Information

Systems 202

Regent Business School

Aims of This Module

Describe the operational and managerial roles of information systems

Gain an appreciation of the major concepts, developments and managerial implications involved in computer hardware, software, database management and telecommunications technologies

Demonstrate an understanding of how information technology is used in modern information systems to support the end user collaboration, enterprise operations, managerial decision making and strategic advantage

Utilize information systems to support decision making

Information Systems in

Perspective – Section 1

– Introduction:

Information Age

Importance of information Systems

– What You need to know

The 5 areas of knowledge

What is IS?

Can be any organized combination of people, hardware, software,

communication networks and data resources that collect, transforms and

disseminate information in an organization.

What is a System?

Components of a System: Input – Processing – Output - Feedback/Control

System Concepts: Technology, Applications, Development & Management

Application of IS Concepts

People (System Users or/and End-Users)

Tasks: Categorized into 4

1)Tasks related to communication amongst people in the organization

2)Tasks related to decision-making

3) Tasks related to operations of the organization

4) Tasks related to strategic management

Information: Facts, statistics, data to accomplish a task

Organization: The Business/Firm

Environment: Global competitive business environment

Information Technology

* Differentiate between IS and IT IT performs 5 information functions:

1. Acquisition

2. Processing

3. Storage and retrieval

4. Presentation

5. Transmission

Information Systems Cont’d

Benefit of IS

Types of Information

1. Strategic information

2. Tactical Information

3. Operational Information

IS for Business Transactions: The Transaction Processing Cycle

Entering the data – Processing data – Storing and updating data – Document &

report presentation – User inquiry

IS for Business Transactions Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)

ERP (pronounced “E-R-P”) systems are core software programs used by companies to integrate and coordinate information in every area of the business.

ERP:

Helps organizations manage company-wide Business Processes, using a common database and shared management reporting tools.

Supports Cross functional Integration:

Integrates tasks related to Sales, Marketing, Manufacturing, logistics, accounting, HR and staffing-throughout a business.

- Cuts down time-consuming and unwieldy paper trail when negotiating and closing sales with retailers

Some ERP Characteristics

Flexible – flexible to respond to the changing needs of an enterprise

Modular and Open – open system architecture; support multiple hardware platforms

Comprehensive – support variety of organizational functions and must be suitable for a wide range of business organizations

Beyond the Company – should not be confined to the organizational boundaries

Allow access to data in “real time”

Best business practices – collection of best business processes with worldwide applications.

Why Organizations Undertake

ERP Systems

Integrate financial information

Integrate customer order information

Standardize and speed up manufacturing processes

Reduce inventory

Standardize HR information

Automated Information Systems

for Design & Manufacturing

Computer-Aided Design (CAD)

Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM)

Computer-integrated Manufacturing (CIM)

Reasons for CAD/CAM Development:

1. Increase productivity

2. Reduce construction cost

3. Improved communication & efficiency between design & manufacturing dept.

Management Information

Systems – Section 2

Why do we need MIS?

MIS gives a manager the information needed to make certain decisions, typically

structured decisions, regarding the operational activities of the organization.

MIS provides 3 types of reports:

1. Detailed Reports

2. Summary Reports

3. Exception Reports

MIS: Information Attributes

Relevance

Accuracy

Timeliness

Target

Format

Interactive nature

Control

Managers & Decision Making Self Check Questions

Functions and roles of a Manager?

3 types of Decisions and Decisions made by different management levels?

IT to Support Managerial

Communications

Collaborative Work

Distributed Computing

Automated Office

Inter-organizational Information Systems

Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)

Business Alliances

International Information Systems

IT to Support Managerial

Decision-Making

Decision-Making Concepts: Intelligence, Design, Choice and Implementation

Decision Support Systems: Planning, Analyzing alternatives, Trial & Error Search for solution.

Elements of Decision Support Systems:

Database - Model Base - Software providing interactive dialogue (User Interface) – Group Decision Support Systems and GIS

Executive Information Systems

Expert Systems

MIS in perspectives

IT to Support Business Strategy Strategic Concepts

Strategy: Strategy is an organization's intention to pursue a set of activities over the long-term to attain its goals.

Why we need Strategy? Competition, New competition, Customers, Suppliers and Substitution

5 Strategies to achieve competitive advantage: 1. Cost Leadership Strategy

2. Differentiation Strategy

3. Innovation Strategy

4. Growth Strategy

5. Alliance Strategy

Computers: Evolution and

Future Trends – Section 3

What is a Computer?

A computer is a programmable, electronic device that acceots data, performs operations on data, presents the results and store the data or results as needed.

Basic Operations of a Computer:

1. Input

2. Processing

3. Output

4. Storage

Evolution of Computers

Evolution of Computers: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th Generation Computers

Computer Today:

Mainframes and Super Computers;

Workstations & PCs;

Portable Computers (Notebook Computers);

Embedded Computers and Special-Purpose Computers (Smart TV)

The Internet Evolution

The emergence of Network

The Internet Explosion

The Internet Culture

Living with Computers: Explanation/Application/Implications

Computers Hardware –

Section 4

Basic Operations of a Computer:

1. Receives Input

2. Process Information

3. Produce Output

4. Store Information

We will look at the 4 basic components of computer hardware:

Input devices, Output devices, Processing devices and Storage devices

Computers Hardware Cont’d

Input devices: Keyboards, Pointing devices

Output devices: Monitors, Printers

Processing devices

Storage devices: Hard drives, Flash drives

- bits, bytes and other units

- CPU (Intel, AMD) and Memory (RAM, ROM)

- Buses, Ports and Peripherals

- Motherboard

Buses, Ports and Peripherals

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