Chapter 17

From Transaction Processing to Innovative Functional Support Systems

Chapter 17 describes innovative applications of IT to the major functional areas of the enterprise: accounting/finance, production/operations, marketing, and human resource management. In addition the chapter describes the use of IT in transaction processing systems.

[ Update | Exercises | IT@Work ]

Update

Pick a card, any card.

Still using those dumb pieces of plastic called credit cards? Perhaps you should consider putting a computer in your wallet. It’s called a "smart card"—a wallet-sized slice of plastic with a built-in microprocessor. So what good is it? Well, first off, it can store 200 times more than magnetic-striped cards. And they can process information—hence the "smart" in their name. For consumers, it means instant access to cash stored on the card (no wait to connect to your banking network), your entire medical history, customer loyalty points and someday even family photos. Although they won’t do away with cash, smart cards are a relatively safe, tamper-proof alternative that will soon be accepted just about anywhere.

Find out all about Visa’s smart card product at How Visa Cash Works. MasterCard also has a stake in the emergence of smart cards, and their approach is described on their smart card page. MasterCard recently bought a controlling interest in Mondex, one of the forerunners in the development of smart cards. Check out Mondex USA for background on the company and its technology, and take an interactive look at an electronic wallet. Finally, an industry trade group called Smart Card Forum provides an excellent introduction to the topic in What is a smart card?

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Exercises

1. Surf the Internet to discover what is new in the Online TPS (OLTP). Find a case study (e.g., visit the site of InformationWeek).

2. Join a newsgroup whose interest is just-in-time. Find software vendors and actual case studies.

3. Mass customization is an important BPR strategy. Surf the Internet to find how mass customization is practiced. Join a newsgroup that is interested in the topic.

4. Read Box 17.8 and communicate with Infomarket Corporation to find out the status of their product. Examine one or two real world applications.

5. The topic of help desk has been recently connected to the Internet. Surf the Internet to find material on the topic. Join a newsgroup and discuss the issue of using intelligent agents to support help desks.

6. There is an extensive job market on the Internet. You can place your resume, view positions available, and be matched with an employer (see section 7 of the Internet Supplement).

a) Place a resume.

b) Explore a potential job opportunity.

7. Many companies offer training via the Internet. This includes offering college degrees as well as in-company training (see the June 1996 issue of the Communication of the ACM).

a) Find information about organizations that use in-house Intranet-based training.

b) Find commercial enterprises that offer degrees or certificate programs over the Internet.

c) Join a newsgroup and learn about implementation issues.