Chapter 1: An Introduction to Integrated Enterprise Information Systems

This discussion as to why enterprise systems should be integrated, why they are often not fully integrated, what types of integration are often used, and recommendations for the focal points of efforts to reengineer enterprise systems is not typically found in AIS textbooks.

Chapter 2: Representation and Patterns: An Introduction to the REA Enterprise Ontology

This coverage of representation and patterns is also a first in the AIS textbook arena. A strong link is formed for students between the real objects and activities in enterprises and the representations of those objects and activities in enterprise information systems.

Chapter 3: The REA Enterprise Ontology: Value System and Value Chain Modeling

This chapter goes beyond the business process level only coverage of the REA enterprise ontology included in most textbooks. This chapter incorporates recent REA research advances that modeling of enterprises value systems and value chains. By illustrating the high-level value system view, then drilling down demonstrate how business processes fit together to form a value chain, this chapter enables students to see the big picture of enterprises more clearly.

Chapter 4: The REA Enterprise Ontology: Business Process Modeling

Chapter 5: Task Level Modeling

Recognizing that presentation of the REA enterprise ontology only in diagram format sometimes makes it difficult for students to differentiate the REA pattern from the diagramming toolset, this chapter portrays the REA pattern for the business process level using both the traditional diagram format and an alternative grammar format. This enables students to separate the substance from the form of the REA framework.

Chapter 6: Relational Database Design: Converting Conceptual REA Models to Relational Databases

This chapter clearly delineates the differences between conceptual models, logical models, and physical implementation to enable students to understand the different types of decisions made for what to include in each. This is accomplished with a step-by-step approach used to convert conceptual models to the relational logical model and via the use of screen shot examples to illustrate the physical implementation of those logical relational tables.

Chapter 7: Information Retrieval from Relational Databases

Many concrete examples of queries using Structured Query Language and Query By Example (with screen shots) facilitate students understanding of information retrieval issues for relational databases.

Chapter 8: The Sales/Collection Business Process

Chapter 9: The Acquisition/Payment Business Process

Chapter 10: View Integration and Implementation Compromises

This chapter on view integration and implementation compromise is a first among AIS textbooks. Its placement after the first two cycle chapters enables students to immediately begin to see how the models for each separate cycle may be combined to form an integrated enterprise database.

Chapter 11: The Conversion Business Process

Chapter 12: The Human Resource Business Process

Chapter 13: The Financing Business Process

Coverage of each cycle chapter includes the complete REA pattern, with instigation, commitment, economic increment, economic decrement, and economic reversal events along with all appropriate relationships. These chapters provide extensive querying examples to facilitate students' understanding of both the design and use of REA-based information systems.

Chapter 14: Enterprise System Risks and Controls

This chapter uses the REA framework as a means for structuring students' thinking about internal controls. Such an approach may result in more complete specification and analysis of system and business process controls than would an unstructured approach.

Chapter 15: ERP Systems and E-Commerce: Intra- and Inter-Enterprise Modeling

This chapter demonstrates the relevancy of the REA enterprise ontology by placing it in the context of ongoing developments in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and Electronic commerce technologies.