information systems 3

SECTION A [100 Marks] Companies Making IT A Competitive Advantage All enterprises, regardless of what they produce or the services they deliver, are really information businesses. The accuracy, speed and precision of IT systems means the difference between winning or losing customers, keeping supply chains profitable, and solidly translating new concepts into revenue-producing products and services. The world's best-run services businesses have customer-driven IT as part of their DNA; it is very much who these companies are internally. Question 3 3.1 (10 marks) Client Server computing is a growing trend in most organisations. Computing power has rapidly become distributed and interconnected throughout many organisations through networks of all types of computers. Discuss the characteristics and benefits of client/server networks. 3.2 (4 marks) The simplest way in which the Internet can be described is as a global network system made up of smaller systems. Describe TWO (2) distinguishing features of the Internet. 3.3 (6 marks) Electronic commerce (e-commerce) is defined as sharing business information, maintaining business relationships, and conducting business transactions through the use of telecommunication networks. Discuss THREE (3) business and consumer e-commerce models