Finally I'm Done!!!

Just added the second final research paper for MMIS 621 to my Wiki at mmis.pbwiki.com, the paper is titled "Do IT yourself: Web 2.0 & SaaS" and it's all about new web based technologies infiltrating the corporate workspace. Pretty interesting, please read and tell me what you think.

What is Web 2.0 anyway???

In case you're still thinking about it here's the abstract:


"The next generation web applications, user content driven collaboration tools, and software-as-a-service (SaaS) are all examples of a technology trend that is sweeping the corporate environment and IT departments causing much tension between IT managers and users. The managers in charge of business units are finding this new technology much easier and faster to implement, saving them time and increasing their efficiency. However IT managers are not always excited to lose control of technology, in may cases the choices made by non-technical managers can have unintended consequences if a proper evaluation of criteria is not performed."



Enjoy reading!

Second generation web apps get smarter!

So we've all heard about how Web 2.0 applications are creeping into the work space but usually under the radar. IT and project managers usually struggle to keep them in compliance and to find a way to get what they want out of product. With certain new web apps however the vendors and developers are getting ahead and finding ways to adapt their products to make them more appealing to the project manager by adding features. Some of these smart designs allow PMs to get a better projection of time lines by allowing more fluid date ranges and "best/worst-case-scenarios". These metrics are more realistic because they mimic real life project management, I know a few project managers who would embrace this idea right away, maybe it's time to upgrade from MS Project?

Deliverable Set A [aka assign-6]

MMIS 621 Information Systems Project Management
Deliverable Set A [aka assign-6] (50 points MAX)
STUDENT NAME: Abdulhayy Johnson
DATE: 5/3/2008

Topic: Challenges IT departments face with Web 2.0 technologies.

Blog: http://mmis621aj.blogspot.com/

Title: Web 2.0, Friend or Foe?






TABLE OF CONTENTS


STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM................................... 2
Statement of the Problem................................................. 2
Solution ............................................................................. 2
Relevance........................................................................... 2
Expectation for Practice................................................... 2
OUTLINE........................................................................... 2
REFERENCE LIST............................................................ 2


STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Statement of the Problem
A variety of web based content management systems, collaboration tools and other internet software services targeted at corporate end users (sometimes referred to as Web 2.0) pose a threat to IT staff and corporate data. Conry-Murray points out potential risks such as the exposure of sensitive information, theft of intellectual property, non-compliance with corporate or third party requirements, liability issues and data recovery/backup issues (Conry-Murray, 2008).
Solution:
Forward thinking IT professionals understand the need to relinquish some control over users and their content in the best interest of cost and creativity. Web 2.0 has unlimited benefits that outweigh the potentially complicated risks to IT, and like outsourcing should inevitably provide long term relief on the budget. Compatibility and compliance have always been issues with new technology and platforms, but as in the past software developers always come up with plug-ins and extensions (Dornan, 2007) to make products work together until a common set of standards are agreed on by vendors and industry leaders.
Relevance:
The acceptance or resistance of new corporate user trends will have an important effect on the technology industry either way.
Expectation for Practice:
Technology in the corporate environment exists to serve a business purpose. If the employees have a choice it’s almost inevitable that they will opt for the faster solution with more freedom and less time waiting to get the projected approved and implemented by the IT department.

OUTLINE
· Statement of the Problem
· Solution
· Relevance
· Expectation for Practice

REFERENCE LIST

Conry-Murray, A., (2008, April 21). Cat-herding nightmare.
InformationWeek, 182(1), p.30.

Dornan, A., (2007, October 29). Growing pains.
InformationWeek, 160(1), p.43.

Web 2.0, Friend or Foe?

This is already a huge topic in IT today. We read about it everywhere online and it weekly publications. There seems to be a tug of war going on between IT departments and IT users. On one side we have the CIOs, IT directors and IT staff. On the opposite side we have the users, those who use the systems and collaborate to design and develop the content or data. Both are hard working groups of people, IT wants to maintain control over systems they have to support while users want the freedom to use software and services anywhere on the internet as long as it helps them get the job done. And therein lies the dillema.