Learning objectives
Explain the needs' of an organization
and the role of information systems inside
it
Define the structure of modern information systems
Introduce international standards regarding
IT Service Management and IT Governance
According to Dublin indicators:
Knowledge and understanding
This course introduces the concepts related to Information Systems and business. Particular emphasis is placed on the contextualization of the role of information systems within the macro "Company System" and the links with the fundamental disciplines such as, for example, Databases and Computer Networks. The reference text is in Italian, but with references to the terminology in the English language in the industry, in order to enable students to the international scientific literature.
Applying knowledge and understanding
The theoretical concepts are accompanied by examples and exercises, to understand their application to the solution of specific problems. The solution methods are oriented to develop in students the ability to think in systemic terms and to apply their knowledge of this course and all the other basic courses for the purposes of IT serving the needs of companies and organizations.
Making judgments
The exercises, which are proposed together with the theory presented in class, can be solved individually or in groups. The comparison among classmates should encourage the development of specific skills of analysis, judgment and expression of their arguments. The solution of the exercises is rarely unique and listening to the solutions proposed by others can develop the ability to identify the characteristics and structures ("patterns") in the problems, beyond the apparent surface differences.
Communication skills
Emphasis is placed on the need to communicate not only with colleagues in the IT industry but also with diverse professionals such as marketing experts, managers, controllers etc. ... This ability is essential for all roles of IT, such as Business Analyst, acting as "interface" between business and IT.
Learning skills
The study of the structures and management methodologies codified in international standards such as TOGAF and ITIL should provide students with a common core and a set of best practices, and design methodology which can be applied during their future career as IT professionals.
Prerequisites
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Course unit content
Program
1. INFORMATION AND ORGANIZATIONS: THE INFORMATION SYSTEM
2. The BUSINESS PROCESSES
3. THE INFORMATION RESOURCE AND ITS CHARACTERISTICS
4. DETAILED ANALYSIS OF BUSINESS PROCESSES
5. IT SOLUTIONS FOR ENTERPRISE
6. IT SYSTEM INSIDE INFORMATION SYSTEM
7. IT PROFESSIONALS IN INFORMATION SYSTEMS
8. INFORMATION SECURITY
9. MANAGEMENT AND PLANNING
10. CASE-STUDY
Full programme
Program
1. INFORMATION AND ORGANIZATIONS: THE INFORMATION SYSTEM
Introduction
The reality: systems and models
The enterprise system
The information system
Business organization and information system
2. The BUSINESS PROCESSES
A basic model: the business process
Value and its meaning for the company
IT-oriented process: ITIL model
Internal organization: important classifications of processes
Internal organization: fundamental processes
The enterprise system: functions-based vision vs. processes-based vision
Porter's value chain
The RACI matrix
Processes and organization
Enterprise Architecture
3. THE INFORMATION RESOURCE AND ITS CHARACTERISTICS
The information resource and its characteristics
The information and knowledge cycle
Representation of information
Digital representations of information
XML: an electronic universal language
Information and communication
Information flows and IT flows
Information overload
4. DETAILED ANALYSIS OF BUSINESS PROCESSES
Business Analysis
The vision of the process and the points of view
Analysis of the process as a succession of activity
Analysis of the process as a succession of use case
Analysis of entities partecipating to a process
Analysis of interaction within a process
Analysis of the process,entities and interactions between elements operating within a process and Analysis of the process as a succession of changes of state
An overview: the link between the diagrams
5. IT SOLUTIONS FOR ENTERPRISE
Information system and applications
Relationship among application levels
ERP
SCM
CRM
Business intelligence
Customer-enterprise interaction on Internet
Social media, inside and outside the enterprise
6. IT SYSTEM INSIDE INFORMATION SYSTEM
The structure of a software application
Networks within IT systems
The technological evolution: from monolith to middleware
The world of client-server and multi-tier applications
The evolution of the Client-Server: 3-tier and multitier
The problem of compatibility between components and entire applications
Overview on storage solutions
Overview on most popular operating systems
Overview on current technologies for application development
Service Oriented Architecture
Grid Computing
Virtual computing and virtual machines
Cloud Computing
7. IT PROFESSIONALS IN INFORMATION SYSTEMS
The operating contexts and categories of information systems
Human resources and their role
The details of "canonical" roles
Some examples of real world organizations
European e-Competence framework
8. INFORMATION SECURITY
The problems of IT security
Business continuity and accidental events
Human threats to IT security
The role of viruses
Information protection
The electronic identity
Operational applications of encryption and authentication
System protection
Security management
IT Security standard: ISO 27000
Italian and European law
9. MANAGEMENT AND PLANNING
IT Governance and COBIT
Tools for planning
ROI
TCO
Other important tools for management and planning
Management policies
IT Project Management
Operation and change management: ITIL and TOGAF
IT Standard overview
ICT and business: possible future scenarios
10. CASE-STUDY
A methodology for analysis of partial and complete systems
Associate professionals enterprise / SOHO
Employment agency as a model of a service company
Winery as a model for food company
The average Italian manufacturing company
Company selling CDs and books as a model for ecommerce website
Manufacturing company
University and training company
Public bodies
Consumer electronics shop
Bank
Telecommunication company
Bibliography
G. Destri
"Sistemi informativi. Il pilastro digitale di servizi e organizzazioni"
Ed.FrancoAngeli, 2013 ISBN: 9788820443115
Teaching methods
Lectures
Examples and case studies
Group exercises
Assessment methods and criteria
Exam with questions and project-oriented exercises
Other information
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