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Title:
"Business Information Systems: Technology, Development and Management for the E-business"
Review:
The daunting title and size of this book may initially deter some readers, but the colour-coded chapter layout and clear language should immediately alleviate their concerns. This user-friendly format is well-designed for the book's key target audience of business systems students, but it's also useful for information systems managers who could use a refresher.
The introduction explains that the book is to be used as a guide "to provide a source of knowledge that will explain how the right systems can be chosen by a business, then developed appropriately and managed effectively". It is designed as a one-stop-shop for students, assuming no prior knowledge and covering topics such as:
* IT * Information management * Systems analysis and design * Strategy development * IS software and hardware technologies * Acquiring and building new IS * Effective IS management strategies * Key IT business implementation skills.
In addition to addressing the basic practical skills involved with managing and designing business information systems, whether they be computer-based, managerial or operational, the book discusses the importance of an effective IS business strategy to ensure maximum return on investment and competitive advantage. E-business strategies are given particular focus. In this respect, it has relevance not only for students but also for relatively new IS or IT managers.
Because this book is aimed at covering so much, the authors run the risk of abbreviating some topics. Huge subjects such as knowledge management and competitive intelligence could fill a whole chapter of their own. The list of recommended reading links for these additional subjects goes some way towards alerting the reader that there is more available for further study.
Keeping up with the speed of change of all technology-related material is a constant battle; "Business Information Systems" is no exception. Updates regarding developments, for example new search engines and blogs, would be an added bonus. Perhaps these could be added to the already extensive learning website http://www.pearsoned.co.uk/bis. But the case studies are notably current, interesting and relevant, and they appeal to the target audience, including "Inadequate IT contributed to 11 September intelligence failure" and "Guinness uses SMS to reach a younger audience".
Theoretical information management studies in the past have omitted direct business alignment references, so I was happy to see them in this book. The non-technical language made the book easy to understand, especially the section on the Internet and how it works, which was surprisingly interesting. The chapter regarding BIS strategy was particularly useful and covered such diverse topics as project management techniques, outsourcing and key performance indicators.
Because of its layout and format, this book makes learning about BIS easy. Each chapter is set up like a lesson, with introductions, learning outcomes, links to other chapters and study aids within each chapter. The material is supported with definitions, web links, case studies, activities and chapter summaries. Students will find this book a useful study aid, but IS managers can also use it as a development guide or reminder tool.
FreePint Reviewer:
Jill Fenton is the founder of Fenton Research Ltd, a London-based research company providing high-quality, tailored research and advice to help clients achieve their business information and research goals. Jill has over 10 years of professional business research experience, working within professional services firms in research management and analyst positions. Jill is a member of the City Information Group, the Association of Independent Information Professionals and Special Libraries Association. She can be reached at jill@fentonresearch.co.uk
or via her website http://www.fentonresearch.co.uk/.
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