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Information technology has been introduced in companies at a rapid pace. For a company to succeed in global competition, understanding technologies and the data obtained from them is crucial. The bachelor's programme students of the School of Business practised working in this business environment at the Management Information Systems course, also known as MIS.

'At the course, students get a cross-section of how new technologies and the data obtained with them shape today's business environment', describes Senior University Lecturer Johanna Bragge.

'The students will also get to practise the use of the latest software and conduct visual data analyses as well as practise, for instance, online-based decision-making in a group'

At the course, the students complete a certificate to IBM's Watson Analytics software on an open online course by BigDataUniversity.com. The software enables independently producing and processing analytics of large datasets.

'The user interface of Watson Analytics is designed for regular business users and also does not require programming skills from students in making analyses. Nevertheless, we do also study the basics of programming in this course with the gamified 'codeacademy' learning platform', Bragge says.

Kari Härkönen from Marimekko lectured about successful management of an online shop. "By choosing the right partners, the manager adds value. Aim high!", Härkönen said.

Many corporate guests at the lectures

Nearly each teaching situation is visited by a company representative who tells the students about the digital environment in detail from his or her personal perspective. Kari Härkönen, Chief Digital Officer of Marimekko, gave a lecture to the students on the successful management of an online shop.

Härkönen, who came to Marimekko from Zalando via Sanoma Digital, shared useful tips with the students on the trends of online shops as well as related technical solutions and tools. He also challenged the students to consider how to make the best possible profit out of an online shop. The second and third year students quickly listed various methods, from a pleasant user experience all the way to different means of payment.

As a graduate of the School of Business, Härkönen is glad to return to share his competence among the students. 'The dialogue with the students is the best thing about this. At the same time, I also learned how many young people use online services and what they think about them.'

In addition to Härkönen, guest lecturers have come from Sanoma Media Finland, IBM and Fujitsu, among others. For instance, the visitors have explained the students about the success factors of digital transformation, the Internet of Things, cognitive computing and core applications of a company, which form the foundation on which all the newer methods will also eventually be based.

Peik Hämekoski

'It is truly great that the company representatives come to the course to tell about their core areas', describes student Peik Hämekoski. He is a third year student at the School of Business and aims to become a startup entrepreneur.

'The course provides tools that we can use in the world of employment. The focus is not only on theory, but also on practical learning.'

What did Hämekoski learn from Kari Härkönen? 'Testing is the be-all and end-all of an online shop. In the end, the consumer is the one deciding what works.'

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Photos Lasse Lecklin