What Are Information Resources? What Types of Information Resources Does a Business Usually Need? Why Is It Important for a General Manager to Be Knowledgeable About Information Technology? Support Your Answers with Examples.

Week 1 DQ 2 Due Friday

What are information resources? What types of information resources does a business usually need? Why is it important for a general manager to be knowledgeable about information technology? Support your answers with examples.

An information resource is a general term that includes all the hardware, software (information systems and applications), data, and networks in an organization (Kelly, Turban, 2008). These are the actual computer applications and the physical components that companies use in order to run their business. These applications are so important to a company that even if the company is without them for only a short period that the company will not operate smoothly. Because these types of systems are so valuable to a company; it is in the company's best interest to have a backup plan just in case something happens.

Types of information resources that a business might have are procedures, software, hardware, security, facilities, and physical buildings. These resources can be located throughout a company. I am a school bus driver in the town that I currently reside in and there are sometimes when we have to use software. We often times pick up new buses and there is always software that can be purchased for the buses. The software can be used to help fix some problems that may arise with the buses and is more times than not very expensive. If the problem that arises can be fixed with the warranty then that is how it is taken care of. If there are things that are not covered under the warranty then we purchase the software so that it will be a little less expensive to fix.

I think that managers need to know about information technology to know how the system actually works. If they know how the system actually works then instead of calling in someone from the outside to fix the problem they can fix it.

Reference:

Rainer, K, Turban, E. (2008). Chapter 2: Information Systems: Concepts and Management. Retrieved June 18, 2010, from www.ecampus.phoenix.edu