Information Systems Chapter 4 Review Questions 9-15 Critical Thinking Questions 1 – 2 (Page 179)
Chapter 4 Review Questions 9-15 (page 179)
9. Identify the two primary sources for acquiring application software.
Application Service Provider (ASP)
A company that provides software, support, and the computer hardware on which to run the software from the user’s facilities over a network.
Software as a Service (SaaS)
A service that allows businesses to subscribe to Web-delivered business application software by paying a monthly service charge or a per-use fee.
10. What is cloud computing? What are the pros and cons of cloud computing?
Cloud computing refers to the use of computing resources, including software and data storage, on the Internet (A Cloud) rather than on local computers.
Pros:
Being able to easily collaborate with others by sharing documents on the Internet.
Use the Web browser to access software stored on the Web server.
Design an online community.
Easy access for management and executives for reporting tools.
Cons:
Sensitive information could be compromised in a number of ways, including unauthorized access by employees or computer hackers.
The host might not be able to keep its computer and network up and running consistently as necessary.
A disaster could disable the host’s data center, temporarily putting the organization out of business.
11. What is open-source software? What are the benefits and drawbacks for a business that uses open-source software?
Open-source software is software that is distributed, typically for free, with the source code also available so that it can be studies, changed, and improved by its users.
Benefits:
More reliable and secure than commercial software,
User can fix any problems that they discover.
The chances of a bug being discovered and fixed before it does any damage are much greater.
Drawbacks:
The up-front costs are only a small piece of the total cost of ownership that accrues over the years that the system is in place.
Contain many hidden costs –
9. Identify the two primary sources for acquiring application software.
Application Service Provider (ASP)
A company that provides software, support, and the computer hardware on which to run the software from the user’s facilities over a network.
Software as a Service (SaaS)
A service that allows businesses to subscribe to Web-delivered business application software by paying a monthly service charge or a per-use fee.
10. What is cloud computing? What are the pros and cons of cloud computing?
Cloud computing refers to the use of computing resources, including software and data storage, on the Internet (A Cloud) rather than on local computers.
Pros:
Being able to easily collaborate with others by sharing documents on the Internet.
Use the Web browser to access software stored on the Web server.
Design an online community.
Easy access for management and executives for reporting tools.
Cons:
Sensitive information could be compromised in a number of ways, including unauthorized access by employees or computer hackers.
The host might not be able to keep its computer and network up and running consistently as necessary.
A disaster could disable the host’s data center, temporarily putting the organization out of business.
11. What is open-source software? What are the benefits and drawbacks for a business that uses open-source software?
Open-source software is software that is distributed, typically for free, with the source code also available so that it can be studies, changed, and improved by its users.
Benefits:
More reliable and secure than commercial software,
User can fix any problems that they discover.
The chances of a bug being discovered and fixed before it does any damage are much greater.
Drawbacks:
The up-front costs are only a small piece of the total cost of ownership that accrues over the years that the system is in place.
Contain many hidden costs –