Customer Reviews: Read 4 more reviews...
 Excellent General Overview of the IT Industry as of 1/06. January 17, 2006
SuccessEssence (Seattle, WA)
22 out of 25 found this review helpful
I have never left a review on Amazon before (I've been a customer since 1997) and had no intention of doing so, when I initially searched this book description for some unrelated information.
However, after reading the previous two reviews related to this book I now feel compelled to give my review. Neither of the previous reviews had anything even remotely substantive regarding the actual material in the book. The only pertinent information the previous two reviewers touched upon concerned a typo. I challenge anyone to show me a 700+ page textbook that doesn't contain at least one typo.
The rest of the review pertains to the reviewer trying to grind an axe with regard to US programmers (which I am not). Maybe if he actually read the book, he would've left a different review. The other review is concerning a vendor/shipping issue.
I give this book 5 stars because I feel it is a good general overview source concerning the Information Technology industry at the time of this posting (1/06).
This book is well written and laid out in a very systematical and logical format, which allows the reader to reference the book "ala carte" style. If I want a refresher on networking or databases relating to the corporate world from a managerial perspective, this is a great source.
If you are looking to learn the latest version of Oracle or become certified in Linux, then I suggest looking elsewhere.
Good Introductory April 3, 2006
Joseph Villapaz (USA)
10 out of 11 found this review helpful
This isn't a bad text for an introduction to management in IT. It's not technical and certainly places emphasis on managing IT infrastructures. If you're moving up from being a follower to directing and managing employees and departments, then this book may help to get you a glimpse into it.
a great overview September 21, 2007
A. Alsubaiei (TX)
This book gives a wide range of information in different area in information system.
the good thing is that it include example from life where the person can understand the topic.
may some time include extra information that the begginner doesn't need, but overall the book is great.
I recommend it for people who do'n't have any backgroud in IT
 good for beginning textbook for students in software engineering and information systems January 25, 2008
VVA (Skopje, MK)
I tried to use this book as a textbook for an introductory course in Information systems I taught this semester. At our University this course is just the first one in a series that leads towards an BSc in Informatics -- Information Systems.
Before taking this course in the 3rd year, students are already rich with programming experience in at least 3 other courses, have already learnt object-oriented programming, algorithms, architecture, networks, databases, web technologies etc.
So, in my point of view this book is pretty good for students that are already learning programming and software engineering in other courses and from other books and when they don't have a clue in what ways the big enterprises can get a value from their programming efforts. It is especially good when you are trying to explain that information systems strategy and politics is just as and even more important for the success than the perfect piece of software they created.
The book is full with real-world examples of both success and failure of information systems practice in companies like Daimler-Chrysler, Procter and Gamble, MNG, Coca-cola, etc ... The students found that the examples were rather interesting and maybe the best part of this book.
It is rather easy to read ... it took me in total 4-5 hours of reading per chapter until fully understanding all of it.
 Poorly organized, boring, decent content March 21, 2008
George Coppedge (Czech Republic)
I'm an IT professor and have used this book to teach a previous class a year or so ago. While the contents provide a sufficient overview of the IT function and case studies for grad-level students, it is unfortunately very dry stuff for most students. It is also poorly organized.
Having used other textbooks for undergrads, this book fails in comparison. What my (and presumably all) business students are looking for are more immediately actionable knowledge, practical skills, and a much more compelling presentation. (The Technology in Action series is outstanding in all these respects!)
Hopefully, the Laudons will 'sexify' their new textbooks with more flash and interesting content. If Apple, Nokia, Sony, Google, and other firms can make tech ultra-cool, I don't see why we can't have IT textbooks to match them.
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