Chapter 2
ELEMENTS OF AN INFORMATION SYSTEM
Information Concepts
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
Terminology
Process
A set of logically related tasks performed to achieve a defined outcome.
To perform some useful operations on data.
Knowledge
An awareness and understanding of a set of information and how that
information can be made useful to support a specific task.
The collection of data, rules, procedures, and relationships that must be
followed to achieve value or the proper outcome
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
Characteristics of Valuable
Information
Characteristics
Accurate
complete
Economical
Flexible
reliable
Relevant
simple
timely
Accessible
secure
System
System
A set of elements or components that interact to accomplish goals
A combination of components working together
System Elements
Inputs
Processing mechanisms
Outputs
System Example
Elements
System Processing Goal
Inputs Outputs
elements
Actors, director, Filming, Finished Entertaining
staff, sets, editing, film movie, film
Movie equipment special delivered to awards,
effects, movie profits
distribution studio
Information System (IS)
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
Information System
Schematic model of an information system
Feedback
Input Processing Output
Input, Processing, Output
Input
The activity of gathering and capturing data
Whatever goes into the computer
Processing
Converting or transforming data into useful outputs
Output
Useful information, usually in the form of documents and/or reports
Anything that comes out of a computer
Feedback
Feedback
Output that is used to make changes to input or processing activities
Forecasting
A proactive approach to feedback
Use for estimating future sales or inventory needs
Computer-based Information
Systems
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
Hardware
Computer equipment used to perform input, processing, and output
activities
The objects that you can actually touch, like disks, disk drives, display
screens, keyboards, printers, boards, and chips.
Software
Computer programs that govern/determine/control the operation of the computer
Computer instructions or data
Software is often divided into two categories. Systems software includes the operating
system and all the utilities that enable the computer to function. Applications software
includes programs that do real work for users. For example, word processors, spreadsheets,
and database management systems fall under the category of applications software
Database
An organized collection of facts and information
A collection of information organized in such a way that a computer
program can quickly select desired pieces of data
You can think of a database as an electronic filing system. Traditional
databases are organized by fields, records, and files. A field is a single
piece of information; a record is one complete set of fields; and a file is a
collection of records. For example, a telephone book is analogous to a file.
It contains a list of records, each of which consists of three fields: name,
address, and telephone number.
Database Example
Telecommunications
The electronic transmission of signals for communications; enables
organizations to link computer systems into effective networks
Refers to all types of data transmission, from voice to video
Networks
Used to connect computers and computer equipment in a building, around
the country, across the world, to enable electronic communications
A group of two or more computer systems linked together
There are many types of computer networks, including:
local-area networks (LANs) : The computers are
geographically close together (that is, in the same building).
wide-area networks (WANs) : The computers are farther
apart and are connected by telephone lines or radio waves
Internet and Intranet
Internet
The world’s largest telecommunications network
A network of networks
Free exchange of information
A global network connecting millions of computers
Intranet
A network that uses Internet technology within an organization
A network belonging to an organization
People and Procedures
People
The most important element in most computer-based information
systems
Includes people who manage, run, program, and maintain the system
E.g., IT professionals (you!)
Procedures
Includes the strategies, policies, methods, and rules for using the CBIS
