strategic computing and communications technology ba 290d, eecs 201, is 224 spring 99 introduction...
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StrategicComputing and Communications
Technology
BA 290D, EECS 201, IS 224Spring 99
Introduction
David G. Messerschmitt
Hal R. Varian
Strategic technology Spring 992
Outline
• Motivation and objectives
• Summary of course content
• Student responsibilities
• Grading
• Administrative
Strategic technology Spring 993
Course materials
• Books– Shapiro and Varian: Information Rules, A
Strategic Guide to the Network Economy– Messerschmitt, Networked Applications: A
Guide to the New Computing Infrastructure.
• Lectures– http://www.sims.berkeley.edu/courses/is224/s99
Strategic technology Spring 994
Motivation
• Engineering and computer science students:– Successful product positioning and design requires
consideration of many important non-technical issues
– E.g. economics, law, policy
• Management students:– Computer and communication technologies have some
special issues and challenges for high-tech managers
Strategic technology Spring 995
Motivation (con’t)
• Information management students:– Considerable overlap of information and software in
management challenges
– Technology is infrastructure for information management
Strategic technology Spring 996
Objectives
• Appreciate and understand non-technical issues that– Arise from special characteristics of high-tech
– Leave their imprint on the industry
– Impact product positioning and design
• Appreciate strategies for success in information and high-tech products
• Bring together computer science, engineering, business, and information management students to learn from one another
• Remain focused on the interaction of technical and non-technical factors (rather than either in isolation)
Strategic technology Spring 997
Scope
• Information content
• Software– Applications– Infrastructure
• Hardware– Including bundled software
• Network and other infrastructure
Strategic technology Spring 998
Increasing importance of non-technical factors
• Increasingly the focus is more on “what to do” rather than “how to do it”– Compare architects and civil engineers
• More commercial (market driven), less military
• Deregulation of communications
• Convergence of communications and computing, affecting both industries irrevocably– Focus on standardization in computing due to enterprise and
commerce applications
– Focus on competition and rapid innovation in communications
Strategic technology Spring 999
Importance of non-technical factors (con’t)
• Economics effects:– Information and software economics
– Network effects, lock-in, winner-take-all
– Open systems and standardization
• Changing role of government– Regulation and antitrust
– Encryption, privacy
– Research funding
– Intellectual property
Strategic technology Spring 9910
Importance of non-technical factors (con’t)
• Changing industry structure– Vertical stovepipe to horizontal layering
– Increasing fragmentation
– Greater role of startups
– Strategic importance of intellectual property
– Collaboration, consortia, standardization, etc.
• Changing nature of the job– Everyone must be flexible, broad, interdisciplinary, and strategic
in small companies
Strategic technology Spring 9911
Major topics
• Changing industry structure• Buyers and sellers• Economic obstacles to change• Standardization, alliances, consortia• Intellectual property• Research support• Government intervention• Examples
Strategic technology Spring 9912
Student responsibilities
• Participate in class discussion (10%)• Participate in online forums (15%)• Two group projects (60%)
– Choose a product category or industry and apply strategic analysis from course
– Develop both sides of a controversial issue
• “Give example” assignments (15%)• Readings (books, Web, other)
Strategic technology Spring 9913
Classroom activity
• Lectures on major topics of the reading– But rely heavily on readings
• Discussion of examples and controversial issues– Supplemented by online forum
• Outside speakers (faculty, industry)
• Project debates
Strategic technology Spring 9914
Administrative
• MBA class representative• http://www.sims.berkeley.edu/courses/is224/s99/
– Follow for announcements• is224@sims.berkeley.edu: mailing list
• Class forum will be set up on www.delphi.com• Group project and speaker (faculty, industry) topic
ideas welcome
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