Understanding Information Systems. Information System (IS) An IS is a combination of people,...

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Understanding Information

Systems

Information System (IS)

An IS is a combination of people, hardware, software, computer networks, and data that organizations use to manage daily and long-term operations.

Computer-basedInformation Systems

Improved Speed

Quality Measurability

Computer-based information systems offer four key advantages over traditional (pre-computer) information systems:

Efficiency

Information SystemsClassified by Function

Distribution Management

Office Information

Management Information

Decision Support

Executive Support

Factory Automation

Information Systems

Office Information Systems (OIS)

Electronic Data Processing (EDP)

Management Information Systems (MIS)

Decision Support Systems (DSS)

Online Analytical Processing (OLAP)

Executive Support Systems (ESS)

Factory Automation Systems

Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM)

Computer-Integrated Manufacturing (CIM)

Statistical Quality Control (SQC)

Information SystemsConsiderations

Upgrading or switching to a computer-based information system affects:

Technical Staff

Information Technology Costs

Profit Margins

Product Quality

Clerical Staff

Upgrading or Switching to aComputer-Based Information System

Companies should realize that there will be disruptions.

Research

Once the impact of a new system has been

studied and a decision to proceed has been made, a new system

must be purchased “off the shelf,” or developed and brought into service.

Subcontracting

Means hiring a third party to handle a project.

Systems House

Sometimes known as a systems integrator, a systems house is a company that specializes in installing and supporting information systems.

Factors in Choosing ANew Information System

User Interface Design

Open vs. Closed System

Niche Information System

Turnkey Solutions

System Support

Developing a NewInformation System

Because of their large size, information systems require the creation of a project team.

Project Manager

Manager also functions as a systems analyst, responsible for completing the systems analysis and making design recommendations.

Automate

CASE Tools

Software packages that

automate the design and

development of a project.

•Project Analysis •Graphic Specifications•Program Code•Testing & Debugging •Maintenance•Reports •Flowcharts•Graphs •Models

Gantt Charts

Gantt charts are bar charts showing the stages of a project and the order in which they must be completed.

Gantt charts are bar charts showing the stages of a project and the order in which they must be completed.

System Development LifeDevelopment

PLANDESIGN

IMPLEMENTSUPPORT

RETURN to STAGE 1

Development Plan

The process is circular, meaning that once the last stage is reached the planners return to the beginning and repeat the process.

Feasibility Study

A feasibility study is conducted, investigating how difficult the project might be to complete and how much it might cost.

Request for Proposal (RFP)

If management decides to hire a systems house, a request for proposal (RFP) will be sent to one or more possible suppliers.

Functional Specification

In most cases, the project team creates a functional specification, describing what the system must be able to do.

Design Specifications

Detail the hardware and software necessary to execute the functions.

Operating System Data Model

Authorized Users

A Prototype

Is a miniprogram that demonstrates the user

interface and functionality of the system.

Development

Coding, debugging programs and compiling programs.

Beta Testing

The system is rigorously tested before it is completely trusted to function as designed.

User Training

Normally takes place at the same time as

beta testing.

Emergency Patch

During debugging, testing, user

training, and implementation, the development team might be called

on to create an emergency patch, or correction, to the system.

Approval

Support Stage

A system goes into the support stage after it has been accepted and approved.

A Support Contract

A support contract normally allows users to contact the systems house for technical support, training, and sometimes

on-site troubleshooting.

Return to Stage One

System development is a process of continuous improvement.

On the Horizon

Business IntelligenceSift through information warehouses to find the gold within. However, companies need help in making sense of the data, and this is a focus for information systems software vendors.

The Future Holds…SimplicityIncreasingly, customers demand simple, reliable interfaces for information systems as well as retail software.

Enterprise Integration SoftwareThese products link a multitude of different programs so that information can be shared and sent back and forth more easily. A similar approach gaining popularity is outsourcing data storage and purchasing applications and Web site servicing.

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