was unforeseen and must
be managed on the fly. This type of change happens when no one saw an event coming, there is
little time to make a plan, so managers must think fast to find a new solution. No one wants
reactive change management to be necessary, but life will always throw unforeseen events at
us, and reactive change management is there to help when it happens.
Incremental
This type of change management is best suited for gradual change that happens over a period
of time. Many incremental changes are small but are still intricately connected to the success of
the overall project. Incremental changes can be the plan to add new features to your website
over time, and while these changes are unlikely to upend or derail entire projects, they should
still be handled correctly, so incremental changes do not become reactive changes.
Strategic
These types of changes are much more impactful and can affect the direction of the entire
project or company as a whole. A strategic change could be adding new technology, which
requires new documentation, training, workflows, and maybe even new team members. This
level and scale of change is significant and must be handled correctly to get everyone back on
track with the changes.