Introduction to Information Skills & Systems Intro. to Information Systems

Introduction to Information Skills & Systems What is a System? A collection of resources and processes that operate together to achieve some common purpose. Components  Environment (that which influences or is influenced by a system)  Purpose  Resources  Processes Systems

Introduction to Information Skills & Systems Processes Resources System Purpose Environment So what does a System looks like

Introduction to Information Skills & Systems All systems have Inputs, Processes and Outputs (I.P.O.’s), Input a material Process the material Output a product. Input, Process, Output (IPO) Input Process Output

Introduction to Information Skills & Systems Normal System (e.g. used – Textiles Factory) A normal system would Input a resource (e.g. textiles fabric) and then the Process would turn this would Output a finished product (e.g. clothing) So how is an Information System different to a Normal System Input Textile Fabric Output Finished Clothes Process Sew Fabric together

Introduction to Information Skills & Systems The Information System Information System (e.g. used – School Report) The main difference in an Information System, compared to a Normal System is that: The Input is data as apposed to a material based resource (in our case, exam marks for school report). The Process would turn this data into Information (e.g. collate and combine one students marks from the various subject inputs). The Output, via a printer or screen (in our case a printed school report in the format required by the School). SEE NEXT PAGE FOR IPO ON SCHOOL REPORT

Introduction to Information Skills & Systems IPO of an School Report Information System Input Exam Marks Output Print Report Process Collate Marks

Introduction to Information Skills & Systems What is Data? Data is the raw material that information processes. What is Information? The meaning that we assign to data. Knowledge is acquired when information is received. 34, 12, 0, 45, 120, 99 Data Cricket Scores Information So how does Data & Information fit in?

Introduction to Information Skills & Systems Components of an Information System 1.Environment 2.Purpose 3.Data/ Information 4.Information Technology (the hardware and software used in information processes) 5.Information Processes (what needs to be done to transform the data into useful information.) 6.Participants – (People who carry out the information processes within an IS. Can be Managers, data entry operators, direct users) THE ABOVE MUST ALL BE PRESENT IN AN INFORMATION SYSTEM

Introduction to Information Skills & Systems A Diagrammatic Representation of an Information System

Introduction to Information Skills & Systems Diagrammatic representation of a Computer-Based Information System NOTE: Additional detail has been included in the way of ‘External environmental influence’

Introduction to Information Skills & Systems Types of Information Systems Personal Information Systems An information system with a single participant who is also the sole end user. An example would be a personal diary system Group Information System An information system with a number of participants who work together to achieve the system’s purpose. Example could be a large business. End-users End users are those who use or benefit from an Information System, such as those who listen to the weather report. They general have little control or input into an Information System.

Introduction to Information Skills & Systems Social & Ethical Issues Privacy of the individual Security of data and information Safety of data and information Accuracy of data and information Changing nature of work Appropriate information use Health & safety Copyright laws