Chapter 1 Section IIFundamentals of Information

Systems• What is a system as it relates to Information

Systems?

• A system is defined as a group of interrelated components working together to achieve a goal by accepting inputs and producing outputs in an organized transformation process

System Basics

• Systems (sometimes called dynamic systems) have THREE basic components

• 1. Inputs- Involves capturing and assembling elements that enter the system to be processed

• 2. Processing- Transformation from input to output

Cont.

• 3. Output- Delivery of inputs that have been transformed into useable information to the desired user or destination

Feedback and Control

• Cybernetic system- A system that is self-monitoring and self-regulating

• Feedback- Information or data about the performance of the system

• Control- Monitoring and evaluation of feedback data and the ability to make adjustments if the system is not performing as designed

Additional System Characteristics

• Subsystem: A part of an entire system

• System Boundary: Separation point between systems

• Interface: Common access point for many systems

• Open System: A system that operates with other systems in its environment

Cont.

• Adaptive System: A system with the ability to change itself

Information System Components

• People

• Hardware

• Software

• Network

• Data

• These are the five elements that must be present in all information systems

People

• Two types

• End users- People who use information systems to complete work or tasks

• Information Systems specialists- People who design and develop information systems

Hardware

• Defined as the physical resources used in an information system

• Machines- Physical devices such as computers, monitors, modems, keyboards

• Media- Hard copies of data (diskettes, Compact Discs, magnetic tape, paper)

Software

• Programs- An organized set of instructions that tell the computer to perform tasks

• Procedures- Instruction sets for users to complete tasks

• Examples:– Operating Systems (control file access)– Applications software (Microsoft Word)

Network Resources

• Telecommunications networks (connection between two or more hardware resources)

• Two types of network resources– Communications media (wire, cable, infrared,

radio frequency, fiber optic)– Network support (include all elements of

information system and special software for networking)

Data Resources

• Typically two types of data resources– Databases- organized collection of data– Knowledge bases- collection of information

about data, procedures, business rules

Data Vs. Information

• Data is a raw fact or observation about something

• Information is processed data that is meaningful and useful for users.

Flow of an Information System

• Input of data resource

• Processing of data into information

• Output of information

• Data storage

• Evaluation and control of system performance

Trends in InformationSystems

• Figure 1.24 (page 31)

• Different eras have led us in a circle

Basic form ofInformation Systems

• Two main classifications– Operations Support Systems- Used to process

information used in general business (functional, operational, etc)

– Management Support Systems- Focus on the information needs of managers to plan, organize, direct, and control a business

Operation Support Systems

• Transaction Processing Systems - process data generated daily, etc., according to the business

• Batch Processing - Data processed after a specified amount of time has passed

• Realtime or Online Processing - Immediate processing of data

OSS cont.

• Process Control Systems - Systems that automate and monitor a process (oil refinery, energy management)

• Enterprise collaboration - Work getting completed because of enabling systems

Management SupportSystems

• Provide information for managerial decision making– Strategic - Top level management– Tactical - Middle level management– Operating - Supervisory or front line

management

MIS concept

• Vital for effective and efficient information systems– Management orientation - support of

managerial decision making– Systems framework - Should be used for

organizing information systems. Applications should be interrelated and integrated

Major forms of Management Information

Systems• Management Information Systems

• Decision Support Systems

• Executive Support Systems

• Expert Systems

• Artificial Intelligence

• Knowledge Management

• Strategic Information Systems