INFORMATION SYSTEM
INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT TRAINING CONSORTIUM

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INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Why Do People Need Information?
• Individuals - Entertainment and enlightenment
• Businesses - Decision making, problem solving and control

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DATA, INFORMATION, AND SYSTEMS
Data vs. Information
• Data
• A “given,” or fact; a number, a statement, or a picture
• Represents something in the real world
• The raw materials in the production of information
• Information
• Data that have meaning within a context
• Data in relationships
• Data after manipulation

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DATA, INFORMATION, AND SYSTEMS
Data Manipulation
• Example: customer survey
• Reading through data collected from a customer survey
with questions in various categories would be time-
consuming and not very helpful.
• When manipulated, the surveys may provide useful
information.

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DATA, INFORMATION,
AND SYSTEMS
Generating Information
• Computer-based ISs take data as raw material, process it, and
produce information as output.
Figure 1.1 Input-process-output

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DATA, INFORMATION,
AND SYSTEMS
Information in Context

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DATA, INFORMATION, AND SYSTEMS
What Is a System?
• System: A set of components that work together to achieve a
common goal
• Subsystem: One part of a system where the products of more
than one system are combined to reach an ultimate goal
• Closed system: Stand-alone system that has no contact with
other systems
• Open system: System that interfaces with other systems

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DATA, INFORMATION,AND SYSTEMS
Figure 1.3 Several subsystems make up this corporate accounting
system.

 Computer Hardware
 Computer Software
 Telecommunications and Computer
Networks
 Data Resource Management

Operational Support Systems
•Transaction Processing System
•Process Control System
Management Support Systems
•Management Information System (MIS)
•Decision Support System (DSS)
•Executive Support System (ESS)

 The tangible elements of a computer system
 The components that store and process data,
perform calculations
 Input devices like the keyboard and mouse allow
users to enter data and commands.
 Storage and processing components consist of the
hard drive and other storage components like flash
drives.

 Desktop (Personal) Computers
 Server
 Mainframes
 Supercomputers
 Notebook Computers
 Handheld Devices

Programs, routines, and computer
languages that control a computer
Operating System
• Windows Operating System
• Mac Operating System
Application Software
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Quicken

 THE INTERNET
 Local Area Networks (LAN)
 Wide Area Networks (WAN)
 Wireless Local Networks
 Intranets
 Virtual Private Networks (VPN)
 Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)

E-Crime
Computer Viruses
• Worms
• Trojan Horses
• Spyware

 Natural Disasters
 Power Failures
 Equipment Malfunctions
 Software Glitches
 Human Error
 Terrorist Attacks
 The most basic precaution – Backup.
90% of firms that
sustained a loss of critical
data went out of business
within two years.

The Distributed Workforce
• Employees who work in virtual offices
Application Service Providers
• A firm that provides computers and
application support
On Demand, Cloud, and Grid
Computing
• Renting software time

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DATA, INFORMATION,AND SYSTEMS
Information and Managers
• Systems thinking
• Creates a framework for problem solving and decision
making.
• Keeps managers focused on overall goals and operations
of business.

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DATA, INFORMATION,AND SYSTEMS

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DATA, INFORMATION, AND SYSTEMS
The Benefits of Human-Computer Synergy
• Synergy
• When combined resources produce output that exceeds
the sum of the outputs of the same resources employed
separately
• Allows human thought to be translated into efficient
processing of large amounts of data

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DATA, INFORMATION, AND SYSTEMS

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DATA, INFORMATION, AND SYSTEMS
The Four Stages of Data Processing
• Input: Data is collected and entered into computer.
• Data processing: Data is manipulated into information using
mathematical, statistical, and other tools.
• Output: Information is displayed or presented.
• Storage: Data and information are maintained for later use.

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WHY STUDY IS?
Information Systems Careers
• Systems analyst, specialist in enterprise resource planning (ERP),
database administrator, telecommunications specialist, consulting, etc.
Knowledge Workers
• Managers and non-managers
• Employers seek computer-literate professionals who know how to use
information technology.
Computer Literacy Replacing Traditional Literacy
• Key to full participation in western society

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ETHICALAND SOCIETAL ISSUES
THE NOT-SO-BRIGHT SIDE
Consumer Privacy
• Organizations collect (and sometimes sell) huge
amounts of data on individuals.
Employee Privacy
• IT supports remote monitoring of employees, violating
privacy and creating stress.

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ETHICALAND SOCIETAL ISSUES
THE NOT-SO-BRIGHT SIDE
Freedom of Speech
• IT increases opportunities for pornography, hate speech, intellectual
property crime, an d other intrusions; prevention may abridge free
speech.
IT Professionalism
• No mandatory or enforced code of ethics for IT professionals--unlike
other professions.
Social Inequality
• Less than 20% of the world’s population have ever used a PC; less than
3% have Internet access.