Introduction to IS

Information concepts
General Systems Theory
DP, IP, IT, ICT, IS
Information Systems
supporting business
functions

Information concepts
Data
Information
Information attributes
Types of processing

Information Concepts (1)

Data vs. Information
Data
Raw facts
Distinct pieces of information,
usually formatted in a special way
Information
A collection of facts organized in
such a way that they have
additional value beyond the value
of the facts themselves

Data
Data is a collection of
facts, such as values or
measurements.
It can be numbers, words
or measurements

Examples
Data thermometer readings of temperature
taken every hour:
16.0, 17.0, 16.0, 18.5, 17.0,15.5.
Transformation

Information todays high: 18.5

todays low: 15.5

Types of Data
Data

Represented by

Alphanumeric data

Numbers, letters, and other

characters

Image data

Graphic images or pictures

Audio data

Sound, noise, tones

Video data

Moving images or pictures

Data Information

Data

Transformation

Information

Examples of processing
Sorting
Summarising
Classifying
Comparing
Calculating

Information
The processed data, which
has been given some
meaning and is useful for
decision making
Example Payroll system
Pay slips with details of
income and deductions and
net pay

Information attributes
Accuracy
Meaningfulness / Relevance
Timeliness
Adequacy
Completeness
explicitness

Accuracy
Information must be free from
errors and clear in its meaning
Accuracy means the information
is free from bias
Inaccurate information may result
in wrong decisions being made

Relevence
Information is said to be relevant
if it answers specifically to the
recipient what, where, when, who
etc.
Information supplied should be
able to meet all the needs of the
recipient to make appropriate
decisions

Timeliness
Information must reach the
recipient within prescribed time
frame (at the right time)
information delayed is
information denied
Delays affects decision making
adversely

Adequacy
Information should be of
sufficient quantity covering all
the related aspects of the
situation or event

Completeness
Information should be
complete and should satisfy
all the needs

Explicitness
Information is said to be good
quality if it does not require
further analysis by the
recipient to make decisions
It helps managers to make
decisions without wasting time
by reanalysing it

Characteristics Of
Information
Improves representation of
an entity
Updates the level of
knowledge
Has a surprise value
Reduces uncertainty
Aids in decision making

General Systems Theory

What is a system?
Components of a system
Characteristics of a system
Examples of systems
Types / Categories of
systems

WHAT IS A SYSTEM
System is defined as a set of
elements arranged in an orderly
manner to accomplish an
objective.
A set of elements or
components that interact to
accomplish goals

Example of a System with

sub-components

Customer
Maintenance
Component

Order Entry
Component

Customer Support System

Catalog
Maintenance
Component

Order Fulfillment
Component

Elements of a system
Input
Process
Output

System Example
Elements
System
Inputs

Movie

Actors,
director, staff,
sets,
equipment

Processin
g
elements
Filming,
editing,
special
effects,
distributio
n

Goal
Outputs
Finished
film
delivered
to movie
studio

Entertaini
ng movie,
film
awards,
profits

Characteristics of a system
Sub components (subsystems)
Interfaces / Relationships
Boundary (physical or
conceptual)
Environment
Goal(s)

Examples of systems
System
Computer
Elements
Input, process and output devices.
Operating system, compilers, packages,
DBMS, personnel.
Objective
Process the data and provide information.

WHAT IS AN INFORMATION
SYSTEM
A combination of people, machines
activities aimed at the gathering
processing of data to supply
information needs of people inside
outside the organization

and
and
the
and

A set of interrelated elements or

components
that
collect
(input),
manipulate
(process),
and
disseminate
(output)
data
and
information and provide a feedback
mechanism to meet an objective

Activities of an IS
Environment
Organisation
Input

Processing
Feedback

Output

Components of an IS
People
Information
Procedures
Data
Information Technology

Components of an IS
External Environment

People

Organisation

Information
System

Technology

Data Processing
It is the process of converting raw
data into meaningful information.
Data processing involves:
Sorting
Summarising
Classifying
Comparing
Calculating

Information Processing
This is the retrieval,
manipulation, output, storage
and dissemination of
information by a computer
system.
Similar to data processing

Information Technology
Information technology is the
use of computers and software
to manage information.
The development, installation,
and implementation of
computer systems and
applications.

Information & Communication

Technology (ICT)
Information technology is the use
of computers and software to
manage, transmit and receive
information.
The development, installation, and
implementation of computer
systems, applications and
communication systems

Manual vs. Computerized Systems

Manual systems still widely used
E.g., some investment analysts manual
draw charts and trend lines to assist
them in making investment decisions
Computerized systems
E.g., the above trends lines can be
drawn by computer
Evolution
Many computerized system began as
manual systems
E.g., directory assistance (911)

Computer-based
Information Systems (CBIS)
A CBIS is composed of

Hardware
Software
Databases
Telecommunications
People
Procedures

Together they are

Configured to collect, manipulate, store, and
process data into information

Parts of a CBIS
Five parts

Hardware
Software
Database
Telecommunications
Networks

IS supporting main
business functions