F21DF1 : Databases & Information SystemsLachlan M. MacKinnon & Phil Trinder Introduction to Information Systems Databases & Information Systems Lachlan M. MacKinnon & Phil Trinder

F21DF1 : Databases & Information SystemsLachlan M. MacKinnon & Phil Trinder u To introduce Information Systems:  We will consider some definitions of Information Systems and the functions that can make up such systems.  You will consider, in various other modules, the Information Technology which enables Information Systems.

F21DF1 : Databases & Information SystemsLachlan M. MacKinnon & Phil Trinder  The Domain of Information Systems comprises : Simple Classification Types of Computer-based Information Systems Objectives Risks Planning & Project Management The Organisation : The Information Systems Development Life-Cycle

F21DF1 : Databases & Information SystemsLachlan M. MacKinnon & Phil Trinder Tools, Techniques & Methodologies Social Effects Integrative Models

F21DF1 : Databases & Information SystemsLachlan M. MacKinnon & Phil Trinder  Simple Classification of Information Systems Informal Information Systems : –evolving complex patterns of human behaviour –never formalised by the organisation –often vital to the effectiveness of communication within the organisation and hence the effectiveness of the organisation itself –“grapevine” can be negative and/or positive Manual Information Systems : –formalised procedures, not computer based, for production of information within an organisation –Historically, prior to computers, all organisational information systems operated in this way, with clerks

F21DF1 : Databases & Information SystemsLachlan M. MacKinnon & Phil Trinder processing the information. –Still many such systems through : organisational unwillingness to invest in new technology development costs not balanced by business advantage/productivity gains specialist skills of staff cannot be replicated in computerised system Computer-based Information Systems : –automated systems –use I.T. –Must often interface with some manual Information Systems –We are only really concerned with these, and we will focus exclusively on these from now on.

F21DF1 : Databases & Information SystemsLachlan M. MacKinnon & Phil Trinder  Types of Computer-based Information Systems : Data Processing Systems –accounts processing –routine product control –personnel Office Automation Systems : –document preparation and management –databases and associated software – –diaries and schedulers –spreadsheets Management Information Systems –use data from data processing systems to produce

F21DF1 : Databases & Information SystemsLachlan M. MacKinnon & Phil Trinder summary information –generally simple statistical models –aggregate data, production, output, etc. Decision Support Systems : –extended MISs which incorporate more sophisticated statistical and predictive models –allow “what-if” analysis and hypothesis testing –highly interactive, governed by user input Executive Information Systems : –can be further extensions of DSSs to allow development of strategic modelling –can also be extended MISs which permit much higher levels of aggregation of data –usually highly graphical, permitting access to a wide range of information through a friendly user interface

F21DF1 : Databases & Information SystemsLachlan M. MacKinnon & Phil Trinder  Objectives of Information Systems : Essentially these can be seen as the benefits that an organisation can achieve through the successful use of an Information System Efficient Operations –maximisation of throughput with respect to the unit of resource input –the organisation obtains maximum benefit with the least waste from the resources it allocates to tasks Effective Management –the ability to produce the intended output in a satisfactory manner –a measure of how well the products and/or services of an organisation meet customer needs

F21DF1 : Databases & Information SystemsLachlan M. MacKinnon & Phil Trinder Competitive Advantage –first use I.T. to produce information to make the operational and management activities of the business efficient and effective (as above) –next use information in new and innovative ways to improve business performance, cut costs, etc. to develop an advantage in comparison to competitors Long-Term Goals –Survival –Profitability –Expansion –Market Share –Customer Satisfaction –Employee Satisfaction

F21DF1 : Databases & Information SystemsLachlan M. MacKinnon & Phil Trinder  Risks of Information Systems If we take the view that all those elements described as objectives of Information Systems then become dependent for success on the Information System, then the Information Systems become progressively larger and more complex. Then the biggest risk is in Information Systems failure, resulting in an inability to support : –Business operations –Management –Strategic Objectives Reasons for such failure can be : –Economic –Technical

F21DF1 : Databases & Information SystemsLachlan M. MacKinnon & Phil Trinder –People-based Resistance to change Fear of technology, loss of job, etc. Inadequate training Lack of specialist skills Inappropriate organisational culture –Evolutionary Technological change Environmental change Organisational change

F21DF1 : Databases & Information SystemsLachlan M. MacKinnon & Phil Trinder The Organisation –structure –processes –types of information & information requirements

F21DF1 : Databases & Information SystemsLachlan M. MacKinnon & Phil Trinder –Feasibility Study –Systems Investigation –Systems Analysis –Systems Design –Implementation –Review & Maintenance The Information Systems Development Life-Cycle

F21DF1 : Databases & Information SystemsLachlan M. MacKinnon & Phil Trinder Social Effects –Change Management –Implementation is not just Coding!! –Education & Training –Skill-Change –Societal & Cultural Change

F21DF1 : Databases & Information SystemsLachlan M. MacKinnon & Phil Trinder Integrative Models –Computers in Society –Internet Revolution & Web 2.0 –Big Brother –Ubiquitous Computing