Information Systems: Technology and Business Models

Course description

This course introduces you to the various information systems strategies and technology infrastructures used by organizations today. Topics covered include the alignment of IT with business objectives, a paradigm shift to cloud computing, virtualization and various eCommerce models. You will also gain critical organizational alignment skills and master the process of selecting a cloud vendor.

Information systems provide necessary facts and figures to efficiently and effectively manage organizations. To reap the greatest benefits from your company's information system, you must fully utilize all of its capabilities. Optimal strategic planning and up-to-date technology infrastructure are two crucial factors that lead to the ideal utilization of a company’s information system. This course will focus on these two critical factors: technology and business models. You will begin by learning about strategies and their importance in running an organization. You will go on to understand how a strategic plan is constructed in response to market forces, customer demands and organizational capabilities. Subsequently, a few strategies including low-cost leadership, product differentiation, focus on niche markets and tactics for competitive advantage will be discussed. Moving on, you will cover the alignment of information technology with the business objectives and goals of an organization.

Next, you will dive into the process of strategic systems analysis in an organization, the concept of a balanced scorecard and how it focuses on measurable outcomes on four dimensions of a business’s performance. Key performance indicators (KPIs) and their role in formulating a balanced scorecard will then be discussed. Then you will learn about the different types of information technology infrastructures or computing systems: data centers, virtualization and cloud computing. Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and their role in the context of cloud computing will then be highlighted and the factors that need to be considered when an enterprise or a firm is going to select a cloud service provider will also be discussed.

The second module provides an introduction to electronic commerce. You will learn about eCommerce, mobile commerce and other internet-enabled digital technologies that facilitate the exchange of value. The four different types of eCommerce models and the difference between eCommerce and eBusiness will then be illustrated. You will then take a deep dive into the features that distinguish these from traditional brick and mortar business as well as the various challenges faced by organizations and individuals in their adoption and practice. Go on to explore the five primary revenue models of an eCommerce business, alongside a variety of unique eCommerce business models, including auction sites, crowdsourcing, store builder, coupon business and freelance marketplaces. This course will equip you with the essential knowledge needed to manage information systems with the highest level of efficiency, as well as the management skills needed to discern the effectiveness of different strategies and business models. Enroll now to expand your knowledge in this exciting field.