Software: Examples and Issues

The Essentials

• Software is integral to converting data into information.
• Software, like data types, aids in organizing data for various activities.
• Understanding the relationship between activities and software operation is crucial.

Examples to Build On

• FreshDirect and competitors illustrate building on software.
• TiVo, Gmail/Yahoo! Mail/Hotmail, and Intel and disruptive technologies are further examples.
• Intuit, 3D Printing, and the Cryptocurrency sector and its fiascos also demonstrate building upon software.
• Chip manufacturing and E-waste management in the USA serve as additional examples.
• Supercomputers, Cloud solutions such as SaaS, server farms, Multicore processors, and parallel computing show the different ways of obtaining computing power.
• Walmart's data management illustrates the use of examples to build on software.

Issues

• Information technology's pervasive nature influences operations and the affordances technology provides.
• Technology enables activity coordination and tasks previously impossible, while offering price flexibility.
• Technology's radical changes impact organizational activities.
• Reliance on outsourcing may lead to ceding too much control to other organizations.
• Strategic planning is complex with tools of "5 Forces" and definitions to pinpoint management challenges.
• Technology drives disruptive innovations that gain value over time.
• Focus should stay on goals rather than fixating on metrics
• Managing data structure encompasses four features for large data volumes.
• Query and reporting tools require considering trade-offs.

Computing Fundamentals

• Data types are fundamental.

Excel

• Essential Excel skills include creating documents, and cutting, copying, and pasting data.
• Also covered are utilizing cells and cell references, logical operators, and basic functions.
• Crucial is formatting cells with widths, colors, and borders, plus protecting sheets and hiding/unhiding them.
• Further points are about splitting the view and filtering data are relevant skills.

Textbook Learning Objectives - Section 15.1

• Recognize the importance of software for firms and their strategic decisions.
• Software is present everywhere including cell phones, cars, cameras, and various technologies.
• Differentiate software from hardware.
• List the major software classifications with examples for each.

Textbook Learning Objectives - Section 15.2

• Comprehend what operating systems are and why they are essential for computing devices.
• Recognize how embedded systems enhance Moore's Law and enable "smarter" products and services.

Textbook Learning Objectives - Section 15.3

• Identify the contrast between desktop and enterprise software.
• Enumerate the categories of enterprise software.
• Define what an ERP software package entails.
• Distinguish the connection between DBMS and other enterprise software systems.
• Understand the potential risks and benefits of installing packaged enterprise systems.

Textbook Learning Objectives - Section 15.4

• Learn about the concept of distributed computing and its benefits.
• Gain insight into the client-server model within distributed computing
• Know the function of Web services and APIs, including their benefits to organizations.
• Acknowledge the importance of messaging standards for faster processes, cost reduction, fewer errors, and innovative business methods.

Textbook Learning Objectives - Section 15.5

• Understand programming languages and how software is created from a managerial viewpoint.
• Acknowledge how operating systems and microprocessors limit the platform for application software.
• Understand the significance of Java
• Have knowledge of scripting languages.
• Understand the capability of LLM tools to generate code and the continued relevance of AI tools in code generation.
• Understand the necessity for knowledge workers to have code logic and evaluation skills.
• Understand Low Code/No Code(LCNC) development platforms, uses, benefits and risks, including those made by citizen developers and end users

Textbook Learning Objectives - Section 15.6

• Understand the reasons behind firms using certain software methodologies
• Realize benefits alongside shortcomings of waterfall and agile methodologies.
• Comprehend scrum and its various parts.

Textbook Learning Objectives - Section 15.7

• Identify the different cost categories that comprise total cost of ownership.
• Realize importance of continuous maintenance and support costs after system implementation.
• Name reasons for technology project failures and methods to improve success probability.
• Research the failed launch and subsequent adjustments of HealthCare.gov and why it happened.

Textbook Learning Objectives - Section 15.8

• Appreciate how businesses increasingly embed software in products/services.
• Understand that becoming a software-enabled digital enterprise involves more than adding code to products.
• Recognize causes of Volkswagen's rollout failure of software-heavy electric vehicles.

HealthCare.gov Example

• HealthCare.gov serves as a lesson for linking operational goals/objectives in implementing operations.

HealthCare.gov

• HealthCare.gov was intended as a national healthcare exchange.
• It was designed for people to shop, compare, and enroll in healthcare plans.
• Subsidies were available for low-income individuals; it helped enroll people in Medicaid.
• Problems plagued the system, and the flawed design caused sign-up issues.
• Costs were extremely high.
• Website functioning lacked a clear authority.
• National demands couldn't be handled.
• Measurement and reporting systems were lacking.
• Even the most basic performance dashboard was absent, and user experience was horrible.
• The fix involved getting 8 million people signed up through clear leadership.
• Coordination implementation was improved, and stand-up meetings were held.
• Seasoned technologists were hired, clear priorities were set, and results reporting was implemented.
• One overall problem was a poor connection between goals, objectives, and operations.
• Uncoordinated contractors and a lack of overall snapshot reporting/dashboards also contributed to problems.
• Poor failure management; no review of growth over time.
• No use of important tools for similar operations or Big Data discussion.
• Symptoms include poor use from outsourcing, uncoordinated contractors, and a lack of direction/oversight.

Volkswagen

• To lead in digital transformation towards software-centric business, having software skills is essential.
• Aligning product capabilities with user goals/objectives is shown.
• Automotive companies should consider what's happening with EVs a disruption and therefore shifts impact a full range of industries.
• Industries include petroleum companies, gas stations, auto repair shops, servicing firms, auto manufactures, hotels/motels/inns, parking lots/facilities, and private and public parks
• The company's initial major EV foray into the market was with the ID3.
• Volkswagen's rapid EV expansion faced issues like a non-functional heads-up display.
• Further issues were with entertainment systems, glitches with smartphone connectivity; and inaccurate range calculators.
• Inconsistent charging software and unreliable charging route planning were evident.
• Correcting these issues can be difficult.
• Management is needed to plot a roadmap considering design to security.
• Integration with products like smartphones and access to charging stations must be considered.

Volkswagen: Bonus Content

• Systematic effects act against pure electric vehicles.
• The large value of the asset is tied up in the battery.
• Access to charging and the nature of slow versus fast charging are also factors to consider.

Software

• There are multiple definitions.

Really Basic Terms

• Hardware: The physical components of a computing system.
• Software: Programs and code that instruct a computer.
• Operating System: Software governing computer hardware and setting application standards.
• Applications: Programs performing tasks for users/organizations that may include desktop programs, enterprise software, and utilities.

Operating Systems

• Operating systems control application access.
• Types of control are user to application, application to user, and application to system.
• Tools for control are commands through electronic signal, Haptic and motion interface, audio interface, graphic interface, and text entry(code).

Firmware

• Firmware is installed directly onto hardware and is usually at the operating system level.
• Common in BIOS, firmware enables the hardware or other technology systems through special designs embedded in hardware.

Application Software

• A platform uses products and services that allow for development and the integration of software products with other complementary goods.
• Desktop software refers to apps on personal computers for single users.
• Enterprise software refers to applications that address the needs of users in a work group/org.
• An Application software package is commercial software.
• Colloquially: A set of software bundled for installation.
• Distributed computing involves different systems collaborating to complete a task.
• A workstation, or client, is a simple machine in a network shared by users.
• A program that requests data from other programs is a client (only).
• A server is a program that shares data.
• A machine providing workstations software/data to remote machines are servers.
• Application server: Software hosting business logic for use (and reuse) by applications is used.
• Web services: accessed via the application server, facilitate interoperable machine-to-machine interaction.
• APIs are programming guidelines giving other programs ability task performance, such as sending or receiving data.
• SOA(Service-oriented Architecture:) Is a web service set built around business processes/procedures of an organization
• Platforms: Products and services for development and integration with other goods.
• Enterprise resource planning (ERP) is a software package for integrating business functions like order tracking and sales and inventory.
• Additional business functions included in ERP systems are purchasing, decision support, human Resources and manufacturing
• Customer relationship management (CRM) is a system used to support customer and marketing activities.
• Supply Chain Management (SCM) is a system that manages aspects of the value chain thru delivering finished products/services and raw materials.
• Business intelligence(BI) systems use data from other systems, offer reporting in order to make decisons that are relevant to the enterprise/institution/organization
• A database management system(DBMS:) Is software that maintains, manipulates and creates data/is used by other enterprise applications.

Application Software - EDI and Languages

• EDI (electronic data interchange) sets formatting standards exchanging messages with data among computer applications.
• Extensible Markup Language (XML) is a language that identifies data fields available as new generation more flexible technologies.
• JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is a technology standard often used to format data as APIs.

Application Software: Bonus

• Mazda requires subscription for remote start after DMCA taken down open source program.
• Companies increasingly try controlling access to ensure they can support subscriptions.
• Dubious legal tactics are often used.

Language

• Language is important in programming and real life.

Writing Software

• Programming languages provides instructions, syntax and standards for software.
• Programming languages include C, C++, C#, Objective - C, visual Basic, Java, or SQL
• Step in compiled program code to be understood and executed by a microprocessor.
• Integrated development environments (IDE) includes compiler, debugger, and word processor
• Most programmers use an IDE to write code.
• Java, made by Sun Microsystems, gives developers platform independence.
• Scripting languages are programming tools that execute within an application.
• Python is a language used with data science, visual basic is used to automate in Office and JavaScript makes internet more interactive.
• Low Code/No Code are systems allowing individuals with limited or no coding experience to program at an affordable and increased power/flexibility.

Writing Software - Large Language Models

• LLMs generate language that follows rules of grammar including proper semantics.
• LLMs generate code, but cannot evaluate syntax or text analysis.

Evaluating Software

• Understanding the fundamentals of programming and how code executes aids in evaluation.
• Develop a mental model to follow the logic of a written computer program (software language).
• Understand how data structures are created, conditions are evaluated, functions are called and code is made

Software Methodology

• Software Development lifecycle (SDLC) is used for creating testing an the process of planning
• Waterfall method is a sequential software development approach.
• Agile Development's intention is to improve rollouts by constant improvement across smaller components of the larger project.
• Scrum is an approach that Breaks agile deliverables into short sprints, defining functions as roles and more.