Journal of Systems Management articles from July 1996

Journal of Systems Management archives from July 1996

"A problem of rational origin that requires a rational solution." (year 2000 date change problem)(Cover Story)
July 1, 1996... In the wake of increased press coverage, most information systems professionals and their organizations have become aware of the year 2000 date problem facing the business community. However, most organizations have taken little action on this...

When a system must be all things to all people: the functions, components & costs of a multi-purpose group support system facility.
July 1, 1996... Potential uses for a GSS facility include using the facility as a Meeting Facility, a Research Laboratory, a Computer Laboratory, a Computer-Based Classroom, a Distance Learning Facility, a Software Training Facility, and/or as an Internet...

Whopperjawed. (individual and institutional ethics)(Flames from the Front)(Column)
July 1, 1996... Is that a great word or what!?! A guy used it the other day to describe our sometimes goofy coffee machine. "It gets all whopperjawed & makes a mess", he said. A perfect description of almost every piece of software that I have come in contact...

Total System Services, Inc.: environmental consciousness in data processing.
July 1, 1996... Environmental issues such as reducing emissions, improving energy efficiencies, and recycling are usually associated with heavy industries such as metal fabrication and chemical processing. When environmental issues are discussed within the...

Open systems have arrived at Lyondell. (Lyondell Petrochemical Co.)
July 1, 1996... An open systems approach allows Lyondell Petrochemical to store massive quantities of process data from a wide range of sources gathered from three different operating systems. This data can be accessed by engineers and managers through an...

The role of top management in the development of expert systems.
July 1, 1996... Top management generally involve themselves most heavily in the formulation of a written overall development plan. However, other roles, including allocation of funding and time, resolution of IS staff's conflicts with the expert systems project...

It's the data stupid! (data quality)(The Last Boy Scout)(Column)
July 1, 1996... As far as I know, the office of Chief Information Officer (CIO) is not an elective position in any organization. But if there were a company where the CIO was elected by the employees, I would run for that office on the slogan, "It's the data...

Controlling an EDI environment. (electronic data interchange)
July 1, 1996... Today, many firms use electronic data interchange, replacing paper business documents with digital messages directly exchanged and processed via computers. But do managers, systems personnel, and accountants understand how to control these...

MIS job market: shaken but not stirred. (management information systems)
July 1, 1996... The MIS job market remains strong and the number of open positions has grown by 9% over 1994. But the market is shaken if not stirred, as the rankings of the most wanted job skills have not stabilized and there is still substantial change in the...

Group support systems: a new productivity tool for the 90's.
July 1, 1996... In today's competitive world a growing number of organizations are faced with decisions that are multi-dimensional, complex and require input from diverse decision makers for their implementation. To make the issue more challenging, these...

We're probably out of compliance but who's counting? (software copyright regulations)
July 1, 1996... It is so tempting to make just a few more copies of that program. After all, we only use our one licensed copy for a few hours a week, so why pay for another when on rare occasion we need two people to work with it at the same time? And doesn't...