Exploring AWS for Management Information Systems: Beyond Certification

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Over the past five years, I've helped students around the world prepare for AWS certification exams and launch their cloud careers. While teaching to the test provided a focused approach in a limited timeframe, my new role as an Assistant Professor of MIS at Ohio University allows me to broaden my perspective and explore AWS services through the lens of Management Information Systems.

This shift in focus means I will be examining AWS technologies not just for certification instruction, but with a stronger emphasis on their practical applications in business contexts. The goal is to explore the AWS resources that can be used to create better business value and eliminate the limitations associated with traditional computing models. Some areas of that focus are as follows:

AREA 1: NO-CODE/LOW-CODE VS TRADITIONAL CODING

While knowing some basic programming fundamentals is beneficial for communication and collaboration, MIS and business professionals are not expected to be software engineers or programmers. AWS recognizes this and provides several no-code and low-code solutions.

• Amazon Lex builds interfaces into applications using voice and text, enabling developers to create chatbots without extensive coding.
• Amazon QuickSight allows users to create visualizations and perform ad-hoc analysis without needing deep technical skills.

These tools enable rapid application development and prototyping, contrasting with traditional coding approaches that require more technical expertise. By leveraging these no-code/low-code solutions, MIS professionals can focus on solving business problems and creating value, rather than getting bogged down in complex programming tasks.

AREA 2: MANAGED VS UNMANAGED SERVICES

Managed services allow businesses to focus on innovation rather than infrastructure management, offering benefits such as reduced operational overhead, enhanced security, improved availability, and cost optimization.

Database Services

• Amazon RDS (Relational Database Service) is a managed database service that supports multiple database engines like MySQL, PostgreSQL, and Oracle. It handles routine database tasks such as provisioning, patching, backups, and scaling.
• Amazon DynamoDB is a fully managed NoSQL database service that provides fast and predictable performance with seamless scalability.

Storage Services

• Amazon S3 (Simple Storage Service) is an object storage service that offers industry-leading scalability, data availability, security, and performance.
• Amazon EFS (Elastic File System) provides a simple, serverless, set-and-forget elastic file system for use with AWS Cloud services and on-premises resources.

Analytics and Machine Learning

• Amazon Kinesis makes it easy to collect, process, and analyze real-time streaming data.
• Amazon SageMaker is a fully managed machine learning platform that enables developers and data scientists to build, train, and deploy machine learning models quickly.

Managed services help organizations streamline operations and drive innovation by offloading infrastructure management, allowing them to focus on their core business objectives.

AREA 3: DATA VISUALIZATION AND ANALYSIS TOOLS

Data visualization and analysis tools play a crucial role in modern business intelligence and management information systems. They help organizations extract valuable insights from their data and make informed decisions.

Key AWS Tools for Data Analysis and Visualization

• Amazon Athena enables analyzing data directly in Amazon S3 using SQL, allowing users to query large datasets without the need for complex data warehousing solutions.
• Amazon Redshift allows users to run complex queries and perform data analysis at scale.

Last week, I had the opportunity to present at Ohio University's Information Systems and Analytics Professionals (ISAP) event, where I introduced students to how Amazon Web Services (AWS) is transforming the field of Management Information Systems.

During the presentation, I introduced students to valuable resources for beginning their cloud journey:

• AWS Educate: A free program providing learning content and AWS credits.
• AWS Skill Builder: A free platform offering digital training and resources.
• AWS Free Tier: Allowing hands-on experience (with caution about potential charges).

Exploring AWS through an MIS-focused lens, students can gain a comprehensive understanding of how cloud technologies are reshaping business operations and decision-making processes. Focusing on business-relevant AWS services while considering certifications, MIS and business professionals can develop a well-rounded skill set that combines practical knowledge with recognized credentials, enhancing their ability to leverage AWS for business value.

As I settle into my role at Ohio University, I'm excited for future opportunities to help convey the value and opportunities with AWS to the community. If you are interested in starting your cloud journey today, below are the links I provided during my presentation to set up free AWS Educate and AWS Skill Builder accounts.