Information Systems Today: Managing in the Digital World 2 COIS11011 P/O WEEK 4 Technology Briefing Information Systems Software Information Systems Today: Managing in the Digital World

Information Systems Today: Managing in the Digital World Learning Objectives Information Systems Today: Managing in the Digital World

Key IS Software Components Programs Sets of instructions Allow the hardware components in the computer system to communicate Two basic types: Systems Software/Operating System Application Software Information Systems Today: Managing in the Digital World

Information Systems Today: Managing in the Digital World Systems Software Controls the basic operations of computer hardware Common functions: Booting Reading programs into memory Managing program and file storage Maintaining the structure of directories Formatting disks Controlling the computer monitor Sending documents to the printer Information Systems Today: Managing in the Digital World

Information Systems Today: Managing in the Digital World Operating System Coordinates: peripherals application software users Also used in embedded devices Written in assembly language Performs day-to-day operations Information Systems Today: Managing in the Digital World

Information Systems Today: Managing in the Digital World The OS Acts as a Manager Information Systems Today: Managing in the Digital World

Interfaces: Command vs. GUI Provided by operating system Interface Types: Command-based interface Menu interface list of options Graphical user interface (GUI) Information Systems Today: Managing in the Digital World

Graphical User Interface Examples: Windows Vista Mac OS X Information Systems Today: Managing in the Digital World

Common Operating Systems Information Systems Today: Managing in the Digital World

Information Systems Today: Managing in the Digital World Utility Programs Manage computer resources and files Examples: Backup Data compression Antivirus Media players Information Systems Today: Managing in the Digital World

Information Systems Today: Managing in the Digital World Learning Objectives Information Systems Today: Managing in the Digital World

Information Systems Today: Managing in the Digital World Application Software For performing specific user tasks Writing a business letter Processing payroll Two Types Customized (proprietary) software Developed specifically by or for a particular organization Commercial software Purchased off the shelf Information Systems Today: Managing in the Digital World

Customized Application Software Software developed “in-house” Advantages: Customizability A kiosk in a retail store to help shoppers Problem specificity – the company pays only for specific features Unique types of required reports Information Systems Today: Managing in the Digital World

Off-the-Shelf Application Software A.K.A. packaged software Support common business processes Advantages: Less costly Faster to produce Higher quality Less risky Customized and off-the-shelf applications can be combined Information Systems Today: Managing in the Digital World

Examples of IS Application Software Information Systems Today: Managing in the Digital World

Productivity Software Word Processor MS Word, OpenOffice Writer Spreadsheet MS Excel, OpenOffice Calc Database management MS Access, OpenOffice BASE Presentation Software MS PowerPoint, OpenOffice Impress Information Systems Today: Managing in the Digital World

Productivity Software (II) Email MS Outlook, Mozilla Thunderbird Web browser MS Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox Chat MS Live Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger Calendar and contact management Lotus Notes, MS Outlook Information Systems Today: Managing in the Digital World

Information Systems Today: Managing in the Digital World Open-Source Software Source code is freely available for use and/or modification Examples: Operating systems – Linux Web browsers – Firefox Secure connection standard – OpenSSL Personal productivity software – OpenOffice Information Systems Today: Managing in the Digital World

Information Systems Today: Managing in the Digital World OSI Certification Author of source code cannot collect royalties Source code accessible to users Modifications under original name allowed No one denied access to program Rights attached to program must not depend on it being part of a particular software distribution Software cannot place restrictions on other software that is distributed with it Information Systems Today: Managing in the Digital World