About The Book

Welcome to Information Systems for Business and Beyond. In this book, you will be introduced to the concept of information systems, their use in business, and the larger impact they are having on our world.

This book is written as an introductory text, meant for those with little or no experience with computers or information systems. While sometimes the descriptions can get a little bit technical, every effort has been made to convey the information essential to understanding a topic while not getting bogged down in detailed terminology or esoteric discussions.

The book is divided into three sections:

• Part 1: What is an information system? This section covers the technical components, such as hardware, software, networks, and security.
• Part 2: Information systems for strategic advantage. This section of the book relates how information systems are used in organizations and how they can be deployed to improve business.
• Part 3: Information systems beyond the organization. Here you will find details on how information systems have affected our society on a larger scale. Topics covered include globalization, intellectual privacy, and future trends.