ISNE 101 Dr. Ken Cosh

Welcome to ISNE 101  Dr. Ken Cosh   Facebook – “Ken Cosh”   Don’t be Grengjai!

Homework #1  Send me an ! 

Information Systems  “Interrelated components working together to collect, process, store and disseminate information to support decision making, coordination, control, analysis and visualisation in an organisation.” (Laudon)  Key: Collecting (Input), Processing, Disseminating (Output) ‘Information’.  But what is Information?

From Data to Wisdom  Data: symbols  Information: data that are processed to be useful; provides answers to "who", "what", "where", and "when" questions  Knowledge: application of data and information; answers "how" questions  Understanding: appreciation of "why"  Wisdom: evaluated understanding. (Ackoff)

What is an Information System?  “An information system can be any organised combination of people, hardware, software, communications networks, and data resources that collects, transforms and disseminates information in an organisation.” (O’Brien).

What is Information Technology?  Technologies are ‘devices’ which can assist with the working of the information system;  Paper and Pencil (Hardware)  Word of Mouth (Communication Networks)  Filing Cabinet (Data Resource)  Mostly we will be interested in computer based technology.

What is a System?  “Group of interrelated or interacting elements forming a unified whole.” (O’Brien)  Physical Systems (Weather Systems, Solar Systems)  Biological Systems (Human body)  Educational Systems (Schools, Universities)  Information Systems…

Systems  Systems have 3 basic elements;  Input: the ‘things’ which enter the system, (food, orbits, high / low pressure systems, data)  Processing: transformation process to convert input into output, (breathing, mathematical calculations)  Output: Transferring the transformed elements to their ultimate destination, (Physical movements, information) Input Output Processing

Feedback and Control  The System becomes more useful when there is Feedback and Control;  Feedback: data about system performance  Control: monitoring and evaluating feedback to determine whether the system is moving towards achieving it’s goal and then adjusting where necessary. Input Output Processing Feedback & Control

System Example  A Thermostat self-regulating Air Conditioning.  Input: Current room temperature.  Processing: Comparison with desired temperature  Output: Either On or Off  Feedback & Control: Ability of human user to adjust temperature.

Further System Concepts  Sub-systems  Systems rarely exist within a vacuum, they are normally part of some environment (or greater system).  Interfacing Systems  Often multiple systems share the same environment, in which case they often interact / have shared interfaces  The output of one system could be the input of the next (stock control figures are passed as input to sales department).  Adaptive Systems  Some systems have the ability to change itself or it’s environment in order to survive.

Information Systems  Collects data inputs, transforms them into information outputs and disseminates the information around an organisation.  Remember O’Brien’s quote?  “An information system can be any organised combination of people, hardware, software, communications networks, and data resources that collects, transforms and disseminates information in an organisation.”  Information Systems are comprised of 5 major types of resource;  People, Hardware, Software, Communication, Data

A Computer…for Dummies!  Input Devices  Keyboard, Mouse, Microphone, Scanner…  Output Devices  Monitor, Printer, Speaker…  Processor  CPU  Storage Capabilities  Main memory (RAM), Secondary memory (Hard Disk, CD’s etc.)

Information System Resources  People  Hardware  Software  Data  Network (Communication)

People Resources  End Users - the people who use the information systems. E.g. Customers, salespeople, engineers, clerks, accountants, all of us!  IS Specialists - the people who develop, implement and maintain the information systems. E.g. software developers, analysts, support staff.

Hardware Resources  Physical, Tangible devices & materials used in information processing.  Machines - PC’s, monitors, printers etc.  Media - disks, printouts, paper etc.

Software Resources  Information Processing Instructions  Programs (system, application software)  OS, word processing, spreadsheets, databases, payroll etc.  Procedures (Operating Instructions)  Data Entry procedures, paycheck distribution procedures

Data Resources  Databases  Knowledge Bases  Data vs Information?  Data - Raw material resources  Information - Processed data into meaningful product.

Network Resources  Communication Media  Cables, fibre optics, cellular, wireless  Network Support  Technologies to support the network, modems, internet browsers etc.

Vital Roles of IS within Business  Support of Business Processes and Operations  Help with automating processes  Support of Decision Making by its employees and managers  Ensure necessary information is available to make decisions  Support of its strategies for competitive advantage  Drive an organisation’s strategy

Changing Role of IS  IS is performing an increasingly important role within organisations, that role is changing.  Technology Push effects  Business Pull effects

Technology - ‘Push’  Increased Capability  Improved Processing & Storage  Improved Connection  Networks  Internet  Comparative Cost reductions

Business - ‘Pull’  Factors encouraging organisations to increase their use of I.T.  Political Factors  Economic Factors  Social Factors  Technological Factors

Changing Role of IT in Organisations  4 Era’s of Technology  DP Era (Data Processing)  MIS Era (Management Information Systems)  SIS Era (Strategic Information Systems)  Internet Era

DP Era (50’s-60’s)  Purpose : AUTOMATE  Form : Mainframe  Limitations : Hardware  Focus : Programming  Ownership : Computer Dept., Remote from users  Objectives : lower costs, make use of technology

MIS Era (70’s-80’s)  Purpose : INFORMATE  Form : Distributed Processing - PC’s  Limitations : Software  Focus : Identifying User’s needs  Ownership : Regulated by management, available as service  Objectives :Supporting management, meeting users’ needs

SIS Era (80’s-90’s)  Purpose : TRANSFORMATE  Form : Networking  Limitations : Management Vision  Focus : Identifying Business Opportunities  Ownership : Executives, Linked to business functions  Objectives : Supporting Business, meeting business needs.

Internet Era (Now!)  Purpose : ???...MATE  Form : Internet  Limitations : ??? Viability of Business Models  Focus : ??? Reach and Range  Ownership : Everyone - central to whole business  Objectives : it IS the business.