Business Applications of Technology - Introduction To Business - ثاني ثانوي

PLANNING A CAREER IN... siness, Management & Administration INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Almost every job in business is touched by technology. Technology supports core business functions such as communication through phones and e-mail, information storage and processing by computers, and reporting through printing, presentations, and conferencing. Information technology workers use a variety of skills and educational backgrounds to help businesses function. These skills can be used to support hardware, such as computer or communication networks. Technology workers can also support software usage by installing, programming, or training others to use computer programs and developing apps for smart devices. Most schools offer a number of computer classes. Instruction is also available at computer training centers. Some employers will pay for employees Related Job Titles • Information Systems Manager • Computer Programmer • Software Engineer • Network Administrator • Systems Analyst Computer Scientist Database Administrator • App Developer to take computer and coding courses. Self-paced and online programs are also available. Information technology training may be achieved through a specialized vocational program or a college degree program. Knowledge of computer systems, computer languages, application software, and other technology is required for specialized positions. Analyze Career Opportunities in ... INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Use library and Internet resources to learn more about careers in information technology. Choose one of the job titles listed in the box and answer the following questions. 1. Identify the minimum educational requirements for the job. Explain other training or education that might be needed for advancement. 2. Is this a career that interests you? Describe a few things you could do to learn more about this career. What it's like to work as a... Web Developer "Should we use an animated intro? Will a banner heading be most appropriate? What functions are required to serve the needs of this new customer?” Safiya, a web developer in Dammam, is in a morning brainstorming session with her team. The team plans to have some ideas ready in time for a meeting with the customer tomorrow. Around the world, more than three billion people access the Internet for information, entertainment, and business activities. Web developers analyze, plan, design, implement, and support the websites of their organizations. Many businesses use outside vendors like Safiya's company to create and maintain their websites. Knowledge of multimedia software is a key requirement for web developers. Graphics, digital imagery, audio, and video are vital to the appeal and effectiveness of a website. Web developers are often involved with creating websites for online selling and other activities. What about you? In what ways do you use computers and technology each day that might be the basis for a future career? وزارة التعليم Ministry of Education 2024-1446 Business and Technology | 259

9.1 Business Applications of Technology Link to digital lesson www.ien.edu.sa Learning Outcomes Once you have completed this lesson, you should be able to: 9.1.1 Define a management information system (MIS) and describe its components. 9.1.2 Identify MIS applications in service industries. Key Terms Management Information System (MIS) Computer-Assisted Instruction (CAI) Focus on REAL LIFE Nasir arrived on the first day of his new part-time job at a regional distribution company. This retailing company sells an array of products by mail, telephone orders, and the Internet. During orientation, Nasir met the sales manager and learned that some of the firm's products were doing well and others were just sitting in the warehouse. After he got settled at his desk, Nasir's supervisor said, "Nasir, please outline a report with the sales results of the new products we have introduced over the past six months. Sara will help you get started." Sara showed Nasir how to check the database for sales results. She suggested that he summarize the data on the spreadsheet program and prepare his report with word processing software. "Thanks, will you be around if I need more help?" Nasir asked. Sara said, "Sure, Nasir. Welcome to the team." Life-Span Plan LO 9.1.1 MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS Managers need information to make business decisions. A management information system (MIS) is a coordinated system of processing and reporting information in an organization. Computer systems and software are essential parts of management information systems. A company may need a departmental budget that provides information on expected income and expenses for the next three months. Using an accounting program, past company data and future projections can be processed to create this budget. Budgets help with day-to-day decisions and planning for the future. Components of an MIS As shown in Figure 9-1, the four main components of an MIS are gathering data, analyzing data, storing data, and reporting results. These activities allow an organization to obtain needed information in four main categories-financial, production and inventory, marketing and sales, and human resources. List the technology that you currently use in your own life and then consider whether these examples have applications in business. Identify some of the benefits that advances in technology have brought to business operations and consider how you might utilize these in your own life-span plan. 260 Chapter 9 | Business and Technology وزارة التعليم Ministry of Education 2024-1446 GE44.PATHWAYS.G02.ITB.SB.PP1.indb 260 08/05/2024 09:14

• • REPORTING DATA Narrative reports Presentations E-mail messages • Online reports GATHERING DATA • Government data • Customer data • Accounting • • Inventory Sales data MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS . STORING DATA . Hard drives CD/DVD Flash drives • Tape libraries The cloud • ANALYZING DATA Computer hardware Computer software • Data mining • Spreadsheets Why are these functions important for decision making and how are they interconnected? FIGURE 9-1 The Main Components of Management Information Systems 1. Financial information, including budgets, sales reports, and financial statements. 2. Production and inventory information, including production summaries, lists of tools and supplies, and finished goods reports. 3. Marketing and sales information, including data on customer needs, current economic conditions, and actions of competitors. 4. Human resources information, including salaries, employee benefit data, and employee evaluations. Data Sources The information for an MIS comes from several sources: External data sources are outside an organization. Financial institutions, government agencies, and customers are examples of external data sources. Internal data sources provide input from within the organization. Internal data includes accounting records, inventory information, and company sales figures. While gathering raw data may be an easy task, changing these facts and figures into meaningful information is the major goal of an MIS. وزارة التعليم Ministry of Education 2024-1446 9.1 Business Applications of Technology | 261

The MIS in Action What activities are involved in a management information system? How is needed information communicated to managers? The operation of the MIS involves the following steps: 1. Identify the information needs of the organization. 2. Obtain facts, figures, and other data. 3. Process, analyze, and organize data in a useful manner. 4. Distribute information reports to those who make decisions. 5. Update data files as needed. Work as a TEAM Websites for international business must be adapted to cultural factors in other countries. Design a website for doing business in another country. Consider the language, format, design, colors, graphics, and other factors. CHECKPOINT What are the four components of a management information system? How do management information systems help to support a business? LO 9.1.2 MIS IN SERVICE INDUSTRIES Over 70% of workers in Saudi Arabia are employed in service industries (World Bank, 2020). The use of computer networks and systems in these organizations is extensive. Public Service Government agencies use computers to keep records. The Saudi General Authority for Statistics, for example, holds a wide range of government records, reports and statistics, many of which are available to access online. Agencies are always expanding their use of computers. Saudi citizens can easily access a range of e-government services via the Absher app. Schools and other agencies can transfer records easily when someone moves to another area of the country. P262 262 Chapter 9 | Business and Technology Ministry of Education 2024-1446

Education Computers have become vital teaching devices. Computers make it possible to train and test workers in a range of professions. Airline pilots use computerized simulators to learn and improve skills needed for flying new types of aircraft. Computer-assisted instruction (CAI) is the use of computers to help people learn or improve skills at their own pace. With CAI, students work at a speed that best serves their needs. The student does not have to go to a school for instruction. The student can learn at home on a computer network system connected to a central training location. The demand for computer and information technology (IT) training in the workplace continues to grow. Healthcare Computers are widely used in hospitals and other medical facilities. Uses range from keeping patient records to monitoring medications during surgery. Medical information can be found within seconds, which can save lives. Medical professionals are also able to see to the healthcare needs of people in rural areas without leaving the city. The use of telemedicine with video-conferencing equipment allows diagnosis by a doctor in a different location, followed by treatment provided by a local healthcare professional. Technology of this type helps to expand the availability of healthcare in remote areas of less-developed economies. Financial Services SPE 1981 Can simulators be useful in other industries for training workers? SICKNESS RATE What are the benefits of using electronic systems for managing patients' records? Paying bills online, checking credit reports, and selling stocks and bonds are just a few examples of computerized financial activities. Electronic banking and other financial services have enabled consumers to do business beyond usual banking hours. Each day, computers transfer billions of Riyals. Payments to workers, businesses, and government flow through local and global computer networks. Most people are familiar with credit cards and debit cards. These plastic cards with a silicon chip are used to store information. The chip within the card stores such data as your current account balance and credit history. It may even store medical information for emergencies. Such cards can serve as personal record keepers for travel and other expenses. In addition, a smart card can be used to prove you paid for merchandise you want to exchange, to gain admittance to your place of work, or to unlock and start your car without keys. وزارة التعليم Ministry of Education 2024-1446 9.1 Business Applications of Technology | 263

Education Computers have become vital teaching devices. Computers make it possible to train and test workers in a range of professions. Airline pilots use computerized simulators to learn and improve skills needed for flying new types of aircraft. Computer-assisted instruction (CAI) is the use of computers to help people learn or improve skills at their own pace. With CAI, students work at a speed that best serves their needs. The student does not have to go to a school for instruction. The student can learn at home on a computer network system connected to a central training location. The demand for computer and information technology (IT) training in the workplace continues to grow. Healthcare Computers are widely used in hospitals and other medical facilities. Uses range from keeping patient records to monitoring medications during surgery. Medical information can be found within seconds, which can save lives. Medical professionals are also able to see to the healthcare needs of people in rural areas without leaving the city. The use of telemedicine with video-conferencing equipment allows diagnosis by a doctor in a different location, followed by treatment provided by a local healthcare professional. Technology of this type helps to expand the availability of healthcare in remote areas of less-developed economies. Financial Services SPE 1981 Can simulators be useful in other industries for training workers? SICKNESS RATE What are the benefits of using electronic systems for managing patients' records? Paying bills online, checking credit reports, and selling stocks and bonds are just a few examples of computerized financial activities. Electronic banking and other financial services have enabled consumers to do business beyond usual banking hours. Each day, computers transfer billions of Riyals. Payments to workers, businesses, and government flow through local and global computer networks. Most people are familiar with credit cards and debit cards. These plastic cards with a silicon chip are used to store information. The chip within the card stores such data as your current account balance and credit history. It may even store medical information for emergencies. Such cards can serve as personal record keepers for travel and other expenses. In addition, a smart card can be used to prove you paid for merchandise you want to exchange, to gain admittance to your place of work, or to unlock and start your car without keys. وزارة التعليم Ministry of Education 2024-1446 9.1 Business Applications of Technology | 263