Book Description

Information systems knowledge is essential for creating competitive firms, managing global corporations, and providing useful products and services to customers. This book introduces management information systems that readers will find vital to their professional success.Emphasizes the digital integration of the firm through enterprise applications (management of the supply chain, customer relationships, enterprise systems, and knowledge). Offers vivid examples, engaging and interactive exercises, and the most up-to-date information to illustrate the impact of information technology on business. Highlights new applications and technologies to digitally enable business processes for electronic business and electronic commerce—i.e., what will improve firms' relationships with customers and create additional value.Provides new Running Case on Laudon Web site and accompanying CD-ROM; examines a fictitious company called Dirt Bikes USA, with each text chapter containing a project requiring readers to use application software, Web tools, or analytical skills to solve a problem the company has encountered.An indispensable reference for managers and executives who wish to integrate or update MIS in their organizations. ... Read more

Reviews (16)

Not sufficient for the DANTES MIS test
The recommended reading list for the DANTES management information systems test listed "Management Information Systems: Organization and Technology by Kenneth and Jane Laudon" current edition. [Although this particular book's title is "Management Information Systems: organization and technology in the networked Enterprise"]

This one appeared to be the latest book that Kenneth and Jane Laudon had available.

The content was okay, but not sufficient to pass the DANTES MIS test. I had to supplement my studying with the MIS book by James A. O'Brien. If you are looking for a textbook to use for passing the DANTES MIS test, use the James A. O'Brien book.

The layout of the book is VERY distracting. Not an easy read. Not smooth flowing due to the hideous layout. The book's graphics designer probably thinks it's a work of art. But then they probably only had to "look" at it, not actually TRY to read it!

Writers must know the technology
While studying for MBA, my course teacher suggested this book as text. After reading this book, I could not undertsnad why the book is still in market? It has so many technical mistakes. I am mentioning one here.
The authors described "Star Topology" as: consists of a central computer connected to a number of smaller computers or terminals. Anybody having basic knowledge on computer networking will disagree with this definition. Actually the computers are connected to a hub or switch, not to a computer, and the computers need not to be 'smaller'.
The definition of other network topologies are also flawed. At the end of section 'The Ring Network' the authors commented that: Both ring and bus topologies are used in local area networks (LANs)... Probably they want to say that Star topology is not used in LAN, but the fact is that most of LANs in today's world use Star topology.

The book is not intuitive
I am a computer programmer and had to use this book as a requirement for CIS class for my MBA degree. In my class I did not meet a single person who liked the book or found it satisfactory. I don't claim that I know everything about MIS. But the terms I knew are not explained well in the book. And it is very hard to understand terms I did not know. To illustrate my point, here is book's definition of the term 'hypertext markup language (html)' - "Page description language for creating Web pages and other hypermedia documents." In my opinion you don't explain word 'hypertext' with 'hypermedia'. "Page description language for creating Web pages" doesn't sound intuitive either. Most of the definitions sound like that. The only positive thing was that Book Store gave me 50% of the book price back when I returned it.

Case Study, How Can I get the answer?
Hi, everybody!!!

This book is the one, don't doubt it. Well, anybody know where i can get information about the cases studies, i would like compare my answers with a credible source.

Well, thanks a lot.

Managers, Sales Rep.'s, MBA-students.... this is a must have
The emphasis of this book is how organizational change is required to implement an information system. At this point, we have all been involved in new implementations or updates to existing implementation. This book addresses logical approaches to managing the organization during these changes.

This book is **not** for techical administrators; however, it is an ideal resource for the non-technical manager who oversees a technical team, a technical business, or who wants to see the business grow to the Internet or use EDI type processes.

Because it uses current cases to introduce concepts about networking, it would be ideal for a graduate business program.

Because it is well written and clearly defines the key elements of networking, it would be a great desk reference for any business oriented manager or sales rep. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

deluxe RIP OFF
I 'was forced' to buy this book for an MIS course. We all know how textbooks are scams anyway, but this one takes the cake. My college even had the balls to 'bundle' this with an MS Access book so we were stuck with a $170 bundle. All the info I needed to take the course was available on the website webct.If you can find a way to access that site, you don't even need this outrageously expensive book.I got an A in the course and never cracked the book.I just used the info on the website. You should try that route if you can, and forgo purchasing this book.

Just not worth the cost.
This book is compulsory for a class I am in.Do what I did, don't waste your money - borrow from a library..... or find other solutions.This is way too much money for information that can be covered in other sources.The publisher is clearly exploiting the fact that it is used as a textbook to raise the cost outrageously.

This book is a scam
My friend used Management Information Sustems: Managing the Digital Firm 8th edition. Now that I received this one I can see that 95% of of the content in the new book is identical to the one my friend has. Oh, right, the authors also added to the title the words "essentials of" Management...

I can believe the publisher let the authors publish this kind of book. A previous review says that the book is almost identical to the previous edition of the same book. Now I am saying that the book is almost identical to a different book writen by the same authors...this is outrageous.

Ah, yes. The cases at the end of the chapters are different

Money making scheme - rip off
I view suspiciously authors who change covers of their books and launch a new edition every year or every 18 months.
This book as with the5th edition is sub-standard.
If you are stuck with it as acompulsory read -borrow from alibrary. Don't buy. ... Read more

Book Description

Single most authoritative guide from the inventor of the technique.
* Presents unique modeling techniques for e-commerce, and shows strategies for optimizing performance.
* Companion Web site provides updates on dimensional modeling techniques, links related to sites, and source code where appropriate. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Practical Wisdom
There are a lot of data warehousing books out there that try to answer the question: 'Why'? Why data warehouses are needed to help businesses make better decisions - why the OLTP systems that run the business can't do this - and sometimes even why businesses ought to invest in data warehouses. These books were terrifically useful to us years ago, when we needed help (and scholarly footnotes) in our data warehouse project proposals.

This book is not one of those - it is all about: 'How'.

How to actually design and build a repository that will deliver real value to real people. In this reviewer's opinion, Ralph Kimball's many contributions related to the 'how' of data warehousing stand alone.

An engineer trying to just-start data warehouse expertise would have to read Ralph's Data Warehouse Toolkit first edition, his Data Webhouse Toolkit... a bunch of Intelligence Enterprise magazine articles... AND lurk on the Data Warehousing List Server...for a few years (all terrific resources - by the way) - in order to stockpile the knowledge that is crisply presented here.

No shortcuts that I can spot: all of the toughest dimensional design issues that I've tripped on - and can remember surfacing on in discussion groups over the past few years - are addressed in this significantly updated text. Not all of the solutions are 'pretty' - but it is clear that they thoughtfully address the problem. This rings true to my God-given 'bs' detector.

The authors have been listening to and addressing the data warehouse community's 'pain' through periodicals and posts - but this book pulls these point solutions together very nicely. I learned a surprising number of really useful new techniques, and was genuinely enlightened by the 'Present Imperatives and Future Outlook' section.

As in the first edition, there is minimal philosophical lecturing, and zero religion - perhaps the only reason to hesitate in describing it as the 'bible' of dimensional data warehousing. Authors of 'bibles' sometimes appear to be handcuffed by their need to be perceived as infallible - such is not the case here. Instead, we get generous helpings of real-world case studies - aptly used to illustrate a progressively more advanced series of design concepts.

This style absolutely works for me. And I suspect that engineering mindsets typical of the folks that build these things will surely agree.

In short, the Data Warehouse Toolkit Second Edition will significantly lighten the load of books that I carry between data warehouse engagements...

As essential as the first edition
I was undecided if I should buy this book after having read the first edition, but I'm happy I did.
The second edition updates many of the concepts contained in the first and includes some new chapters on hot topics like CRM and Telecommunications (which is the most important sector for dw at least here in Italy where I live).
I think that Kimball books are everything that's needed to design good, robust and flexible data warehouses, and this book maintains his high quality standards.

If you dont have it you ain't a Datawarehouse developer
The mandatory bible for any datawarehouse developer. Complete with examples and case studies, it will satisfy beginners as well as experienced professionals. I began with this.. and havent finished using it yet!

The best
This book simply is the best data warehouse book in the market, and an absolute must-read if you are in Data Warehouse field. The best part about this book is that it's not hogged down with technical non-sense, and it's quite easy to read and understand. Highly recommended.

An Indispensible Book
After six years of creating data warehouse applications, making a plethora of mistakes and learning stuff the hard way, I wish I had had this book at the start! Every other page offers a solution to some problem or other that I have had. In the project I am just starting I am facing new challenges and am finding help with them as well. The best part is how solutions I used in the past which were appropriate for those problems are contrasted with solutions for problems like the ones I am facing now. Almost as bad as solving a problem the wrong way (or overlooking it entirely) is reusing an old solution that does not fit the new problem. This book clearly spells out when each solution is appropriate. I can not speak too highly about how useful this book will be for you! ... Read more

Book Description

This book deals with the management of information technology (IT) as it is being practiced in organizations today. Its emphasis is on the current material that information systems executives find important, and organizes it around a framework that provides guidance.In this sixth edition, the key themes are the Internet economy, the global marketplace, e-enablement, knowledge management and knowledge sharing. It continues to merge theory with practice through case examples of real companies' use of IT.For information technology managers and executives. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Ideal for learning about IS management
I bought this book for my MSc in Analysis, Design and Management of Information Systems and I consider that it was extremely helpful. The chapter about the perspectives of IS and the role of the CIO are very interesting. In the chapter about Information Systems Planning, they included lots of concepts related to strategy, linking IS Planning with six different approaches/techniques: Stages of Growth, Critical Success Factors, Competitive Forces Model, Value Chain Analysis, Internet Value Matrix and Linkage Analysis Planning. The chapters about managing systems development are really instructive also. I strongly recommend the book for those IT practitioners whom are seeking a managerial position. It is very useful to managers and strategists as well.

From a network administrator's perspective
I read this book as part of my first course in a Ph.D.-MIS program. I thought it was a great overview and history of MIS, and provided insight into alternative IS management styles and strategies. The case studies were relevent, current, well written and interesting. I recommend this book for all network and systems administrators. It gives insight into what thought processes should be occurring at the CIO and IS manager levels.

Great paperweight, good consolidation of other people's work
This book provides various sources of information but no analysis by the book's authors. It is a patch work of case studies, excerpts, and paraphrasing of other texts to which I hope the original authors are getting paid royalties for.

Some of the diagrams are simplistic, others are useless. More than half of them are from other sources.

The book seems to formulate points of interest (e.g. traditional, evolving, and present-day IT roles) without providing analysis of why and how this affects future trends in IS management.

I had to write a review after reading nebulous fluff like, "Being a manufacturer, LifeScan has instituted quality processes." (which successful company doesn't) or "Way back in 1964,..." (not just back, but WAY back). When you do read something of slight interest it is almost always followed by something like, "so says Mr. so-and-so, in this-paper-that-he-wrote." (e.g. pp. 126-127 whenever "Rayport and Sviokla" is mentioned - 4 times in about 1 page of text and in every paragraph - the authors are paraphrasing a point Rayport and Sviokla made)

I'm truly amazed this book is this bad after five revisions. The authors seem to have the right information, but they really need to provide their own insights and analysis. And also have my high school english teacher review it to cut the fluff out.

College book
I had to buy the book for one of my class (information resource management) but as an MIS major I though we would get a little more into the 'management' part, and I was disappointed with the book as it doesn't go much indepth of the matter.

It's a good theory book, let's say!!

a great book, but way over-priced
I used this book for a graduate course during the summer semester. Overall, I enjoyed the broad-based approach adopted by the authors. The numerous case studies were extremely useful also, as they adequately illustrated what the authors were trying to say.
My only beef with the book is its price. I don't think it's fair to charge so much for the book. But for the cut-throat price, this book deserves five stars. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Very Useful
I bought this book for my database class and I found this book to be very useful. If this is your area of study, I would suggest keeping the book as a reference guide. I regret selling mine to a friend, as there were plenty of times where I thought I could refer back to it in other courses and projects.

Up-to-date database technology
This book not only teaches Database Theories, it also keeps up with the lastest IT happenings that involves databases.

The DataWarehouse chapter is one article that i've not seen in other database textbooks

Good Price NEW & USED
YOU WILL NEED THIS BOOK IF YOUR GOING TO TAKE Course Materials - Pace University | Web Assisted, Pleasantville

Very practical.
Indeed, a brilliant rendition of practical information. I am currently working as a chief technical designer in a financial data warehouse project for a fortune 100 company. Chapter 11 (Data Warehousing) unfolded some time-critical points.

IT'S POORLY ORGANIZED AND DIFFICULT TO FOLLOW; NOT INTRO BK
This is a required textbook for an Intro to DB course. Once again, the University of Texas at Dallas has followed a constant pattern of requiring textbooks that are 1) Poorly organized/written books, 2) expensive and 3)The professor haven't read the book themselves AND are not using/following a required book when teaching their course! This said, my review of this book.

IT'S POORLY ORGANIZED AND DIFFICULT TO FOLLOW; NOT AN INTRO DB BOOK!

For example: "Relational Database" - The book begin this topic on "PAGE 11", but does not define nor clearly explain what this is; the book glorify how "...preliminary studies convinced management of the potential advantage of this approach...modern company should implement..." Then, it talks about "Implementing the Relational Database." Ok, but what the f**k is a Relational database! This continues on until finally at "PAGE 259" when it FINALLY defines what this is.

Good luck! ... Read more

Book Description

An Actionable Framework for Elevating the CIO's Strategic Role

Two converging factors-the ubiquitous presence of technology in organizations and the recent technology downturn-have brought Chief Information Officers (CIOs) to a critical breaking point. They can seize the moment to leverage their expertise into a larger and more strategic role than ever before, or they can allow themselves to be relegated to the sideline function of "chief technology mechanic."

Drawing from exclusive research conducted by Gartner, Inc., with thousands of companies and CIOs, Marianne Broadbent and Ellen Kitzis reveal exactly what CIOs must do now to solidify their credibility with the executive team and bridge the chasm that currently separates business and IT strategy. The New CIO Leader outlines the agenda CIOs need to integrate business and IT assets in a way that moves corporate strategy forward- whether a firm is floundering, successfully competing, or leading its industry.

Mandatory reading for CIOs in every firm, The New CIO Leader spells out how information systems can deliver results that matter-and how CIOs can become the enterprise leaders they should be. ... Read more

Book Description

Firms with superior IT governance have more than 25% higher profits than firms with poor governance given the same strategic objectives. These top performers have custom-designed IT governance for their strategies. Just as corporate governance aims to ensure quality decisions about all corporate assets, IT governance links IT decisions with company objectives and monitors performance and accountability.

Based on a study of 250 enterprises worldwide, IT Governance shows how to design and implement a system of decision rights that will transform IT from an expense to a profitable investment.

... Read more

Reviews (1)

Fills in blanks left by CObIT
This book is not consistently aligned to CObIT (Control Objectives for IT), which is an IT governance standard set forth by the IT Governance Institute (paste the ASIN, B0001F8V14, into the search all products box on this page). However, it does provide a realistic approach to governance that reflects successful practices developed and employed by 250 companies surveyed by the authors. The key differences between CObIT and the approach in this book is the stakeholder model presented versus the control model CObIT incorporates. More importantly, the authors approach more effectively aligns IT to business goals and objectives, with IT in a supporting role more than as the primary decision maker.

Among the points the authors make is that IT is a strategic asset, and effective governance links IT to strategy and performance. I fully agree with this approach, and especially like the recommendations the authors make for implementing and managing IT governance, as well as the resources in the appendix which show which companies were surveyed.

If you are following CObIT you may have issues with this book; however, if you read through it with an objective mind you will find that the approach will work effectively, and does come closer to IT-business alignment than the CObIT approach. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Waste of Time
This textbook is incomplete, inaccurate, and invalid as a tool for teaching students about current System Analysis and Design concepts. Beg your instructor to choose a different textbook.

Horrible
I purchased this text for a college course,that I was required to take. Simply put this is one of the worst textbooks I have ever seen. The author does not clearly explain the concepts in the book, he uses the most vauge definitions I've ever seen. I reccomend to any students taking a course with this book,appeal to the proffeser to get a diffrent text, and to any proffesors considering using it for their course, please reconsider.

Horrible
I was forced to use this book for a class. I find the text very unclear and hard to understand with quite a few errors. The layout of the pages is poor and the author seems to get lost in his/her own words. The problems found at the end of each chapter never give enough information to tell you what you are supposed to be doing and they often ask for information that is not found in the text. For what you get this book is extremely overpriced. I may even sell this book back.

ZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
There are some really good BASIC terms and methods introduced throughout the book however most is useless fluff. Why not condense to 20 pages and call the "Complete idiots Guide to Systems Analysis & Design ".

Boring, Boring, Boring
I only purchased this book because I am taking a class in Systems Analysis through an online college. I must say that the content is OK but the delivery is horrible. This is, without doubt, the most boring book I have ever had the displeasure to read. I honestly was only able to read half of a chapter at a time. I have never read a book that made me this tired and the worst part is that after I was done I couldn't even begin to tell you what I just read. The good part is that the sides of the pages have key terms defined. This book could be the perfect cure for insomnia - I'm not kidding. ... Read more

Book Description

Corporate Information Strategy and Management: Text and Cases 6/e by Applegate, Austin and McFarlan is written for students and managers who desire an overview of contemporary information systems technology (IT) management.It explains the relevant issues of effective management of information services activities and highlights the areas of greatest potential application of the technology.No assumptions are made concerning the reader’s experience with IT, but it is assumed that the reader has some course work or work experience in administration or management.This text is comprised of an extensive collection of Harvard Business cases devoted to Information Technology. ... Read more

Book Description

Using a unique modular approach, this cutting-edge introduction to data communications features 12 core chapters of essential material, 6 advanced modules, and a Companion Website to provide the widest possible range of topics.Plus, 9 mini-chapters for hands-on material and case studies give learners a feel for what they will encounter on the job. For future networking professionals. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Six Stars!
I've recently completed a course using this textbook. Excellent!!! It has been a long time (if ever) since I have actually enjoyed reading a textbook. I feel it should be mandatory reading for all authors and potential authors who will ever feel the need to publish a textbook for undergraduate level work in a technical field.

Most of the many corrections on the online corrections page are minor and insignificant (i.e. typos) and would probably go unnoticed by the reader. With press deadlines in technologies being what they are, it is fully understandable. The choice to include those corrections (a) gave me a sense of security in that it demonstrated the author's thoroughness and (b) proves that you don't have to cut a new edition of your work every six months (which can be quite annoying for anyone who is looking to get a specific edition for class).

I was pretty much convinced that it was impossible to design and publish a textbook in a technical field of a caliber such as this. In general, technical authors either confuse the reader by over complicating the layout and material or they put the reader to sleep by being overly shallow and overly redundant. This is not the case for this book. In the words of Goldilocks, this one is "just right". I strongly recommend it to anyone, whether they have a class requirement for it or not.

Great Book, using in my PSU networking class
This book is great, it starts from the beginning of the networking age and goes through all the newest technologies and ideas about networking. Covers the business aspects of networking, wireless, how TCP/IP works and pretty muct the 802 standars. Book covers everything, this is one book I won't be selling back. A really good reference book for the basics of networking and rules to follow as well when getting into the networking field.

Great Book, but Check Author's Web Site for Corrections
I just finished a semester with this book. Loved it! I didn't think I'd every say that about a textbook, but this one really makes it easy to remember the material. It does so by quizzing you at the end of every section instead of just waiting until the end of the chapter. I found that it significantly improved my retention rate.

I will however caution you that there are errors present in many of the chapters. The errors I came across looked like they were mainly due to poor editing and validation of the technical material. I STRONGLY recommend that you go to the author's web site as he quickly posts any and all corrections by chapter.

For ... dollars, you'd think that the book's publisher, Prentice Hall, would have reviewed the book a bit more thoroughly before publication.

Errors aside, this is a great book that will mostly likely improve further with the next edition.

Ed

Great book -- clearly written by a Teacher
Not only does this book cover network essentials, it is presented in a way that actually promotes learning (!) While this may seem an obvious goal, the author of this book clearly puts great effort into presenting the information in a meaningful way (most books on this subject lack this care). I'd highly recommend this to students, or even to practicioners who would like a refresher or general reference on data communications.

Great Overview of Data Communications
We used this book in my graduate MIS course, and it was a great tool for learning the basics about data communications and networking. Many of my classmates thought that Panko did a great job of explaining data comm concepts, whether it was something as simple as an ethernet LAN, or as complex as an ATM network. Everyone in my class seemed to enjoy the text (both highly technical students with a background in data comms, and students who were learning the material for the first time).

The book is designed to give readers a general overview of a subject, then drill down into the details in later chapters. He starts with the basics (layers, encapsulation, protocols, etc), and then gets into how networks are built from the ground up. Panko has included numerous modules at the end of the book if you want to learn even more about a specific topic.

The author has also put together slides for each chapter which were very helpful in explaining difficult concepts, or emphasizing certain chapters in the text. If you can get a copy of them, I highly recommend using them.

I recommend this book for anyone looking for a way to learn a lot about data communications and networking. This book covers the gamut from LAN to WAN technology, packet switching, ATM networks, frames, IP addresses, etc. It can also serve as a tremendous reference if you need to review a topic later on down the road. ... Read more

Book Description

Since 1993, the Information Security Management Handbook has served not only as an everyday reference for information security practitioners but also as an important document for conducting the intense review necessary to prepare for the Certified Information System Security Professional (CISSP) examination. Now completely revised and updated and in its fifth edition, the handbook maps the ten domains of the Information Security Common Body of Knowledge and provides a complete understanding of all the items in it. This is a "must have" book, both for preparing for the CISSP exam and as a comprehensive, up-to-date reference. ... Read more

Reviews (32)

Not written as an exam guide & is Vol 1 of 3 volumes
This book is a collection of papers that covers the ten domains of the Common Body of Knowledge (CBK) Generally Accepted Systems Security Principles (GASSP). As a compendium of knowledge from acknowledged experts this book represents an exceptionally valuable tool for security practitioners, and because the papers are grouped by CBK domain, it is also a useful study aid for anyone who is pursuing CISSP certification.

The papers, individually and collectively, contain a wealth of information. However, anyone who wants to use this book as a resource for preparing for the CISSP exam should know that this book is Volume 1 of a three volume set. Moreover, this is not a book that was written as a study guide as much as a professional reference, and it isn't the only book a CISSP candidate should read.

For the practitioner this book is an excellent investment because it does cover all ten CBK domains in great detail. However, I recommend investing in the CD ROM version of this book (Information Security Management Handbook on CD-ROM, ISBN 0849312345), which contains this book and Volumes 2 and 3. The CD ROM is more up-to-date and is more convenient then three books that combined contain nearly 2000 pages.

Regardless of whether you opt for this book or the CD ROM, you'll gain a wealth of knowledge from this book and if used in conjunction with other sources of information you will be well prepared to pass the CISSP exam.

CD ROM version significantly different from paper version
Don't confuse this CD ROM with the book that is being sold under the same title (ISBN 0849398290) because there are some major differences besides the media on which the material is provided.

The book is actually Volume 1 of the Information Security Handbook, Fourth Edition. This CD ROM contains Volume 1, plus Volumes 2 and 3 of the handbook, making it a more complete compilation of the material that encompasses the ten domains of the Common Body of Knowledge (CBK) of Generally Accepted Systems Security Principles (GASSP). See the product page for Volume 1 for reviews and a complete description of that subset of this CD ROM.

Volumes 2 and 3, like Volume 1 are aligned to the ten domains, but have more up-to-date material and new papers addressing a wider array of topics. Moreover, CISSP candidates will find a great deal more study material, and working practitioners will find information that covers emerging trends and technologies that have surfaced since Volume 1 was published.

The new or expanded material of the two additional volumes on this CD ROM are:

Volume 2 - (published in 2000), goes deeper in network security, but also covers interesting topics such as single-signon (will be of particular interest to organizations implementing LDAP), centralized authentication, and related topics in addition to newer coverage in each of the ten CBKs.

Volume 2 (published in 2001), is an overall update for each of the CBKs and contains a lot of fresh material that is fair game for CISSP exam questions, as well as a compendium of fresh material for practitioners.

In addition to the convenience of having all of this material on a CD ROM vs. over ten pounds of paper, the contents are searchable using the built in search facility, and can be printed when hard copy is required. This is a nice feature for consultants who can bring a wealth of reference material on site for quick cross-referencing during assessments or developing action plans that are consistent with the GASSP. Of course, the fact that this collection is more complete, comprehensive and up-to-date than the book by the same title makes this an attractive choice for anyone who requires working references or wants to prepare for the CISSP examination.

Excellent reference!
Excellent reference!

This is an excellent security reference!

If you are looking for a pure CISSP prep book, this is not the best. But for general info sec, this is an awesome book.

A Must for Information Security
This CD is a must for all CISSPs and those who wish to become one. This CD ROM also has material not found in the printed format.

Good supplemental reading for the Security dude
This book gives good supplemental reading about the 10 domains. It is a must read for the CISSP candidate, but don't depend on it entirely. The chapters are well written, thought provoking and topical. You need it on your shelf if you're a real security person. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Good book
I think I have learned a lot from the book. Thanks.. It is a good book.

You've got to be kidding me.
This is literally the worst textbook I've ever used in my entire academic career. This book is jam-packed with jargon ("utilize"), acronyms (e.g.,"ERP," a term that the book does a poor job defining), and slashes. By slashes I mean, do you know how IT consultants love to use two synonymous words when one would suffice? For example: "I love/like to go jogging/running to the store/market."

My MIS professor was a moron, however, so it's understandable that he would choose this book. IF YOU ARE A PROFESSOR WHO IS NOT A MORON, DO NOT MAKE YOUR STUDENTS SUFFER THROUGH THIS BOOK. Thanks.

This book isn't good
Consider the following statement from page 256. Here's some "early lessons" from the "new economy":

Dot-com startups as well as clicks-and-mortar strategies can be viable for B2B for B2C ecommerce if the applications leverage Internet technologies AND a marketplace strength.

Aren't you glad you bought the book? You ALSO need a marketplace strength to be successful, not just the Internet stuff. Kinda makes you wonder, doesn't it?

USEFUL REFERENCE TOOL
I am finding this book as an extremely useful reference tool for writing my senior thesis at Rutgers University (NJ) on the Internet and B2B transactions. I find it very easy to read and useful, and some of the case studies are very interesting and helpful. Some of the other buyers don't seem to think the book is worth its price but I STRONGLY DISAGREE WITH THEM. I believe the book is worth its price.

Text is often Inacurate or Outright Incorrect
This text has a tendancy to give misleading information or entirely incorrect information. Even in the most basic concepts, the authors misuse terms or create terms used nowhere else in the IT industry. The authors relay their lack of understanding for basic computer concepts in this supposedly 2001 updated edition.

As an example for those who are literate in IT, the authors make statements such as "virtual memory is used only on larger computer systems". Got a 6 year old computer running MS Windows? You've got virtual memory.

If you wish to learn about IT, please find another book written by authors who understand the field, not business professors. ... Read more

Book Description

Written by technology management pioneer Fredrick Betz, this updated edition introduces technology management and illustrates the importance of managing information technologies, as well as how MOT is carried out with todays physical technologies. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Verbose, dull, and utterly uninspiring
This textbook was a requirement for a graduate-level course taught by (guess who?) Dr. Betz. I had read the entire book before the class even started (thank god for coffee), and I re-read every chapter as the semester progressed. I received an 'A' on every assignment, which is good, considering that I was bored out of my mind with the material. The book has a few interesting anecdotes, and a lot of page-filler anecdotes. It is more concerned with scientifically correct vocabulary than giving context to concept in plain English (e.g. endless ranting about physical morphologies, schematic logic, and different flavors of paradigms -- YAAAWN). Overall, this forgettable piece of work is reflective of an uninspiring academic.

The Big Picture on Management of Technology
Betz's book qualifies as a "seminal work" on the subject of the Management of Technology. The book is concise and well-written.
It gives the needed historical perspective on technology issues.

To give you an idea of the scope and clarity of Betz's vision I note that he aptly summarizes the technological history of the world in a few paragraphs of his introduction. These most pithy sentences present a Big Picture that will serve as the backdrop to his cogent exploration of contemporary management of technology issues (a sample):

"The gun ended the ancient dominance of the feudal warrior, and the printing press secularized knowledge. The combination of the rise of the mercantile class and the secularization of knowledge are hallmarks of modern societies."

Betz brings together a lot of good research and presents it in a concise and stimulating format. He doesn't present the research as if the thinking had already been done. He ends each chapter with some questions for reflection.

Having written myself on the subject of intellectual property law [in the International Media Encyclopedia Academic Press 2002, 2003], I was amazed to find illuminating case studies on the subject that I had overlooked. For example, Betz explains that the drug Penacillin was not developed commercially until WWII because companies did not want to undertake development costs without a patent.

I highly recommend Betz's book both for Managers of Technology and for classroom use in Undergraduate and Graduate Business schools and perhaps even in Econ departments. While not an economics textbook it serves as a good introduction to technology issues for economists as well. Economists of course need to read the original papers by Schumpeter and Kondratieff, Sah and Stiglitz, but they will find important clues to the significance of those works here. I recommend the reader follow up this book by reading Hal Varian's Internet Economics or Paula Samuelson's publications on Intellectual Property along with Eric Reymond's
The Cathedral and the Bazaar.

I find the book's case studies well written and very thought provoking. I literally couldn't put the book down. At the first reading I skipped the main text to read the case studies on Apple, RCA and Ford.

Too simple and too much introductory -not for grad student
This book is too simple to use as a textbook. It's a nice book for undergrad class in business school or introductory class of management in engineering fields. Again, this is not the book that can be used as a textbook at all. Too simple and spend half book just for "roughly talking". Reader can found more reviews in "Interfaces, Vol.29, (2), 1999", in Book review section. The economic of technology is the more important is ignored in this book. Not recommend. ... Read more

Book Description

The Harvard Business Review paperback series is designed to bring today's managers and professionals the fundamental information they need to stay competitive in a fast-moving world. Here are the landmark ideas that have established the Harvard Business Review as required reading for ambitious businesspeople in organizations around the globe. The eight articles in Harvard Business Review on Knowledge Management highlight the leading-edge thinking and practical applications that are defining the field of knowledge management. Includes Peter Drucker's prophetic "The Coming of the New Organization" and Ikujiro Nonaka's "Knowledge-Creating Company." ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Knowledge Management, a layperson's perspective
Knowledge Management, published by Harvard Business School Press, is a compilation of articles excerpted from the Harvard Business Review covering a period from 1988-1997. The articles in general focus on the way organizations can acquire, use, and maintain knowledge in order to remain on the cutting edge of their fields. The underlying message of this book, expressed by Peter F. Drucker in "The Coming of the New Organization (page 1)," is that future organizations must take advantage of technology to collect and track data so that data can be translated into useful information.

The manner in which companies acquire knowledge from data can vary. Ikujiro Nonaka in his article "The Knowledge Creating Company (page 21)" provides a general approach. Nonaka suggests that creating new knowledge requires, in addition to the processing of objective information, tapping into the intuitions insights and hunches of individual employees and then making it available for use in the whole organization. Within this framework is an understanding of two types of knowledge: tacit and explicit. Both of these have to exist in an organization and exchange between and within each type is needed for creation of new knowledge. Another point in Nonaka's article is that the creation of new knowledge is not limited to one department or group but can occur at any level. It requires a system that encourages frequent dialogue and communication. Similar but more defined ideas are presented in David Garvin's "Building a Learning Organization (page 47)."

Garvin's approach focuses on the importance of having an organization that learns. Garvin defines a learning organization as one that is "skilled at creating, acquiring, and transferring knowledge, and at modifying its behavior to reflect new knowledge and insights (page 51)." He describes five activities/skills that are the foundation for learning organizations. These are systematic problem solving, experimentation, and review of past experiences, learning from others, and transferring knowledge.

"Teaching Smart People How to Learn (page 81)" by Chris Argyris, deals with the way individuals within an organization can block the acquisition of new knowledge because of the way they reason about their behavior. In order to foster learning behavior in all employees, an organization must encourage productive reasoning. One caution is that use of productive reasoning can be threatening and actually hampers the process of learning if not implemented throughout the whole organization.

Leonard and Straus in "Putting Your Company's Whole Brain to Work (page 109)," address another way in which knowledge can be acquired. They identify two broad categories: left brained and right brained individuals, with different approaches to the same concept based on cognitive differences. Within these categories, there is great potential for conflict, which can stifle the creative process. However these different perspectives are important for full development of a new concept. Innovative companies should keep a balance of these different personality types to avoid stagnation and to encourage development of new ideas. The management of the cognitive types in a way that is productive for the company occurs through the process of creative abrasion.

One can surmise from the articles in general that data and information are valuable if they can be used to maintain the knowledge base or provide the basis for acquiring new knowledge. The organization that creates new knowledge encourages the following in its employees: creativity, a commitment to the goals of the organization, self-discipline, self-motivation, and individual exploration and identification of behaviors that may be barriers to learning. Cognitive preferences should be recognized and used to the companies' advantage. Finally, companies can learn from the best practices of others and from their customers. After knowledge is acquired, it can be disseminated for use throughout the organization and maintained in different ways.

One key method to maintain knowledge repeated in several articles is the importance of an environment that fosters innovation. Quinn et al, in "Managing Professional Intellect: Making the Most of the Best (page 181)," describe this as creating a culture of self-motivated creativity within an organization. There are several ways to do this: recruitment of the best for that field, forcing intensive early development (exposing new employees early to complex problems they have to solve), increasing professional challenges and rigorous evaluations.

Another way to maintain and use knowledge is through pioneering research, described by Brown in "Research that reinvents the Corporation (page 153)." In this process companies can combine basic research practices, with its new and fresh solutions, and applied research to the company's most pressing problems. Dissemination of new knowledge can occur by letting the employees experience the new innovation and so own it. As mentioned in the article by Nonaka, creation of a model that represents the new information is a way for transfer to the rest of the organization. Also the knowledge from the professional intellect within an organization can be transferred into the organization's systems, databases and operating technologies and so made available to others within the organization. An example of this is Merryl Lynch, which uses a database of regularly updated information to link its 18,000 agents.

Yet another tool for disseminating information within an organization is the learning history, described by Kleiner and Roth in "How to Make Experience Your Company's Best Teacher (page 137)." This makes use of the ages old community practice of storytelling to pass on lessons and traditions. The learning history collects data from a previous experience with insight from different levels of employees involved and puts it together in the form of a story that can be used in discussion groups within the organization. In companies where this has been used, it builds trust, provides an opportunity for collective reflection, and can be an effective way to transfer knowledge from one part of the company to another. In addition, incentives in the form of a report in response to the new innovation and achievement awards encourages employees to learn and helps with the dissemination of information.

Ideal Intro To A Very Intangible Topic
While other facets of managment consulting will ultimately yield to lower-cost technology tools, or consultants, KM shall reign as the ultimate value-added analysis. That was my hypothesis before buying this book, and it has only been proven true. The essays in the book range from esoteric to the executable, and include valuable case studies to punctuate the themes. Knowledge Management means so many things, that it can come to mean nothing. This book does an excellent job of providing some metes and bounds to the topic and to stimulate thinking around important organizational and operational issues.But don't get it and expect to be an "instant expert." This is an overview, albeit an excellent one.

Knowledge Management with practical applications
Excelente libro que proporciona las bases suficientes sobre la administración del conocimiento, además de tener como respaldo el prestigio de una casa de estudios como es la Universidad de Harvard.

Lo recomiendo ampliamente.

Need to know vs, Nice to know
Having recently moved into the KM area I thought this book would be a 'must read'....but as anither reviewer pointed out if you have been keeping in touch with KM from the beginning (or whatever , from '96) would not find anything earth-shattering (that's the tacit selling job of the HBR logo, right?) in the compilation.

We all have heard about Drucker's "knowledge workers" and Nonaka's "Creation of Knowledge" and Argyris and his "teaching smart people" and Dorothy Leonard's "whole organisation brain" theory ad nauseum ad infinitum!

Guess HBR should have added more value (or retros or something ) instead of just taking photcopies of their old articles and printing them together!

A good introduction
The Harvard Business Review Series is a collection of reprints of some classic articles from the journal. There are some classic, thought provoking pieces in this book.

In light of the current Japanese recession, it is interesting to reread Nonaka's review of Japanese group methods for promoting creativity in the corporation. He argues that it is a western idea that knowledge is 'hard', or can be digested into records in a computer. He describes cycles of tacit to explicit knowledge that a learning group experiences. I enjoyed his characterization of the senior manager as a romantic pursuing ideals. In the next wave of eBusiness will the companies that thrive be able to leverage the tacit knowledge in the current operational model of the internet?

This is a good starting reference on this topic. ... Read more

Book Description

A quick and reliable way to build proven databases for core business functions
Industry experts raved about The Data Model Resource Book when it was first published in March 1997 because it provided a simple, cost-effective way to design databases for core business functions. Len Silverston has now revised and updated the hugely successful First Edition, while adding a companion volume to take care of more specific requirements of different businesses. Each volume is accompanied by a CD-ROM, which is sold separately. Each CD-ROM provides powerful design templates discussed in the books in a ready-to-use electronic format, allowing companies and individuals to develop the databases they need at a fraction of the cost and a third of the time it would take to build them from scratch.
Updating the data models from the First Edition CD-ROM, this resource allows database developers to quickly load a core set of data models and customize them to support a wide range of business functions. ... Read more

Reviews (19)

Excellent Resource!
I purchased this book along with Volume 2 a couple of years ago. The company I work for purchased the Volume 1 CD and it has been worth every penny. It has saved us countless man-hours and since our IS organization is now doing iterative development, there is no way we could ever hope to develop integrated databases without using these Universal Data Models. The book and CD is worth every cent and can benefit to any organization.

To make it clear, this is not a how-to data modeling book. It is a book of universal data models. If you need to learn how to model, purchase another book; however I would certainly recommend this book in addition to your how-to book.

Where people or organizations generally run into trouble with universal data models is when egos, not invented here syndrome, or outright pride are allowed to play a major part.

I see these universal data models analogous to the use of prehung doors and pre-assembled windows. No builder in their right mind would allow their carpenters to use their valuable time building door and window assemblies. Why would an IS manager allow his data administrators, database administrators, or developers spend their valuable time reinventing the wheel with many of these relational structures? Universal Data Models are a tremendous time saver and will allow an IS organization to develop databases faster, better, and cheaper.

I attended a conference in April 2003 and saw a presentation by a consultant, who used these Universal Data Models to create a database for Authentication and Authorization. This is another example of the powerful benefit of these models.

We have used these models on several projects with great success and will continue to use them on our upcoming projects.

What a time saver and valuable resource!
My copy of both volume 1 and volume 2 have been referenced so many times that they are tattered and worn, but such a valuable resource on all my projects. Whenever I contemplate a design, I first look at this book and, more often than not, I get ideas and best practices on ways to model the construct. I have successfully re-used designs from both volume 1 and 2 and have applied models from both of these books towards the modeling of many industries including distribution, manufacturing, telecommunications, health care, financial services and professional services.

I have found that the models provided are very relevant, re-usable, and of very high quality. They also provide all the details necessary to create physical database designs. They include entities, keys (primary and foreign), relationships (named), attributes, and the appendices include a complete listing and cross referencing of the entities and attributes, which entities are used in which diagrams (in volume 2), and domains that specify the data type and suggested lengths for each attribute. The book provides clear explanations as to why the models are modeled a certain way as well as includes data examples showing the specific instances of data that could be stored in these models.

The data models offered are at what I would consider a mid level of abstraction. Therefore, they offer a good level of flexibility without being overly abstract. The author will use very useful abstractions such as a "party", "product", "agreement" and "work effort" (with many specific subtypes of these entities as they apply to the various industries) but he does not go overboard by including overly generic concepts like "item" "activity", or "thing" entities. What I really like is that the author will often show multiple ways of modeling the same construct and show the pros and cons of the different ways to model a construct. Sometimes specific data modeling constructs are shown and sometimes more abstract entity models are shown.

Both the volume 1 common models and volume 2 industry models have not only saved me time by being able to re-use the constructs, but they have offered some perspectives that did not occur to me and have literally been a life saver to me on many a project. I could not ask for a better reference on data modeling templates and re-usable data modeling examples!

A Helpful Resource
I'm the data architect of an enterprise data warehouse for a large travel and hospitality company. I bought Volume 1 about the same time I discovered my company was purchasing an industry-specific universal model from one of our data warehouse vendors to jump start our efforts. The book has been an excellent reference to have alongside these models. In some cases it verifies the purchased model and in others Len has given me an even better way to model a particular concept.

The many discussions on WHY you would model an entity one way versus another are particularly valuable. I'm not always sure how to adapt a particular part of the model to our business even after reading the discussions (mainly because I don't know enough about that part of our business yet), but the points raised in the book make me aware of things I need to discuss with the business (or look for in source systems) as I approach that area of the model.

The section on creating a physical model was also helpful in my decision to keep the physical model close to the logical (option #3). I'm looking forward to picking up further physical design tips at Len's session at the upcoming TDWI conference.

So read the other reviews and buy the book already. It's practical and so very helpful in getting you going in the right direction!

It works in the real world.
I personally have had great success in many large firms (Investment banking, health insurance) implementing Universal Data models based off the Data Model Resource Book. The book was a very concise useful source for the implementation of both logical, and subsequently physical data models. Some people may criticize so called generalities, but "generalities" are a subjective concept. I have personally have seen much more generic type models that where nowhere near as useful as the models in the Data model resource book.

The bottom line is that these models work in the real world as a jump-start for data projects. If you don't want to get caught in the mire of data modeling, buy this book.

A Great Starting Point
This book is a great starting point for anyone building object or data models for business applications.
It is full of information and you can add or remove things to create a specific data model.
Pay no attention to the people that are saying it is disappointing because it is so general. It is a great starting point and I don't think you are ever going to find a data model in a book that doesn't need some sort of specialisation or customisation.

I have recommended this book to everyone I have talked to about data models since I got it a month ago. If you are anything other than a specialist data/object modeler, then you will find great value in this book. ... Read more

Book Description

This introduction to computers is known for its readability as well as its up-to-date, in-depth look at computer concepts. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A great text book for Information System
This book is one of the best resources for Undrestanding Information Systems.This Book covers almost every consept for undrestanding modern Information Systems.It`s good for MIS courses for business & management students ... Read more

Book Description

This much-anticipated text will help future healthcare managers understand the prinicples of analysis, design, evaluation, selection, acquisition, and utilization of information systems in healthcare organization settings. Sufficient technical detail on computer hardware, software, networks, and telecommunications is included so that students can understand technology's role in healthcare. Written from a mangement perspective, this text emphasizes the intelligent use of information for strategic planning, decision support, program management, high quality patient care, and continuous quality improvement.

Benefits:

New chapters include information on e-health, information security, application development, and project management, with thorough updates throughout the entire book
Each chapter includes a summary, discussion questions, and problems
Includes a glossary of technical terms
Ideal text for undergraduate or graduate health information classes ... Read more

Book Description

OLAP enables users to access information from multidimensional data warehouses almost instantly, to view information in any way they like, and to cleanly specify and carry out sophisticated calculations. Although many commercial OLAP tools and products are now available, OLAP is still a difficult and complex technology to master.
* Substantially updated with expanded coverage of implementation methods for data storage, access, and calculation; also, new chapters added to combine OLAP with data warehouse, mining, and decision support tools
* Teaches the best practices for building OLAP models that improve business and organizational decision-making, completely independent of commercial tools, using revised case studies
* Companion Web site provides updates on OLAP standards and tools, code examples, and links to valuable resources ... Read more

Reviews (19)

Fundamental Olap principles
I was impressed by the quality of this book; this is probably the most complete book on OLAP theory and is a fundamental reading for professionals involved in the design of olap systems. In most cases it gives all the details and information needed to master this technology. It also contains some practical examples that are very useful to see how the theory can be applied in the real world.
I didn't read the first edition, but the second edition contains new sections and many updates, like a description of SQL-99 OLAP extensions.
The author chose to be vendor-independent, so all practical examples are based on a multidimensional language that he created, called Located Contents (LC). However, when I read it I had already used a couple of OLAP tools (Microsoft Analysis Services and Microstrategy), and I think that this helped me understand many of the concepts