INFO101: Management Information Systems INFORMATION SYSTEMS @ X

INFO101: Management Information SystemsINFO101: Management Information Systems

INFORMATION SYSTEMS @ XINFORMATION SYSTEMS @ X



Today’s ObjectivesToday’s Objectives

Course OverviewCourse OverviewWe try to answer the questions:We try to answer the questions:

What is ‘Information Systems’?What is ‘Information Systems’? Why should you study it?Why should you study it?



Course ObjectivesCourse Objectives

This is an introductory course in Information Systems This is an introductory course in Information Systems (IS) intended to provide you with a broad grounding on (IS) intended to provide you with a broad grounding on the use of information systems in organizations. the use of information systems in organizations.

It will cover the fundamental principles and concepts It will cover the fundamental principles and concepts of IS including:of IS including:

Why businesses MUST invest in information systems, Why businesses MUST invest in information systems, the underlying technologies (hardware, software, etc.) and their the underlying technologies (hardware, software, etc.) and their

applications, applications, How information systems influence organizations and…vice versa How information systems influence organizations and…vice versa



What are we studying?What are we studying?

What is the difference between What is the difference between computer sciencecomputer science and and information systemsinformation systems as a discipline? as a discipline?



Information Systems vs. Computer ScienceInformation Systems vs. Computer Science

Computer ScienceComputer Science has its concentration in the study has its concentration in the study of algorithms, computation, software, and data of algorithms, computation, software, and data structures. Its roots are in mathematics, logic and structures. Its roots are in mathematics, logic and engineering. Programming is only one aspect of engineering. Programming is only one aspect of computer science. computer science.

Information SystemsInformation Systems is an extension of management is an extension of management and organization theory that applies technical and organization theory that applies technical capabilities and solutions initially developed by capabilities and solutions initially developed by computer science, to tasks in organizations. computer science, to tasks in organizations.



What is Information Systems?What is Information Systems?

It’s a management discipline:It’s a management discipline:

Accounting Accounting & Finance& Finance

Human Human RecoursesRecourses

Sales & Sales & MarketingMarketing ……....

Information Information SystemsSystems

It’s an area (department) within an organizationIt’s an area (department) within an organization

Example here @StFX is the Example here @StFX is the TSGTSG



Why study IS Why study IS

Virtually every organization uses IS – it is Virtually every organization uses IS – it is fundamental (like accounting, finance, etc.) fundamental (like accounting, finance, etc.)

IS can generate value/provide competitive IS can generate value/provide competitive advantageadvantage Managers need to understand basicsManagers need to understand basics

Consider as a career optionConsider as a career option



It’s a Career……It’s a Career……

Systems AnalystsSystems Analysts

System ArchitectsSystem Architects

Project ManagersProject Managers

Systems AnalystsSystems Analysts

System ArchitectsSystem Architects

Project ManagersProject Managers

Business Needs

Technical SolutionsIS professionals:• Interface with the ‘business’ to understand what needs to be done with a computer system• Manage the process of developing technical solutions• Design computer systems that meet the needs of the business• Develop (program) the computer system

ProgrammersProgrammersDBAsDBAs

Business People

IS RolesIS Roles



It’s a career……….It’s a career……….

Systems AnalysisSystems Analysis: : You may not have heard of You may not have heard of systems analysis before, but it is a critical role on systems analysis before, but it is a critical role on any large information system implementation. any large information system implementation. Systems analysts are responsible for working Systems analysts are responsible for working with the actual users of a system to understand with the actual users of a system to understand what the requirements for the system are what the requirements for the system are (what (what the system must be able to do). the system must be able to do). Systems Analyst Systems Analyst also work with programmers to ensure that they also work with programmers to ensure that they understand what programs must be written to understand what programs must be written to meet the needs of the users.meet the needs of the users.



It’s a career…..It’s a career…..

Web design/graphics designWeb design/graphics design: : Web designers build web Web designers build web sites for organizations. For sites for organizations. For example, web designers example, web designers often build web sites for often build web sites for ‘online stores’ (like ‘online stores’ (like Amazon.com or ebay.com). Amazon.com or ebay.com). Graphics designers are Graphics designers are responsible for the ‘look responsible for the ‘look and feel’ of web sites. and feel’ of web sites.



It’s a career………..It’s a career………..

Project ManagementProject Management: Project managers do the : Project managers do the planning planning for information systems projects. They for information systems projects. They make sure that the information system gets make sure that the information system gets delivered to the users delivered to the users on time on time and and on budget on budget and manage the team that is delivering the and manage the team that is delivering the system. system.

Database Administration (DBA):Database Administration (DBA): DBAs are DBAs are programmers that work with a specific type of programmers that work with a specific type of software called database management systems. software called database management systems.

ProgrammingProgramming: Programmers write the ‘code’ : Programmers write the ‘code’ necessary to implement an information system. necessary to implement an information system.



It’s a solution to a business problemIt’s a solution to a business problem

• A A solutionsolution based on information technology based on information technology to a to a business challenge business challenge using:using:

• HardwareHardware• SoftwareSoftware• DataData• PeoplePeople• Process/proceduresProcess/procedures



It’s a rewarding career…It’s a rewarding career…

We figure out how to We figure out how to solve real business problems solve real business problems in organizations in organizations using technologyusing technology

We help companies figure out how to:We help companies figure out how to: Increase their revenues and profitsIncrease their revenues and profits Reduce their costs Reduce their costs Become better at what they doBecome better at what they do Make customers happierMake customers happier



Putting Things in Context – The PicturePutting Things in Context – The Picture



Bottom-lineBottom-line

Information Technology (IT) = Hardware + Software+ DataInformation Technology (IT) = Hardware + Software+ Data

Information Systems (IS) = IT + People + ProceduresInformation Systems (IS) = IT + People + Procedures

Documents

INFO101: Management Information Systems INFORMATION SYSTEMS @ X