The fundamentals of systems analysis, development, acquisition, and management are introduced. During this seminar, students are introduced to software for information systems, decision support systems, and expert systems, which they will use throughout this and the following seminars to formulate and solve problems in technology management. The concept of electronic commerce is introduced as a strategic tool in the delivery of technology to customers with an emphasis on the development and use of electronic value chains between customers, distributors, and suppliers. Issues in electronic commerce such as network security and firewalls, encryption, home banking, pricing, intellectual property, and international standards are discussed. Effective operations management aims at serving the needs of both internal and external customers with consistently high and continuously improving quality products and services.
Emphasis is placed on improving operational effectiveness to gain competitive advantage.
Students learn operations methods and skills used for facility planning, inventory control, logistics management, capacity planning, material requirements planning, and demand forecasting. Applications for both manufacturing and service organizations will be emphasized. In addition, methodologies such as total quality management and business process reengineering are discussed. Finally, modules are presented on project management and human resource issues in technology-based organizations. This final seminar in the Executive Masters program is designed as a capstone segment, integrating the techniques, skills, and methods developed during the first three seminars.