44221: Information Systems

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44221 Information Systems
Introduction to Module By Ian Perry Room
C41C E-mail i.p.perry_at_hull.ac.uk Tel 01723
35 7287 http//itsy.co.uk/ac/0809/Sem1/44221_IS/
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Why study Information Systems?

• An understanding of Information Systems is vital
  to business management and information technology
  students
• As all business organisations rely upon the
  ability of their Information Systems to
  provide/support the knowledge required for all
  levels of decision-making, i.e.
• Strategic
• Tactical
• Operational

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Learning Outcomes?

• By the end of the module you will be able to
• Understand why a distinction must be made between
  data, information knowledge.
• Identify the role of Information Systems in a
  given business context.
• Relate theoretical models of Information Systems
  to business cases, by describing a given
  situation using systems terminology diagrams.
• Produce a working example of a computer-based
  Information Systems tool, which addresses
  specific business needs.

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Assessment Method

• Two, equally weighted, assignments based upon a
  common Case Study.
• Assignment 1 - Information Systems Analysis
• Deadline 14 November 2008 Weighting 50
• Analyse the current information system, as
  presented by the Case Study, using appropriate
  systems diagrams .
• Discuss where, and how, IT might be used to
  improve the efficiency/effectiveness of a
  specific part (i.e. sub-system) of the Case Study
  organisations information system.
• Assignment 2 - Information Systems Tool
• Deadline 19 December 2008 Weighting 50
• Build a software tool that can help improve a
  specific aspect of the information system of the
  Case Study organisation.
• Write an illustrated user guide to explain how
  to use the software tool you have developed.

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Assignment Hand-in Process

• You MUST hand in TWO copies of each Assignment
  for this Module.
• BOTH copies must be submitted by 3pm of the
  submission date.
• An Electronic Copy (via Turnitin)
• Class ID 76870
• Password ZYCW lt UPPER CASE
• Assignment 1 Code Name E1 IS Analysis
• Assignment 2 Code Name E2 IS Tool
• See the Assessment Method page of the IS
  Web-site in order to find out how to enrol for
  use Turnitin.
• A Paper Copy (to the School Office)
• With properly completed Front-sheets, including a
  Turnitin Paper ID, in the correct drawer of the
  wooden filing cabinet outside of CH5.

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The CheapChip Case Study (Overview)

• CheapChip manufacture kitchen cabinets for sale
  to customers such as MFI, HomeBase and BQ.
• These kitchen cabinets can be produced in a
  variety of styles, sizes and colours.
• Kitchen cabinets are made-to-order as a result
  of a request from a specific Customer.
• Raw materials (i.e. Chipboard Laminate) are
  purchased from a number of suppliers.
• BOTH the raw materials and the finished kitchen
  cabinets are stored in a small warehouse.
• NB.
• READ the CheapChip Case Study VERY CAREFULLY, as
  BOTH Assignments are based upon it.

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The CheapChip Case Study - Problems

• Each work order is currently calculated by
  hand, which is both very time consuming and often
  leads to mistakes, both of which upset the
  customers.
• Invoice production is also a manual calculation
  and a number of customers have complained
  recently about incorrectly calculated Invoices.
• The Warehouse is quite small, and can only hold a
  small stock of raw materials, so work orders
  often become purchase orders (once again a
  manual calculation).
• There was some talk of building a much larger
  Warehouse, but these plans have been abandoned,
  as CheapChip could not afford to hold any more
  raw materials than they do now.
• Raising a purchase order with one of
  CheapChips Suppliers can result in a delay of up
  to 10 days for the delivery of the raw materials.
• Often, even when Warehouse is almost full of
  Chipboard Laminates, a work order cannot be
  completed as these are the wrong raw materials
  with which to satisfy a specific customer
  request.

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Lectures (C17a) Workshops (IT3)

1. Introduction to Module
2. Systems Concepts 1
3. Systems Concepts 2
4. Review Ass 1 Reqs
5. -- No Lecture -
6. -- No Lecture -

• Information for All?
• Drawing Diagrams 1
• Drawing Diagrams 2
• Assignment 1 Support
• Assignment 1 Support
• -- No Workshop --

Assignment 1 Deadline Fri, 14 Nov, 2008

• Intro to Spreadsheets
• Org. Data / Present Info.
• Spreadsheet Automation
• Review Ass 2 Reqs
• -- No Lecture --

1. Useful SS Functions
2. Worksheets Charts
3. Macros Printing
4. Assignment 2 Support
5. -- No Workshop --

Assignment 2 Deadline Fri, 19 Dec, 2008
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Data, Information Knowledge

• A clear understanding of difference between Data,
  Information Knowledge is crucial if you are to
  be able to understand/develop an Information
  System.
• Especially one that requires computer-based
  support.
• What is Data?
• A series of observations, measurements, or facts
  (transactions/events).
• Collins Concise English Dictionary
• E.g.
• 12
• Ian
• Sunny

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Data ? Information

• What is Information?
• data that have been transformed into a
  meaningful and useful form for people.
• data placed in a context and given value by
  specific end-users.

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Information Attributes

• Information (or do I mean data?) can be thought
  of as having three dimensions
• Time
• Timeliness, Currency, Frequency, etc.
• Content
• Accuracy, Relevance, Completeness, etc.
• Form
• Clarity, Detail, Order, Presentation, etc.
• Information is often affected by more than one of
  the above.

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What is this? - 120508

• Why did you say that?
• People tend to look for a familiar structure
  place data in a familiar context, e.g.
• 120508 gt DD/MM/YY gt 12/05/08 gt 12 May 2008
• We use structure context to transform the data
  we receive into information.
• However
• Different people may see a different structure
  and/or might apply a different context to the
  data they receive
• What if your context were international?
• What if you were me?

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So?

• Information Data Structure Context
• The same data can give different information if a
  different structure and/or a different context is
  applied.
• Try these
• SSMTW_ what letter is next?
• SDLMM_ what letter is next?

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Knowledge

• What is Knowledge?
• That which is gained by the possession of
  information.
• Enabling people to
• have a better understanding of a situation
• And/Or
• make better decisions.

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An Information Systems Approach

• Information Systems ? Computer Systems
• Need to take a holistic view of
• Organisation, People, and Technology.

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Summary

• Data ? Information
• Data are simply facts relating to things like
  events, transactions, etc.
• Information
• is a people thing, because only they can
  determine the structure context with which data
  might become information.
• Knowledge
• is gained by the possession of information that
  enables people to have a better understanding
  of a situation and/or make better decisions.

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Example

• Data
• Lycopersicon Esculentum
• Annual plant belonging to the nightshade family,
  native to South America. It is widely cultivated
  for its shiny, round, red fruit containing many
  seeds (technically a berry), which is widely used
  in salads and cooking. (Lycopersicon esculentum,
  family Solanaceae.)
• A genetically engineered tomato, the first
  genetically engineered food for sale, appeared in
  shops in California and Chicago in May 1994.
• Information
• it is a Tomato.
• Knowledge
• Tomatoes are a Fruit.
• Wisdom (i.e. Decision)
• Do NOT put Tomatoes in a Fruit Salad.

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Always Remember This!
Data is only potential information information
is potential knowledge and knowledge is
potential competitive advantage if it is used in
a creative, flexible, and above all, accurate
way. Adrian M (1990) Lets Get Serious. Focus
News. Winter.
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You can not afford to miss anything!

• Remember
• ALL of your Year 2 marks count towards your final
  Degree Classification.
• DO NOT leave Assignments to the last minute
• A number oflast years students failed Assignment
  1 for the IS Module.
• DO NOT miss any Lecture or Workshop sessions.
• There are Lectures Workshops for the IS Module
  almost EVERY WEEK.
• The first IS Workshop session takes place
  immediately after this Lecture, i.e.
• 1115 to 1305, in IT3.

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This Weeks Workshop

• Explores the way in which roles within a business
  (i.e. which Department you work for) impact upon
  data sharing, data use and data maintenance
  responsibilities.
• Read the Case Study Form a Team
• each team will represent ONE of six Departments.
• Complete a Data Use Statement
• by reference to a limited set of data, from your
  chosen Departments perspective.
• Compare Data Use Statements
• to see if the other Departments agree with your
  teams analysis.