Lecture 1Introduction

SFDV2002 - Principles of Information Systems

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Course Objectives By the end of the course students should:

understand how information systems support people and enterprises;

be knowledgeable about the environment that facilitates systems development such as the people involved, how projects are initiated and managed, impacts on an organisation, and the commercial realities of such endeavours;

be conversant with the concepts and skills required to analyse, design, build, and maintain high-quality information systems;

have an awareness of broader issues relating to software development, such as ethical concerns, professionalism, and technological influences.

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Course DeliveryLectures

Readings

Laboratory Sessions

Tutorials (4 weeks)

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Course CalendarWeek

Lectures Tutorials Practical Sessions Assessment

# Topic # Topic # Topic

1 1 Introduction

1

Information System

2 Building Information Systems

33 Managing the Development Project

1 Project ManagementReplaced by tutorial

44 Understanding the Solution

2 Analysis 2Replaced by tutorial

5 5 Designing the SolutionQuiz number 1 (5%)

6 6 User Interface Design

77 Conceptual Database Design

3 Data Modeling3

Database DevelopmentReplaced by tutorial 4

8 8 Logical Database Design

Midterm exam (20 %)9 9 Using Database

10 10 Constructing the Solution

11 11 Debugging and Testing 4 Programming 5 Application Development

1212 Distributing Information System

Quiz number 2 (5 %)Replaced by tutorial

13 13 Business on the Web

14 14 Maintaining the SystemPractical Test (10%) & Project Submission (10%)

15 15 The Enterprise

16 Final Exam

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Assessment

Final Examination

Quiz and MidtermPractical Test and Project

50%

30%20%

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OverviewSupporting Enterprises

Introduction to Information Systems

Distinction and role of Data and Information

Components of Information Systems

Types of Software

System

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What is a System?A set of elements or components that

interact to accomplish goals (Stair and Reynolds, 2003)Examples of systems: A courier business, education systems, transport system, computer systems, telecommunication systems, etc.Basic Components or functions• Inputs – capturing and assembling elements• Processing – transformation processes that convert input into output• Output – transferring elements produced by a transformation process to their ultimate destination.

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Information Systems

Data

Information

Definition:“… is a set of interrelated components that collect (input),manipulate (process), and disseminate (output) data and information … to mean an objective” Types of ISManual: Investment analyst manually draw charts and trend linesComputer-based information systems (CBIS): We will focus on this type of system.

[Stair and Reynolds, 2006]

Raw Data

Documents & Reports

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Main Functions Marketing:promotion, sale of existing products,services,

etc.• Customer Relationship Management (CRM): “covers

methods and technologies used by companies to manage their relationships with clients.

• Sales force automation: All activities are conducted electronically.

Human Resource Management:Recruitment, placement, evaluation, compensation, etc.• Typical HR information system would be the payroll

system Productions/Operations:Planning and control of the

processes producing goods or services• Systems required to monitor and control inventories

(supply of raw materials), purchases, etc.

How IS Supporting Enterprises?

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Main Functions (Continued………) Accounting:

• Oldest and most widely used information systems for recording and reporting on business transactions & tracking the flow of funds

• Financial statements such as balance sheets and income statements are produced, Management Information Systems are also used to help in developing financial budgets etc.

Finance:• Support financial managers with financing the organisation • Cash management: Forecast and manage cash position by

collecting information on cash receipts and disbursements. • Credit management: Monitor & control creditors information• Investment management: Manage short-term investments• Capital budgeting• Financial forecasting: Forecast financial performance and

financing needs

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Types of Information SystemsExamples …

Transaction Processing Systems (TPS) Management Information Systems (MIS) Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems Virtual Reality Systems (VRS) Enterprise resource planning (ERP) - Linking multiple

applications and databases for different functional areas such as Accounting, Warehouse, Sales in an organisation together

Customer relationship management (CRM) - Used to monitor and control interactions with customers and use data from this to drive sales and improve customer service

Supply chain management (SCM) …

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Types of Application Software

[Stair and Reynolds, 2006]

Develop a kind program Purchase existing application

Modify off-the-shelf

Advantages & Disadvantages of Customised

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Customised (bespoke or proprietary) softwareAdvantages

•Exactly what you need – features, etc.•Involved in the development process – further level of control over the results•Flexibility making modifications – you are able to change to meet new requirements

Disadvantages•Development: can a take a long time and uses significant resources (cost)•With in-house development: it can be costly to allocate the time or maintain the expertise of staff•Feature and performance risk: unsure of the unknown.

Advantages & Disadvantages of Generic

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Generic (off-the-shelf) software•Advantages

•Lower initial cost (purchase cost is less than development cost)•Less likely that the software will fail – can match business need to known existing features•Likely to be High quality because many customers tested and identify bugs

•Disadvantages•Paying for features that are not required (but come with the package)•Costly further development: may lack features or requirements could change – required expensive future changes or customization•May not be able to find software that match current requirements, work processes, and data standards.

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Components of Information System

[Stair and Reynolds, 2006]

Data vs. Information

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Data are raw facts (stored) or observations (typically physical phenomena or business transactions)Data takes many forms:• traditional alphanumeric data (numbers and alphabetical) • text data (sentences and paragraphs)• image data (graphic shapes and figures)• audio data (human voice and other sounds) Note: Data is the plural of datum – through data commonly represents both singular and plural forms.

Information• Collection of facts organized in such a way that they convey value• Data converted into something meaningful and useful within specific context of end user•Value of Information is subjective

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Data vs. Information (Example)

[Source: Hagg el at, 2004]

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Data Transformation

The transformation Process may • aggregate, manipulate, and organize data• analyse its content and evaluate (to perform calculations)• place in a proper context for human users

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Quality InformationAccurate Complete Economical

Current Relevant Others …Accessible •The right people need to get the information at the right time.Secure•Information is only access by unauthorized users.

Accurate • Accurate information is error free.• Common source of inaccurate information is inaccurate

data. Garbage In, Garbage Out (GIGO)• Reliable – Needs to know that the information is true. Complete• Valuable information contain all the important facts Economical• The value of information has to weight up against its cost

(as with everything in business) Relevant• Relevant for the objective desired for information (no

need for extra information) Current (timely) • Information needed to be available when it is needed.

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EnterprisePeople, Business processes, Information flow, Functions, Ethics/Integrity, Organisational structures, Strategy and Management

Information SystemsTPS, GIS, VRS and more ...

TechnologiesArchitectures, Networks, Internet, Hardware, Security, Languages (e.g. visual basic, C#, Java), Environments and more ...

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Video Store IS Example

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Example Database – Video Store

Member ID Title

Surname

First Name

13 Mr. BurnsMontgomer

y

14 Mr. Simpson Homer

15 Mr. Flanders Ned

16 Mr. Drinkwell Moe

Hire NumberMember

ID Video CodeDate of

Loan Due Date

142 13 10-0000-0 05-Jul-04 10-Jul-04

143 13 10-0000-3 05-Jul-04 10-Jul-04

144 14 20-0000-1 05-Jul-04 10-Jul-04

Microsoft Access database and a subsection of data

Video Code Title

10-0000-0 Star Wars: Episode IV

10-0000-2 Star Wars: Episode V

10-0000-3 Star Wars: Episode VI

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Summary Information Systems play a critical role in

supporting all facets of enterprises Information Systems

Convent data into information Collection of interrelated components

Software component Acquire or build (our focus)

References Stair and Reynolds, Principles of Information

Systems, 7th Edition, Thomson, 2006