Information Systems CSCI-N 100 Department of Computer and Information Science

Information Systems An information system  Collects data  Stores data  Processes data for organization Useful information Accurate information Timely information

CEO FinanceHROperationsIS BookkeeperAccountantHR staff Sales mgrMarketing mgrWarehouse mgr. Sales staff ArtistsPublicists System AnalystsTechnicians Programmers Example of Organizational Chart

Information Systems Employees classified as  Workers  Non-management positions  Clerical  Factory/general laborer  Gather data for information system  Managers  High-level  Mid-level  Low-level

Information Systems Executive Strategic planning Mid-level Tactical planning Low-level Operational planning Workers

Information Systems Executive management Strategic planning Determine organizational goals New products New construction Supervise workers Plan long range goals Membership Profit

Information Systems Mid-level mangers Tactical planning Incremental goals One year or less Plan on how to achieve long range goals Marketing Sales New products

Information Systems Low-level managers Operational planning Scheduling employees Ordering supplies Taking care of day-to-day business

Information Systems Solving problems Structured Collecting outstanding customer balances Unstructured What do customers prefer Semi-structured How much inventory to order

Information Systems – Transaction Process Point-of-sale Items purchased at cash register Calculate total sales Verify credit cards General accounting Tracking income Expenses Assets

Information Systems – Transaction Process Payroll systems Track employee hours Calculate deductions, taxes Generate paychecks Generate W-2 Order-entry/Invoice systems Provide input, view, modify, delete orders Tracks order status Creates invoices

Information Systems – Management Information System (MIS) System that uses collected data Manipulates data Scheduled reports Set on preset timetable – day, week, month Summary reports Annual sales - yearly Exception reports Information outside normal ranges Ad hoc reports Customized to supply specific information

Information Systems – Decision Support System (DSS) Helps people make decisions Directly manipulates data Analyzes data from outside resources Generates statistical projections Create models Tackles wide range of problems Does not make actual decisions People analyze and decide

Executive Information System (EIS) Type of DSS Used by senior managers Set policy Planning Budgeting Supports decision maker Decision model Numerical representation  Cash flow Decision query Instructions on data needed Uses spreadsheets “what-if…”

Information Systems – Expert Systems Also know as knowledge-based Designed to Analyaze Produce a recommend Produce a diagnosis Produce decision Rules designed are based on input from experts, incorporated into knowledge base Inference engine Knowledge engineering

Information Systems Fuzzy logic Dealing with imprecise data Weather Neural network Simulates neural pathways of a brain Computer can “learn” to make decisions Surveillance cameras in casinos, matching faces to known cheats

Information Systems – Systems Analysis System Development Life Cycle Planning Project development Analysis System requirements Design Application specifications Implementation Working system Maintenance Upkeep, upgrades

Information Systems – Systems Analysis SDLC – System Development Life Cycle Information system development through phases Project planning and development Analysis and system requirements Design and application specifics Implementation and working system Maintenance

Information Systems – Systems Analysis Approaches Waterfall One step at a time Modified waterfall Accounts for overlap between steps Iterative Repeats a phase as necessary

Information Systems – Systems Analysis Project planning and development Scope of the project PIECES Justification for project Teams Project schedule Software  PERT – Program Evaluation and Review Technique  WBS – work breakdown structure  Ghantt Chart

Information Systems – Systems Analysis Analysis and system requirements Study current system Determine requirements Report Documentation tools  Data flow diagram (DFD), how data moves through the system  UML (Unified Modeling Language)  Use case diagram  Sequence diagram  Class diagram  CASE tool (computer-aided software engineering)

Information Systems - Systems Analysis Designing the system Identify solutions Can have several, select the best one Select hardware and software Consider the overall architecture of system Software Selecting the best package  Application development tool  Turnkey system Request for proposal Describes problem and requirements for solution Application specifications

Information Systems - Systems Analysis Implementation – a working system Purchase/build software and hardware Test the applications  Application testing – checking results  Unit testing – each module works  Integration testing – modules work together Final documentation System documentation – describes features architecture, programming User documentation – instructions on how to use system

Information Systems – Systems Analysis (Implementation – a working system, cont’d.) Convert data to new system Convert the system Direct – immediate activation of new Phased – one module at a time Parallel – new an old running simultaneously Pilot – start in one location, then another

Information Systems – Systems Analysis Maintenance System operator – backups, data recovery, trouble- shooter System programmer – installs new upgrades to O/S Upgrades to software or operating system User interface revisions Software revisions or upgrades Bug fixes Security upgrades Hardware, software, and network adjustments for optimal performance

Information Systems – Systems Analysis (Maintenance, cont’d) Quality of service Level of performance system provides Metrics of QoS – for measuring and monitoring system Throughput – time interval for process of data Accuracy – errors in time interval Downtime – amount system unavailable Capacity – storage, users, connections User levels – number at peak/average/low levels Response time – time between request/response

Information Systems – Systems Analysis (Maintenance, cont’d) Length of maintenance phase Longest phase of SDLC Most expensive End of maintenance phase?

Information Systems – Systems Analysis Data security Common threats Natural disasters Power outages Hardware breakdown Human error Software failure Security breach War Viruses

Information Systems – Systems Analysis (Data security, cont’d.) Information system data security Deterrents Password protection Limited access Preventive countermeasures Firewalls Corrective procedures Redundant hardware Detection activities Triggers countermeasures or detterents

Information Systems – Systems Analysis (Data security, cont’d.) Data centers Specialized location for housing software and hardware for corporation Underground Offsite Disaster recovery plan Step-by-step plan Ensure safety of people Continue operations Minimize disruptions Minimize danger, prevent further loss Management succession, emergency powers Coordinate recovery tasks

Information Systems – Systems Analysis (Data security, cont’d.) Corporate Identity Theft Name Logo Trademark