ISNE 101Dr. Ken Cosh

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Dr. Ken Cosh drkencosh@gmail.com Facebook – “Ken Cosh” 0869176770

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Information Systems

“Interrelated components working together to collect, process, store and disseminate information to support decision making, coordination, control, analysis and visualisation in an organisation.” (Laudon)

Key: Collecting (Input), Processing, Disseminating (Output) ‘Information’. But what is Information?

From Data to Wisdom

Data: symbols Information: data that are processed to be useful; provides

answers to "who", "what", "where", and "when" questions Knowledge: application of data and information; answers

"how" questions Understanding: appreciation of "why" Wisdom: evaluated understanding.

(Ackoff)

What is an Information System?

“An information system can be any organised combination of people, hardware, software, communications networks, and data resources that collects, transforms and disseminates information in an organisation.” (O’Brien).

What is Information Technology?

Technologies are ‘devices’ which can assist with the working of the information system; Paper and Pencil (Hardware) Word of Mouth (Communication Networks) Filing Cabinet (Data Resource)

Mostly we will be interested in computer based technology.

What is a System?

“Group of interrelated or interacting elements forming a unified whole.” (O’Brien) Physical Systems (Weather Systems, Solar Systems) Biological Systems (Human body) Educational Systems (Schools, Universities) Information Systems…

Systems Systems have 3 basic

elements; Input: the ‘things’ which

enter the system, (food, orbits, high / low pressure systems, data)

Processing: transformation process to convert input into output, (breathing, mathematical calculations)

Output: Transferring the transformed elements to their ultimate destination, (Physical movements, information)

Input

Output

Processing

Feedback and Control The System becomes

more useful when there is Feedback and Control; Feedback: data about

system performance Control: monitoring

and evaluating feedback to determine whether the system is moving towards achieving it’s goal and then adjusting where necessary.

Input

Output

Processing Feedback& Control

System Example

A Thermostat self-regulating Air Conditioning. Input: Current room temperature. Processing: Comparison with desired temperature Output: Either On or Off Feedback & Control: Ability of human user to adjust temperature.

Further System Concepts Sub-systems

Systems rarely exist within a vacuum, they are normally part of some environment (or greater system).

Interfacing Systems Often multiple systems share the same

environment, in which case they often interact / have shared interfaces

The output of one system could be the input of the next (stock control figures are passed as input to sales department).

Adaptive Systems Some systems have the ability to change itself or

it’s environment in order to survive.

Information Systems

Collects data inputs, transforms them into information outputs and disseminates the information around an organisation.

Remember O’Brien’s quote? “An information system can be any organised

combination of people, hardware, software, communications networks, and data resources that collects, transforms and disseminates information in an organisation.”

Information Systems are comprised of 5 major types of resource; People, Hardware, Software, Communication, Data

A Computer…for Dummies!

Input Devices Keyboard, Mouse, Microphone,

Scanner… Output Devices

Monitor, Printer, Speaker… Processor

CPU Storage Capabilities

Main memory (RAM), Secondary memory (Hard Disk, CD’s etc.)

Information System Resources

People Hardware Software Data Network (Communication)

People Resources

End Users - the people who use the information systems. E.g. Customers, salespeople, engineers, clerks, accountants, all of us!

IS Specialists - the people who develop, implement and maintain the information systems. E.g. software developers, analysts, support staff.

Hardware Resources

Physical, Tangible devices & materials used in information processing. Machines - PC’s, monitors, printers etc. Media - disks, printouts, paper etc.

Software Resources

Information Processing Instructions Programs (system, application software)

OS, word processing, spreadsheets, databases, payroll etc. Procedures (Operating Instructions)

Data Entry procedures, paycheck distribution procedures

Data Resources

Databases Knowledge Bases

Data vs Information? Data - Raw material resources Information - Processed data into meaningful product.

Network Resources

Communication Media Cables, fibre optics, cellular, wireless

Network Support Technologies to support the network, modems, internet browsers etc.

Vital Roles of IS within Business

Support of Business Processes and Operations Help with automating processes

Support of Decision Making by its employees and managers Ensure necessary information is available to make

decisions Support of its strategies for competitive

advantage Drive an organisation’s strategy

Changing Role of IS

IS is performing an increasingly important role within organisations, that role is changing. Technology Push effects Business Pull effects

Technology - ‘Push’

Increased Capability Improved Processing & Storage Improved Connection

Networks Internet

Comparative Cost reductions

Source: Source: McFarlanMcFarlan, Warren F., , Warren F., Tale of Two Airlines in the Information Age: Or Why the Spirit of King George III is AliveTale of Two Airlines in the Information Age: Or Why the Spirit of King George III is Aliveand Well !and Well ! Teaching Note, Copyright © 1995 President and Fellows Harvard College Teaching Note, Copyright © 1995 President and Fellows Harvard College

THE ECONOMICS OF COMPUTERSTHE ECONOMICS OF COMPUTERS

Year Cost Power ‘66

1966 $10,000,000 1

2001 $7 1,508,002

2006 $0.87 11,508,821

2016 $0.01 670,329,823

Gresham’s Law even faster

Tale of Two Airlines TN, Slide 3 of 6Tale of Two Airlines TN, Slide 3 of 6

Source: Applegate, Lynda M., Robert D. Austin, and F. Warren McFarlan., Corporate Information Strategy and Management. Burr Ridge, IL: McGraw-Hi ll /Irwin, 2002.

1

10

100

1,000

10,000

100.000

1,000,000

1980 1990 1996

PCs and wo rks tations

Main frame

Ada pte d from: McKenn ey, J., Wa ves o f C ha nge : Bu sine ss Evo lutio n th rou gh Info rmatio n Tech no log y , Bosto n: Ha rvard Bu sin ess Sch oo l Pre ss , 1 99 5.

Pric e Pe rformanc e Tre nds o f Mainframes and PCs $/MIP s

*Rat io of MIPs per Dollars (Mainframes:PCs)

8:1*

286:1*

900:1*

Evolution of Computing Performance

Introduction Figure I-1

Business - ‘Pull’

Factors encouraging organisations to increase their use of I.T. Political Factors Economic Factors Social Factors Technological Factors

Changing Role of IT in Organisations

4 Era’s of Technology DP Era (Data Processing) MIS Era (Management Information Systems) SIS Era (Strategic Information Systems) Internet Era

DP Era (50’s-60’s)

Purpose : AUTOMATE Form : Mainframe Limitations : Hardware Focus : Programming Ownership : Computer Dept., Remote from

users Objectives : lower costs, make use of

technology

MIS Era (70’s-80’s)

Purpose : INFORMATE Form : Distributed Processing - PC’s Limitations : Software Focus : Identifying User’s needs Ownership : Regulated by management,

available as service Objectives :Supporting management, meeting

users’ needs

SIS Era (80’s-90’s)

Purpose : TRANSFORMATE Form : Networking Limitations : Management Vision Focus : Identifying Business Opportunities Ownership : Executives, Linked to business

functions Objectives : Supporting Business, meeting

business needs.

Internet Era (Now!)

Purpose : ???...MATE Form : Internet Limitations : ??? Viability of Business Models Focus : ??? Reach and Range Ownership : Everyone - central to whole

business Objectives : it IS the business.