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INFORMATION PROCESSES & TECHNOLOGY (IPT)
Introduction to Information Skills and Systems
IPT - Topics
Information Systems in Context Information Processes Social and Ethical Issues Traditional Stages in Developing a System Complexity of Systems Rules of People Involved in Systems Development Collecting Organising Transmitting and Receiving Displaying
Information Technology
Chapter 1 – Page 3
Question?
What is Information Technology? How has digital communication improved the
transfer of data? Describe the recent changes in banking that have
resulted from Information Technology What are some advantages and disadvantages of
Information Technology? List some ethical issues that have or may occur
by the Information Technology Explain what and why you use Information
Technology?
Information Systems In Context A system is a group of elements that work
together to achieve a purpose. The education system is one example. It is made up of students, teachers, schools, resources and processes.
The education system’s purpose is to provide students with the basic skills and knowledge necessary to take part in society.
A systems may be designed by people, such as the banking system, or occur in nature, such as the water cycle.
Information Systems In Context CONT...
An information system performs a set of information processes requiring participants, data/information and information technology. It performs the information processes of collecting, organising analysing, storing/retrieving, processing, transmitting/receiving and displaying information.
Information systems are created for a purpose and operate in a particular environment. The links between the elements are represented using two-headed arrows. This emphasises that the elements influence each other—a change in one can affect the others.
Information System CONT...
Information Systems In Context – Purpose
The system’s purpose is the reason for its existence and it is used to measure its success. Information systems are created to solve a problem and provide benefits to an organisation or individual.
Individuals may require an information system whose purpose is: To keep track of income and expenses. To share data and information between individuals
and offices in different locations. To design a multimedia presentation for the next
staff meeting.
Information Systems In Context – Environment
The environment is everything that influences or is influenced by an information system and its purpose.
For example, the environment of the local library is not only the building, but also factors outside the building, such as its location, electrical power, air-conditioning, communications, and funding from the government.
The environment of a system is constantly changing the main reasons for the environment to change is the progress in information technology.
Information Systems In Context – Environment CONT...
Today, the environment of many organisations is the world. The Internet has provided a global marketplace for goods and services.
Organisations can transfer information around the world and move finance easily between countries.
Information technology continues to change at an extraordinary rate and will continue to affect the environment of information systems.
Information Technology
Information technology is the set of tools used by an information system or its participants to perform work, it is the hardware and software used by information systems.
Hardware is the physical equipment involved in processing information, such as a computer, network cables and data storage devices.
Computers are electronic devices that can process data according to stored sequences of instructions. They have five basic functions: input, processing, storage, control and output.
Information Technology CONT... Software is the detailed instructions
(computer programs) used to direct the hardware to perform a particular task.
A computer needs software to tell it what to do and it needs hardware to carry out the actual work.
There are two main types of software: Application software System software
Information Technology CONT... Application software - is a computer program
used for a specific task. It allows the computer to achieve the task for which it was designed. Application software includes word processors, databases, graphics programs and spreadsheets.
System software - manages and controls the hardware so the application software can perform the required task. It determines the way the participant interacts with the information system. System software includes operating systems and utility software.
Data and Information
Data - is the raw material entered into an information system. This raw material could be in the form of images, audio, video, text or numbers, and is entered using an input device.
Information - is data that has been ordered and given some meaning by people. It is created or modified by the information processes.
Information Systems In Context – Participants
Participants are the people who carry out the information processes within the information system.
Participants need to know what to do, how to do it and when to do it. All information systems have participants—even the most automated systems rely on people if the system fails.
Participants are often referred to as direct users, or simply users. They interact with, or are in control of, the information technology.
Information Systems In Context – Participants CONT...
For example, when you use a word processor to write a letter, you are a participant in an information system. Participants have different levels of skills, from the novice experimenting with software to system specialists.
An information system also includes Indirect users, such as customers, are not part of the system, but it is their needs that form part of the purpose of the system.
Components Of Information System Environment – Everything that is influenced by the Information System
Purpose – For what need & whom is the information system designed
Information Systems – Users, individuals, IDPO, computerised & non-computerised
Information Processes – Computerised such as access the internet & non-computerised such as listening to the news
Participants – People who carry out information processes with the information system
Date/Information – Raw materials of information going in & coming out as processed data I/O
Information Technology – Hardware & software used by the information processes
Example of a System
Braking system of a car
The Purpose is to slow the car down
Braking system requires resources or components such as brake pads, break disks, brake pedal
Components work together to process/make the car slow down
The Environment is everything that is influenced by the system
Diagrammatic Representation of a System
Environment – The Car, Including all its various sub-system
System – The Braking System
Purpose – To slow down the car
Processes – Pressing brake pedal, fluid moving to callipers, friction between pads and disk, wheel slowing down, etc
Resources – Brake pedal, master cylinder, callipers, brake pads and disks, wheels tyres, etc
Example of a Information System in Context (ISC)
Components Examples
Environment Doctor’s Surgery
Purpose Collect and store patient information for use by doctors
Information System Computers, peripherals, personnel, patients data sheet, patient invoices, medical companies, and hospitals
Information Processes Sorting and searching data in a database, collecting patient details, entering data into database
Participants Doctors, administration staff, computer technicians
Data/Information Patient information sheets, patient invoices
Information Technology Computer hardware and medical software, patient database, printers
Pool Filtration System
A backyard swimming pool contains a filtration system that includes a timer, a pump, a filter, various pipes and electrical connections and a skimmer box. These components work together to keep the pool water clean and healthy. Fig 2.2 shows many of these components, together with the flow of water.
Figure 2.2
Pool Filtration System Exercise
