Why Should You Learn About IT?

1
Why Should You Learn About IT?

• What can be done with IT and the consequences of
  using IT are very interesting.
• Organizational structure, management, and
  business processes are often changed with IT.
• Career opportunities are abundant in IT.
• IT affects every business functional area.

2
Some Key Definitions

• Data raw facts collected, not organized.
• Information data organized in a meaningful way.
• Knowledge information organized to convey
  understanding, experiences, accumulated learning,
  or expertise.

3
Generating Information

• Raw data are processed in an IS to create final
  useful information
• Process Manipulation of data
• Computer-based ISs process data to produce
  information

4
What Is a System?

• System A set of components that work together to
  achieve a common goal
• Subsystem One part of a system where the
  products of more than one system are combined to
  reach an ultimate goal
• Closed system Stand-alone system that has no
  contact with other systems
• Open system System that interfaces with other
  systems

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Systems and Subsystems
6
What is an Information System?

• A system that collects, processes, stores,
  analyzes, and disseminates information.

Calculations
Data
Collect Inputs
Process And Transform
Produce Outputs
Instructions
Reports
Store
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What Makes Information Useful?

• It is accurate
• Free of errors
• It is complete
• Includes everything needed
• It is flexible
• Can be viewed in various ways
• It is reliable
• Results are always consistent

• It is relevant
• Applies to the issue under study
• It is timely
• Available when needed
• It is verifiable
• Basis for results can be traced
• It is accessible
• All those who need the information can get to it
• It is secure
• Free from contamination (accidental or deliberate)

8
What is Meant by aComputer-Based Information
System?

• An information system using computer and
  telecommunications technology to perform its
  intended tasks.
• Employs some combination of hardware, software,
  database, network, procedures, and people.
• An information system developed to provide a
  solution to a business problem.

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Components of an Information System
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Organizations Have High Expectations of Their
Information Systems

• Fast, accurate processing of business
  transactions.
• Storage, retrieval, analysis, and data sharing to
• Increase communication
• Reduce overload
• Span organizational boundaries
• Support and improve decision making.
• Distinctive capabilities providing competitive
  advantage.

11
Key Technical Trends to Monitor

• Constantly improving cost-performance ratio
• Increasing storage and memory
• User friendly interfaces
• Client/server architecture
• Network computers
• Enterprisewide systems
• Intranets and extranets

• Data warehousing Data mining
• Object-oriented environment
• Electronic document management
• Multimedia
• Intelligent systems
• Portable computing
• Electronic commerce

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Foundation Concepts

• Information Infrastructure
• The physical facilities, services, and management
  that support all organizational computing
  resources.
• Computer hardware
• General-purpose software
• Networks and communications facilities
• Databases
• Information management personnel

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Foundation Concepts (continued)

• Information Infrastructure (continued)
• Defines integration, operation, documentation,
  maintenance, and management of computing
  resources.
• Defines how specific computing resources are
  arranged, operated, and managed.

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Foundation Concepts (continued)

• Information Architecture
• High-level plan that details
• The organizations information requirements
• The way these requirements are being satisfied.
• Incorporates information requirements, existing
  and planned information infrastructure and
  software applications.
• Helps ensure that the organizations IT meets the
  organizations strategic business needs.

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KEY SYSTEM APPLICATIONS IN THE ORGANIZATION
Types of Information Systems