Information Systems

1
 What is information?

• The processed data is called

information. It is an organized and
processed form of data.
• Information means to know about
unknown

Information Systems Slide 2

 What is a System?

• A collection of components
purposefully organised into a
functioning whole to accomplish a
goal

Information Systems Slide 3

 Types of Systems
• Natural Systems – exist in natural
world
– The solar system
– Biological systems
• Artificial Systems – created for a
specific purpose
– Transport system
– Communications system
– Education system
Information Systems Slide 4
The Systems Life-Cycle
All systems have a life cycle
• Birth
• Grow to maturity
• Need maintenance/adjustment
• Become obsolete and perhaps need
replacement

Information Systems Slide 5

 Information Systems

• These are systems designed to

provide essential information
services to organisations
• The goal is to help an organisation to
plan and control its operations

Information Systems Slide 6

 Services of an IS

• Keeping track of transactions

(exchanges of goods and services)
• Assisting decision-makers by providing
needed facts and figures
• Providing documentation needed by
customers/suppliers/employees/wages

Information Systems Slide 7

 Computer Based IS
• Computers have special capabilities
at dealing with data and information
– Large storage capacity
– Ability to process huge amounts of raw
data quickly
– Ability to make complex calculations
quickly
– Ability to search for and find data
quickly
Information Systems Slide 8
 Why use an IS?
• A Company’s IS can give it
– A competitive advantage
– Better quality products
– Better quality service to customers thus
more customer satisfaction
– Greater efficiency and profitability

Information Systems Slide 9

 Capabilities of an IS
• Accepting input (raw data)
• Processing the data to produce
information
• Distributing the information
throughout the organisation
• Producing reports for managers

Information Systems Slide 10

What does a CBIS need?

• It includes the following:

– data
– hardware
– software
– trained personnel and
– procedures

Information Systems Slide 11

Software and Systems

• Developing an IS means
developing the software and
systems that will work to
produce the information
required

Information Systems Slide 12

 Developing an IS for
Business
• This is a process which follows
different methodologies depending
on circumstances
• Regardless of the method used the
objective is to have a computer
system that serves the needs of the
business

Information Systems Slide 13

 IS in Organisations
• Different people have different
needs from IS and need different
types of IS
– Transaction processing systems
– Management Information systems
– Decision-support systems
– Expert systems

Information Systems Slide 14