1. INFO101: Management Information Systems INFORMATION SYSTEMS @ X

2. INFO101: Management Information Systems INFORMATION SYSTEMS @ X Today’s Objectives  Course Overview  We try to answer the questions:  What is ‘Information Systems’?  Why should you study it?

3. INFO101: Management Information Systems INFORMATION SYSTEMS @ X Course Objectives  This is an introductory course in Information Systems (IS) intended to provide you with a broad grounding on the use of information systems in organizations.  This is an introductory course in Information Systems (IS) intended to provide you with a broad grounding on the use of information systems in organizations.  It will cover the fundamental principles and concepts of IS including:  Why businesses MUST invest in information systems,  the underlying technologies (hardware, software, etc.) and their applications,  How information systems influence organizations and…vice versa

4. INFO101: Management Information Systems INFORMATION SYSTEMS @ X What are we studying?  What is the difference between computer science and information systems as a discipline?

5. INFO101: Management Information Systems INFORMATION SYSTEMS @ X Information Systems vs. Computer Science  Computer Science has its concentration in the study of algorithms, computation, software, and data structures. Its roots are in mathematics, logic and engineering. Programming is only one aspect of computer science.  Information Systems is an extension of management and organization theory that applies technical capabilities and solutions initially developed by computer science, to tasks in organizations.

6. INFO101: Management Information Systems INFORMATION SYSTEMS @ X What is Information Systems? It’s a management discipline: Accounting & Finance Human Recourses Sales & Marketing ….. Information Systems It’s an area (department) within an organization Example here @StFX is the TSG

7. INFO101: Management Information Systems INFORMATION SYSTEMS @ X Why study IS  Virtually every organization uses IS – it is fundamental (like accounting, finance, etc.)  IS can generate value/provide competitive advantage  Managers need to understand basics  Consider as a career option

8. INFO101: Management Information Systems INFORMATION SYSTEMS @ X It’s a Career…… Systems Analysts System Architects Project Managers Business Needs Technical Solutions IS professionals: Interface with the ‘business’ to understand what needs to be done with a computer system Manage the process of developing technical solutions Design computer systems that meet the needs of the business Develop (program) the computer system ProgrammersDBAs Business People IS Roles

9. INFO101: Management Information Systems INFORMATION SYSTEMS @ X It’s a career……….  Systems Analysis: You may not have heard of systems analysis before, but it is a critical role on any large information system implementation. Systems analysts are responsible for working with the actual users of a system to understand what the requirements for the system are (what the system must be able to do). Systems Analyst also work with programmers to ensure that they understand what programs must be written to meet the needs of the users.

10. INFO101: Management Information Systems INFORMATION SYSTEMS @ X It’s a career…..  Web design/graphics design: Web designers build web sites for organizations. For example, web designers often build web sites for ‘online stores’ (like Amazon.com or ebay.com). Graphics designers are responsible for the ‘look and feel’ of web sites.

11. INFO101: Management Information Systems INFORMATION SYSTEMS @ X It’s a career………..  Project Management: Project managers do the planning for information systems projects. They make sure that the information system gets delivered to the users on time and on budget and manage the team that is delivering the system.  Database Administration (DBA): DBAs are programmers that work with a specific type of software called database management systems.  Programming: Programmers write the ‘code’ necessary to implement an information system.

12. INFO101: Management Information Systems INFORMATION SYSTEMS @ X It’s a solution to a business problem A solution based on information technology to a business challenge using:A solution based on information technology to a business challenge using: HardwareHardware SoftwareSoftware DataData PeoplePeople Process/proceduresProcess/procedures

13. INFO101: Management Information Systems INFORMATION SYSTEMS @ X It’s a rewarding career…  We figure out how to solve real business problems in organizations using technology  We help companies figure out how to:  Increase their revenues and profits  Reduce their costs  Become better at what they do  Make customers happier

14. INFO101: Management Information Systems INFORMATION SYSTEMS @ X Putting Things in Context – The Picture

15. INFO101: Management Information Systems INFORMATION SYSTEMS @ X Bottom-line Information Technology (IT) = Hardware + Software+ Data Information Systems (IS) = IT + People + Procedures