Business Systems Books

a great book for any flash student with superb examples . a must for anyone connected to computers..

This is a quite thorough book that picks up where Mohler's intro book leaves off. It's written as if a Flash instructor literally transcribed his class presentations, which is good and bad. Explanations are long, but at times are wordy and dull. It will remind you at times of tedious homework assignments and drills. There is quite a bit of slogging through pages with only two or three long paragraphs with no Flash code. That's not bad, but it's a sign that an editor probably could have tightened up the writing here.

Also, these authors need to lighten up and learn to write! The tone they take is often "academic", with all the snobbiness and overuse of big words and long sentences that comes with that. Often it's clear that one or the other of the two authors has written a particular passage--and there are some awful clunkers there. Better instructors and writers strive for a more human, friendly tone.

Also, there are coding techniques that seem to me not to reflect current or common Flash coding practice, like the frequent use of the eval() function and the set() function (which I've *never* seen other advanced Flash authors use).

One good thing: the two long projects in the book are kind of neat, definately better than in some other big Flash books.

I'm a beginning flash user, and I picked this book up as a follow up to Mohler's first book. Even though it explores advanced scripting, the explanations are clear enough for beginners like myself to understand. I actually understand OOP because of the great dog class example. There are some really great examples on the cd-rom. It's so helpful to have an actual Flash file to play with, so I can see exactly how it works.

I bought this book a couple of weeks ago and I love it. It has tons of examples in the CD. It is a great book to learn complex actionscripting.

Firstly, the first review of this book on this page is by Goodloe Suttler who is actually acknowleged in the book so should have mentioned this in his review, unless this is a stunning coincidence.

However, his review is correct. This book extends the previous version (A New American TQM) and adds valuable new material. I found A New American TQM was in my top 5 Quality Books list - an excellent read. Four Practical Revolutions takes its place.

Highly recommended for its practical advice and comprehensive coverage of all aspects of quality improvement.

The success or failure of the design process depends on the organization within which it is embedded. An individual or group may bear the title "designer," but design responsibility is located in a team. Design teams include managers whose responsibilities cut across and link the comprehensive range of functions in an organization. These range from sourcing, supply, engineering, and operations, to logistics, marketing, and customer service. They may even include finance or advertising. Successful designers participate in a managerial process and understanding the flow of work through an industrial organization is the key to successful design.

This book offers a structured overview of a total design process. The process identifies and solves problems to create or improve goods and services. The total design process incorporates and transcends the limited process of designing a functional artifact or service. Shiba and Walden address the challenge of shaping organizational knowledge, skill, and behavior to account for the total design process. This necessarily includes designing the systems that implement design. This is a managerial task, and this book addresses design process from a managerial and engineering perspective.

The book is divided into five parts. The first considers the evolution of business and the way that organizations today must work to meet social needs. The next four sections address the four practical revolutions that make this possible. These are customer focus, continuous improvement, total participation, and societal networking. The authors operationalize the four revolutions through specific tools and useful approaches. They give careful, effective descriptions of dozens of methods for management, problem solving, and skills development.

Specific tools and approaches described here include the 7-step reactive approach to problem solving, the 9-step project planning method, and the Hoshin Management system, along with strategies and tactics for specific applications. The approach is methodically pluralist and action-oriented, supported by a rich series of case studies and a 315-item bibliography.

This book is highly recommended. It should be in every design school library.

Shoji Shiba is a professor of business administration at Tsukuba University in Japan and at the Sloan School at MIT. David Walden is editor of the Center for Quality of Management Journal.

Book review published in Design Research News, Volume 6, Number 7, Jul 2001 ISSN 1473-3862

In my past role work in manufacturing operations and in my current role as a sofware product manager, I can honestly say that the techniques and ideas in these books are invaluable and can be put to practicle use everyday on the job.

I have read many hundreds of book on management, on quality improvement, and on other more specific business-related topics. But I have never read a business book as comprehensive & thorough as the new Shiba/Walden edition. The authors have amply demonstrated what improvement is all about by taking their original book and seamlessly integrating 10 years of their active learning on related and new topics. This masterful work will be of particular importance to senior and middle managers who need quick access to the definitive reference manual for improvement thinking and practical, proven methods. This book towers above all others in the field ..... a 'must-have' for anyone who is serious about improvement work.

Drawing from a wealth of success in balancing business requirements with IT solutions, the authors of "From Business Strategy to IT Action" have identified the elements required to keep IT budgets in-line with the overall goals of the business. As many IT managers know it is easy to get caught up in the swirl surrounding keeping the "lights on" and lose focus about using technology to bring value to the organization in ways that help achieve the goals necessary to move the organization forward. I particularly liked the chapter devoted to discussing the culture of an organization. As they point out, losing sight of the bottom-line is easy when organizations get hung up on the culture of the institution and continue to do things the old way rather than routinely evaluating the goals of the organization with an eye toward improvement. To quote them, "New Information Economics (NIE) is a set of practices and principles for moving from business strategy to IT action to bottom-line impact". To me this means staying focused on the business of the organization and not getting caught up in thinking that IT is in business for itself.

This book provides solid, rational, and most importantly, actionable guidance for managers and executives faced with the challenge of identifying, evaluating, and prioritizing their IT spend. The authors provide a concise, structured framework which leads the reader through a step-by-step process to make reasoned decisions about both steady state ("lights on") expenditures and new project investments. The writing style is clear, fluid, and easily digestible. Each chapter includes fact-filled charts and diagrams to make the concepts come alive, along with a chapter summary, targeted questions, plus additional reading references. From defining goals, asking the penetrating "right questions," through charting a path to implementation, this truly is a guidebook to learning how to control spending while concurrently maximizing the impact on your bottom line. This book should be required reading before the beginning of your next planning cycle. Whether you've been in the IT business for a year, a decade or longer, you will undoubtedly benefit from the multiple layers of insight contained within this book. Note: I also recommend sales personnel absorb the concepts in this book -- if you understand how your customers are evaluating IT investment decisions, you can communicate the value your offerings will deliver in a manner which will better resonate with the decision maker.

Only few words to say that this book was very useful to let me introduce a clear project portfolio framework in the enterprise in which I work (bank, IT department).
"Concrete", "Best practices" are the most "plus" of this book.

A very good book!

I've read a stack of books related to this subject, and this is one of two books that I think hit the bullseye and that I recommend to peers and clients (the other is Value-Driven IT Management, ISBN 0750659254).

What I most like about this book is the highly focused, clearly defined approach to transforming strategy into action. In fact, 'action' is the main characteristic of this book, both in writing pace and in the results you can achieve if you follow the map the authors provide. Chapter 1 leads you through defining your goals that links the strategy to your bottom line. This establishes the methodology that you'll follow through the rest of the book.

Each subsequent chapter is a milestone in the process of transforming strategy into action. What I like is the consistent format, which starts with "Ask the Right Questions", then listing steps, ending with a summary. More importantly, the bottom line remains the focus of this book from start to finish. This keeps the reader's attention on the goals, business issues and costs.

The topics covered in each step represent best practices that should be present in any organization that is mature enough to undertake a business-IT alignment. For example, portfolio management, prioritization techniques, and aligning to a value chain are addressed, In addition, the challenges faced by both business and IT are uncovered, with advice on how to meet them during the process. Finally, the book sets forth the transformation process in a well ordered sequence that will get you from inception to meeting all objectives if followed. The chapters on scoring and measurement are invaluable.

One topic that makes this book exceptionally valuable is the introduction of the Business Value Maturity Model™. This model, in my opinion, is the missing link in the quest for Business-IT alignment initiatives, and one that I hope gets wider dissemination than in this book. Other aspects of the book that I especially like include the excellent use of graphs and diagrams, and the absence of empty claims and theory. The material is clear, actionable and realistic. Think of this book as both a compass and blueprint. I cannot recommend this book strongly enough, particularly to organizations that are struggling with business-IT alignment.

Step out of your typical "Quality" box and read a state-of-the-art book that will get you thinking differently! In this book Cobb pushes the envelope about quality systems thinking and argues that it's time quality professionals coalesce the many programs and international specifications offered in industry. By doing so, Cobb suggests that this integrated systems approach will be more effective and produce business results that are long lasting.

Indeed, today's quality industry has reached a quagmire of program-du-jours - Six Sigma, ISO 9001:2000, maturity tables, to name just a few - that may leave some people wondering how they all fit together to drive results. Cobb's vision, in adopting "systems thinking", says that it's ok - YES! IT'S OK!! - to not limit your company to one approach; but to pick and choose the best management tool for each situation and integrate them! His book has a number of helpful visuals such as systems roadmaps, process models, alignment of business metrics, and a lifecycle model for complex improvement initiatives. His fourth chapter "Designing Integrated Management Systems," drives home the point through examples and that our changing industry "...requires greater alignment among technology, systems, people, and organizational units."

Cobb thoroughly and efficiently describes typical programs and their linkages, and surprises the reader by addressing other enablers such as cultural and behavioral factors, knowledge management, and the strong use of cross-functional integration of metrics to drive customer value. His book does fall short, however, in citing a process for translating ever-changing incoming customer requirements into the company's integrated quality systems.

Overall, this is an excellent book to drive innovative thinking and paradigm shifts about quality and implementing change. This definitely is not your "daddy's quality system" anymore!

At last an author who doesn't claim to have a silver bullet for management. But then again maybe he does. This book covers the complete range of management topics but manages to tie it all together in a systematic way. Cobb's practical advice is to apply the best of the management techniques available to appropriate situations in your business rather than trying to home in on the current management fad. This is the first book I've read that recommends taking a systems approach to management. It capitalizes on techniques used for years in the mature field of engineering and applies them to the management discipline. He teaches one to build a management system much the way you would engineer a physical system. Concepts are explained with lots of drawings and tables that make them easy to understand. This book has practical advice, real life examples, and is a svelte 250 pages including appendicies, endnotes and the index. I highly recommend this book.

This is the first book I have read that gives real guidance to business owners and managers on the application of quality
standards and practices to genuinely improve their business operation and results. It does not concentrate on any one approach, but gives good, unbiased, advice on how to select and implement the most suitable quality management techniques that really add value. The author has done a good job researching his subject and has included some excellent case studies from well
known companies to support his argument. His conclusions are well thought out and his overall message clear.

This book is for "enlightened" managers who want to make a REAL operational difference within their company.
All material has been used in real life situations.

If management wants to take their company to an internal business excellence that will generate outstanding profitability, customer satisfaction, employee commitment and inherent continuous improvement, they need only two things...

1) ACTIVE commitment/participation from senior management and,
2) the tools in this book.

Global Outsourcing with Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Team System is an excellent book and informational resource. The format is easy to follow, intuitive, and simplifies gaining an understanding of both the concept of global outsourcing as well as the software.

Note: This review gives more importance to the processes than the other obvious benefits.

Who should read this book?
- On-site coordinators
- Off-shore managers
- Process managers/Product Managers
- Key people involved in distributed development/outsourcing.

Why this book is useful?
- This book can be used as a process guidance for outsourcing/distributed environment.
- This book clearly identifies the day to day issues of a distributed development environment and gives options on how to mitigate the risks.
- Explains all the possible options on how efficiently VSTS can be used.
- This is very useful not only for the teams using VSTS 2005, but also for any distributed development team as this clearly gives an idea of what processes should be in place. VSTS is an all-in-one tool which helps in making the life easier.
- For companies which do not prefer to use VSTS can also leverage from the processes clearly mentioned in the book and can achieve similar efficiency by using different free tools available in the market.
- The book has shown how to customize the VSTS to suit the specific need along with the code which is very handy and reduces a lot of effort in customizing.
- More importantly, this book is very handy and easily understood by techies and non-techies alike. Non-techies can understand the processes without getting into any technical details.
- Addresses the issues faced by bigger and smaller companies and bigger or smaller teams.

Jamil Azher's GLOBAL OUTSOURCING WITH MICROSOFT VISUAL STUDIO 2005 TEAM SYSTEM tells how to manage outsourced projects using Visual Studio 2005, which engages developers, project managers and team leads alike. GLOBAL OUTSOURCING takes it examples from the real world also: it examines typical outsource management issues, applications, and problem-solving in a fine technical overview programmers will relish.

This book is indeed about global outsourcing, but it deals with the outsourcing of software not athletic shoes or kitchen ware. Specifically, as you might guess from the title, it concentrates on the use of Microsoft's Team System version of Visual Studio 2005. Other Microsoft products such as Project and Excel from the Office suite are also shown as a part of an integrated management system.

There is little question tht outsourcing is here to stay. The cost savings are simply to great to be ignored. A programmer with a few years of experience in the US is paid an average of $55K, in India $15K, and in China $9K.

There is also no question that outsourcing brings its own problems in terms of management, control and especially communications. Many of these problems are specifically discussed in the book, and it goes on to show that the Microsoft tools can assist in these areas. The tools will not, of course, guarantee success but they may help to make a project a success.

as a mid/large size bank, we buy software all the time. lots of people with different backgrounds get involved in the decision and it helps to have a few project managers and business decision makers to use this as a reference. after you do this a few times, it becomes second nature but for anyone that is doing this for the first time, this can be a help guide the project and more importantly, avoid costly mistakes.

Excellent book for both an IT professional or business manager. Presents a well planned methodology and rating method for selecting a software package. Includes plenty of examples. Also includes project planning for the selection process, RFP essentials, contract negotiations, workshops, scripted demos,...

Book has some editing problems but they are minor compared to the overall content of the book.

Nathan Hollander is an excellant author of this great guide to software package evaluation & selection. It is great for those new to the computer world and also for those entrenched in the computer sciences. This guide is easy to follow and with its great detail allows the reader to understand the R2Isc method. Personally, I use this book as a guide and quick refference as well as recomending it to my students. Hollander is gold with this, his third guide, and I recomend the use of this book to anyone interested in expanding their knowledge of computers.

This book provides both selection criteria and a process in which to apply them. It's based on the author's R2ISC method. This method stands for Requirements (current and future), Implementability, Supportability and Cost. Both the criteria and the process are provided in detail and in a step-by-step approach, which has the following benefits:

(1) Ensures that the major selection factors are thoroughly examined.
(2) Reduces cost and technical risks by examining those aspects of the selection.
(3) Addresses the alignment of requirements to business needs, which is often overlooked when IT is entrusted to perform selections (the main failure I've observed is that IT gets too caught up in technical details and features without looking at the way packages support business requirements - this book's approach will prevent that from happening if followed).

Criteria in more detail are:
- Current requirements: how well does the package being evaluated map to current
business needs
- Future requirements: can the package being evaluated be modified to support future business needs (which you will need to forecast).
- Implementability: what is required to implement the package (how well does it fit into your existing technical environment and strategic technology plan)
- Supportability: How much training is required? Are special skills needed that need to be hired or contracted? Are there impacts to existing systems, processes and workload?
- Cost: TCO - total cost of ownership. What will ongoing support, including vendor contracts, cost. This is where the real surprises emerge because the initial costs of a package are but a fraction of the true cost.

The R2ISC process is straightforward and looks deceptively easy at a high level. It consists of the following Set the Goal (rate each package under evaluation against the R2ISC criteria), Narrow the Field (the short list), Select the Winner and Sign the Contract. The last step is the one that is fraught with peril and can undo the best evaluation if the contract is improperly negotiated. The book gives excellent pointers.

If you are faced with software selection this book will give you a clear set of criteria and a process. Be aware that the approach looks easier on paper than it is in practice. This is not a criticism of the book or the approach, both of which are excellent, but a warning that the process takes hard work and due diligence - two ingredients that no book can provide.

This handbook is great. It structures all possible systems of MIS shows in a short box the main differences and advantages per system and puts the findings together. If is very helpfull for looking up systems and it also mentions the softwares being usfull.

I have read Bidgoli's publication, Handbook of Management Information Systems: A Managerial Perspective: This book provides an thorough coverage of major information systems topics. The book steers clear of technical details by emphasizing the managerial perspective of information systems issues. Written for those who are just entering the management field or for seasoned veterans, this book is the bible of information systems management. If you are looking for an easy to understand information systems book that covers all the critical areas of the technology field, this is the one! I highly recommend this book to students, managers, and executives of both public and private organizations.

Hossein Bidgoli, in his 1999 publication, Handbook of Management Information Systems; A Managerial Perspective, addresses a wide range of MIS topics ranging from Information Systems Basics to an in-depth discussion of emerging artificial intelligence technologies such as Fuzzy Logic, Expert Systems, Natural Language Processing and Neural Networks. The author uses his extensive knowledge of the educational process to convey critical information to managers, as well as future managers, of both large and small businesses. Through in-depth discussion and accompanying real life examples, Professor Bidgoli presents the information in an easy to comprehend manner. Just like his other publications, it is comprehensive, easy to follow and a real learning experience. The Handbook of Management Information Systems; A Managerial Perspective is a must read for both IT managers and IT students. I have read this book and have learned a worldview of this fascinating field. Try it yourself! I highly recommend this book for both professional and educational use. *****

It is an excellent peace of comprehensive MIS work. As an IS professional, I have used this book as a reference on several occasions. The subject matter comprises all aspects of managing an Information Systems environment. It covers complete IS industry from the core database principles to front end applications. The book also includes advanced topics such as Artificial Intelligence, Genetic Algorithms and Neural Networks, examples of which are becoming prevalent in this industry. I would highly recommend this book for IS managers and students who intend to have a thorough understanding and knowledge of information systems.

Very informative, I loved the real life stories about what happened with different companies and how they dealt with different situations.

A breakthrough book.Definitely a must have book for business owners and all managers......I had a Harry in my business so I know it is true......thanks to this book I will get more when I sell my business.....crammed with solid workable advice which worked for me....this book is written by someone who has been through the mill......excellent page layout for easy reading and your understanding....explains how vulnerable your business is......the author really reveals the solution.......wish I had read this book 20 years ago when I first started in business.....buying copies for my friends....

Most businesses do not plan for contingencies beyond major disasters like fire, flood etc. Key staff leaving are minor disasters that can cost a lot. This book is an excellent no-nonsense outlline for how to plan for this stuff and avoid the pain. One of the best business systems books since the E-Myth.

If you are in business and know that things could be better but not sure how to go about improving them, then Harry's Resigned will get your head nodding. Each page has real gems and the penny drops as you read the most comprehensive business system book I have read.
I would strongly recommend it. There are loads of ideas and if you only pick up on one, then the cover price will be a great investment. But the real secret of this book is that it is so easy to read and follow. Malcolm has done a good job.

"High-Impact Sales Force Automation: A Strategic Perspective
By Glen S. Petersen"
This media helped me make thousands of dollars from a greater margin. If you are losing money or sales, and do not know how to make a comeback, this media is guaranteed to spur your imagination.

This media contains vital information that should belong to any existing retail/service business. The info is also great for entrepreneurs who will find tools saving them time and money.

Glen Petersen did a great job.This book covers all the aspects of SFA in a technical but readable way. Must be a required reading for consultants and users alike. I will put it in my top three list about the subject.

Read this one first. This is a must read for all consultants, project managers, and executives stepping into the world of sales force automation.

While I've yet to find the definitive book on selecting and implementing a sales automation solution in a corporate environment, "High Impact Sales Force Automation" does provide an important piece to the puzzle. The book helps put sales automation into perspective and provides a solid background for those individuals charged with finding an automated solution for their organization. After reading this book, I was able to hold intelligent conversations with many of major providers of enterprise-wide solutions.

Jana High has a terrific grasp on the reality of today's business world. With so many business people being so busy, many have forgotten the niceties(actually the necessities) of life that will get you and your business where you want to be for the long haul. Many companies come out of the shoot with a flash and then fizzle to nothing - there are many reasons for this, but if you read this book, you can learn how to increase your chances for success. Learn how to respect your employees and your customers! The definition of etiquette in Webster's New World Dictionary is: manners conventionally required in society. Yes folks, a requirement, not a suggestion. Give a copy of this book to all your friends and employees! It will pay for itself ten-fold.

This is an amazing book that covers all grounds.

A book like this was needed for a long time now. I really enjoyed how it was written to include both a personal touch of narratives and professional steps to achieve proper `netiquette'. Easy reading makes for a wonderfully crafted work.

If you use e-mails, faxes, voice mails, cell phones, etc. in your everyday life (work and home), this book will have you communicating like you were trained at Windsor Castle.

"Good manners will open doors that the best education cannot." said by Clarence Thomas. I agree, and this book should have you opening those doors.

We live in the age of technology; computers, palm
pilots, faxes, cell phones, and emails are all part of most
people's lives. So how do we maximize the uses of
technology in a concise and conscientious way?
I picked up this book because I was fed up with never
knowing for sure what the rules are when it comes to
"the proper manners regarding high tech".
Communication is very difficult, made even harder by
the 'words only' content of email. Today we are
interacting primarily in email or on cell phones or even through
faxes with our customers and the management chain. It
is crucial to present one's self in the best possible
light. Mrs. High in this book adopts a wonderfully
easy reading style, that is light-hearted and yet to
the point. The author escorts you through
your improvement and growth of the utilization of
multiple high tech mediums. The more I read, the more
I wished I could just sit down and talk to this author
in person. A very interesting read by a very
interesting author. If you are a new email writer
looking for some guidance, or an old hack that has
forgotten some of the basics and needs some
improvement, then this is a great place to start.
Young people, particularly, highly oriented to
computers and email will benefit greatly from this
book. So will people in administrative roles where
writing clearly and succinctly is so critically
important in this sped-up world. In fact, I have bought
a few additional copies and given them to some of my
coworker, just as a reference tool.
Cyberspace has its own culture. To top it all off,
people from every culture are online and are
communicating more than ever before. If you have
committed social blunders and don't want to offend
others, then this is the book for you. It is etiquette
in cyberspace.

In this day where even the common verbal courtesies are forgotten, this is a great manual for learning the proper manners for using e-mail. Clear, concise and entertaining, it's a quick read filled with great advice.

Ms. High takes you easily from the basics of using e-mail including whether it's appropriate to extend invitations, send thank-you notes, or inform friends and families of a death of a friend or loved one. She touches on what seem to be areas of common sense such as salutations and closings, but items which are often forgotten.

Useful information is also given regarding emoticons and e-mail terms as well as good guidelines for sending attachments.

This book, however, is not limited to the use of e-mail. Ms. High also does a good job in covering the use of fax machines and cell phones. Her section cell phone courtesies should be mandatory reading for anyone who has or is going to buy a cell phone.

After reading this book, I was tempted to send copies off to several well-placed executives as a "gentle reminder" of good manners in the workplace and in public!