Information Systems

Lecture 10,11,12

IT Fundamentals

MBA (II) 4th Semester

Farhan Mir

Lectures Administration

• IT Fundamentals– Hardware & Software – Telecommunication– Databases

• Case Studies finalization

• Assignment 2

IT Fundamentals• IS Decomposition

– Information• Information Management (for example: policy making)

– Technical components• Hardware Fundamentals• Software Fundamentals• Database Management• Telecommunications

• Why we are studying these fundamentals?– These constitute the technical composition of the systems– IS Cost resides majorly in this part– The need for the “Hottest Technology Available”(Need for

Awareness)

Glimpse of few Decisions• Technology

– Latest Hardwares (Input, Output, Processing)– Updation of Legacy Hardwares (Maintenance Problems)– Size/Capacity/Speed issues

• Software– In-house Development

• System Requirement through Analysis• Development Process• Implementation & Feedback VS

– Buying Option• Cost/Benefit Analysis• System Needs• Implementation and Feedback

– Coordination & Communication issues

Glimpses of few Decisions

• Broader Decisions– IT Application analysis (where we need IT applications

in Business) – Quantitative Assessment in context of cost/benefit

analysis– Business Approvals for Investment– Training– User Interface– Change Management– Database (Size and usage issues)

Hardware Fundamentals

• Background

• Input Devices

• Processing

• Output Devices

• Storage Media

• Networking Hardware

• Management Issues

Background• Traditional Computing Environment

– Large Vs small organizational computing– Mainframes– Mini– PC environment– Networking Needs

• Technological Advancements– Awareness– Affordable cost– Availability

Hardware Fundamentals• Input Devices

– From Traditional keyboard entry to automated input– Graphics & Ease – Development of new enhanced input procedures

• Processing– Speed & Capacity (parallel processing)

• Output Devices– Output needs– Daily life pervasiveness– Organizational communication channel (& Marketing aspects)

• Storage….Networking….

Contemporary Hardware Issues

• IT portfolio analysis (Heavy Investment)• Maintenance

– Backup– Disaster Recovery

• Compatibility• Future Planning

– Technological Advancement– Cost Vs. Quality question

Software Fundamentals

• System Software

• Application Software

• Software Engineering & Tools

• Trends regarding software

• Management Concerns

System Software• Operating System

– Microcomputer OS• DOS• Windows• Unix(GUI, Common User Access)

– Networking OS• Netware

– Large Scale OS• Multiprocessing• Multitasking

• Other Important Software– System Management Software

• System utilities• Language Translators

Application Software• General Application

– Word Processing– Spreadsheets– File Managers

• Special Purpose Software– TP– Scheduling– Analysis & Decision Making– Presentation– Communication– Training– Programming

• From low level to 4GLs

Management Issues• Application Backlogs

– Different Applications build in different languages– Lengthy Development processes– System Development requires commitments, time, patience

• Make– System Requirement– User Interface– User Involvement Vs.

• Buy– Availability of Built-in applications– Cost Vs. Quality Issues– Organization Wide Systems reducing compatibility issues– Contract Management through Outsourcing

References• Charles Parker, Thomas Case. (2000). “Management Information

Systems: Action & Strategy”. (2nd Ed). Chapter 5,6

• Kenneth C. Laudon & Jane P. Laudon (2001). “Management Information Systems: Managing a Digital Firm”.(7th Ed). Chapter 5,6

• James O’Brien. (1998). “Introduction to Information Systems: A Networked Enterprise Perspective”. (2nd Ed). Chapter 2,3