Information System

Information SystemInformation SystemsFoundation Concepts. Fundamental business information systems concepts including trends, components, and roles of information systems and competitive advantage concepts and applications. Other behavioral, managerial, and technical concepts are presented where appropriate in selected chapters. Information Technologies. Includes major concepts, developments, and managerialissues involved in computer hardware, software, telecommunications network and data resource management technologies. Other technologies used in business information systems Business Applications. How businesses use Internet and other information technologies to support their business processes, e-business and e-commerce initiatives, and business decision making. Development Processes. Developing and implementing business/IT strategies and systems using several strategic planning and application development approaches. Management Challenges. The challenges of business/IT technologies and strategies, including security and ethical challenges and global IT management.Information SystemsInformation system can be any organised combination of people, hardware, software, communication networks, and data resources that collects, transforms and disseminates information in an organization.

People have relied on information systems to communicate with each other using a variety of physical devices (hardware), information processing instructions and procedures (software), communication channels (networks), and stored data (data resources) since the dawn of the civilization.

Information TechnologiesComputer Hardware Technologies Computer Software Technologies Telecommunication Network Technologies Data Resource Management Technologies

Figure 1.1 Input-process-outputWhy Do People Need Information?

Individuals - Entertainment and enlightenment

Businesses - Decision making, problem solving and control

8Data, Information and SystemsData vs. Information

DataA given, or fact; a number, a statement, or a pictureRepresents something in the real worldThe raw materials in the production of information

InformationData that have meaning within a contextData in relationshipsData after manipulationDataRaw facts such as an employees name and number of hours worked in a week, inventory part numbers or sales orders.InformationA collection of facts organized in such a way that they have additional value beyond the value of the facts themselves.DataInformation$35,000 12 Units $12,000 J. Jones Western Region $100,000 100 Units 35 UnitsData ProcessingSalesperson: J. Jones Sales Territory: Western Region Current Sales: 147 Units = $147,000Example9What Is a System?System: A set of components that work together to achieve a common goal

Subsystem: One part of a system where the products of more than one system are combined to reach an ultimate goal

Closed system: Stand-alone system that has no contact with other systems

Open system: System that interfaces with other systemsInformation SystemsAn information system(IS) is typically considered to be a set of interrelated elements or components that collect(input), manipulate(processes), and disseminate (output) data and information and provide a feedback mechanism to meet an objective.Open SystemClose SystemSo IS is..

11Types of Information SystemsInformal Information SystemFormal Information System12An Information System is an organized combination of people, hardware, software, communication networks and the data resources that collects, transforms and disseminates information in a organization.

Computer-based Information System

13INFORMATION TECHNOLOGYHardwareSoftwareDatabasesNetworksOther related componentsare used to buildINFORMATION SYSTEMSPayroll SystemInventory SystemMarketing SystemCustomer Service SystemIS Vs IT14Role Of IS in BusinessSupport of it business processes and operations.Support of decision making by its employees and managers.Support of its strategies for competitive advantage.Expanding Roles of ISData Processing: 1950s-1960sManagement Reporting: 1960s-1970sDecision support: 1970s-1980sStrategic and End User Support: 1980s-1990sGlobal Internetworking: 1990s-2000s

16Classification of ISInformation SystemsOperations Support SystemManagement Support SystemTransaction processing systemsProcess control systemsOffice automation systemsManagement information systemsDecision support systemsExecutive information systems171. Operations support systems process data generated by business operationsMajor categories are:i) Transaction processing systems ii) Process control systemsiii) Office automation systems

2. Management Support Systems provide information and support needed for effective decision making by managersMajor categories areManagement Information SystemDecision Support SystemsExecutive Information System

18OSSDefinition An operational support system (OSS) is a group of computer programs or an IT system used by communications service providers for monitoring, controlling, analyzing and managing a computer or telephone network system. OSS software is specifically dedicated to telecommunications service providers and mainly used for supporting network processes to maintain network inventory, configure network components, provision services and manage faults.With the growth of new broadband and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) systems, OSS and network management are now applied to home networks.An OSS is also known as a business support system (BSS).

Key Elements Of OSS are: ProcessesData ApplicationsTechnology

MSSA system that applies any type of decision support tool or technique to managerial decision making.It extends the information retrieval capabilities of the end-users with 'query and analysis functions' for searching a database, generating 'what if' scenarios, and other such purposes.

Operations Support Systemi) Transaction processing systems

Process business exchanges Maintain records about the exchanges Handle routine, yet critical, tasks Perform simple calculations

ii) Process control systems monitor and control industrial processes.

iii) Office automation systems automate office procedures and enhance office communications and productivity.

22TPS

2. Management support systems provide information and support needed for effective decision making by managers.Major categories are:Management information systems it provide information in the form of reports and displays to managers and many business professionals. For ex., sales managers may use their networked computers and web browsers to get instantaneous displays about the sales results of their products and to access their corporate intranet for daily sales analysis reports that evaluate sales made by each salesperson. Routine information for routine decisionsOperational efficiencyUse transaction data as main inputDatabases integrate MIS in different functional areas

24ii) Decision Support System it give direct computer support to managers during the decision-making process. For ex., an advertising manager may use DSS to perform a what-if analysis as part of a decision to determine where to spend advertising dollars. Interactive support for non-routine decisions or problems End-users are more involved in creating a DSS than an MIS

25Contdiii) Executive information systems it provides critical information form a wide variety of external and internal sources in easy-to-use displays to executives and managers. For ex. Top executives may use touchscreen terminals to instantly view text and graphic displays that highlights the key areas of organizational and competitive performance.provide critical information tailored to the information needs of executives

Other categories Expert systems End user computing systems Business information systemsd) Strategic information systems a) Expert Systems are knowledge-based systems that provides expert advice and act as expert consultants to the users b) End user computing systems support the direct, hands on use of computers by end users for operational and managerial applicationsc) Business information systems support the operational and managerial applications of the basic business functions of a firmd) Strategic information systems provide a firm which strategic products, services, and capabilities for competitive advantage27Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)Integrated programs that can manage a companys entire set of business operationsOften coordinate planning, inventory control, production and ordering28Enterprise Collaboration SystemECS is a combination of groupware, tools, Internet, extranets and other networks needed to support enterprise-wide communications.Such as the sharing of documents and knowledge to specific teams and individuals within the enterprise. Some examples of enterprise communication tools include e-mail, videoconferencing, collaborative document sharing, project management tools and others.The objective of an ECS is to provide each user with the tools for managing communications, documents and other information that individuals need to manage their own tasks efficiently in their departments.IS as DisciplineIS is an interdisciplinary field influenced by Computer Science, Political Science, Psychology, Operations Research, Linguistics, Sociology, and Organizational Theory.30

31ChallengesWorkforce downsizingInformation overloadEmployee mistrustDifficult to builtSecurity breaches32Opportunities

Enhanced global competitivenessCapture market opportunitiesSupport corporate strategyEnhance worker productivityImprove quality of goods and services

33Artificial IntelligenceAI is a field of science and technology based on disciplines such as computer science, biology, psychology, linguistics, mathematics and engineering. The goal of AI is to develop computers that can simulate the ability to think, as well as see, hear, walk, talk, and feel. A major thrust of artificial intelligence is the simulation of computer functions normally associated with human intelligence, such as reasoning, learning and problem solving.

Attributes of Intelligent BehaviourThink and reasonUse reason to solve problemsLearn or understand from experienceAcquire and apply knowledgeExhibit creativity and imaginationDeal with complex or perplexity situations.Respond quickly and successfully to new situations.Recognize the relative importance of elements in a situation.Handle ambiguous, incomplete or erroneous information.

Applications Of AICognitive Science ApplicationsExpert Systems Learning SystemsFuzzy LogicGenetic AlgorithmsNeural NetworksIntelligent Agents

ContdExpert Systems ES is a knowledge-based information system that uses its knowledge about a specific, complex application area to act as an expert consultant to end users.

Methods of Knowledge RepresentationCase-Based Reasoning Representing knowledge in an expert system knowledge base in the form of cases.Frame-based Knowledge Knowledge represented in the form of a hierarchy or network of frames.Object-Based Knowledge Knowledge represented as a network of objects. Object is a data element that includes both data and method that act on that data.Rule-based Knowledge Knowledge represented in the form of rules and statements of fact.ContdLearning Systems - Learning Systems are systems that use experience to construct a general model and to improve their performance. Learning methods are used in a variety of systems including:

* systems for data mining,* text and image classification,* recognition of objects and information in texts,* data mining,* robot control.

ContdFuzzy Logic Fuzzy logic systems can process data that are incomplete or ambiguous, that is, fuzzy data. Thus, they can solve semi-structured problems with incomplete knowledge by developing approximate inferences and answers, as humans do.it deals with reasoning that is approximate rather than fixed and exact.ContdGenetic Algorithms GA s/w uses Darwinian (survival of the fittest), randomizing, and other mathematical functions to stimulate an evolutionary process that can yields increasingly better solutions to a problem.

Neural Networks"a computing system made up of a number of simple, highly interconnected processing elements, which process information by their dynamic state response to external inputs. Dr. Robert Hecht-Nielsen.

Intelligent AgentsAn intelligent agent (IA) is an autonomous entity which observes through sensors and acts upon an environment using actuators (i.e. it is an agent) and directs its activity towards achieving goals (i.e. it is rational).Intelligent agents may also learn or use knowledge to achieve their goals. They may be very simple or very complex: a reflex machine such as a thermostat is an intelligent agent, as is a human being, as is a community of human beings working together towards a goal. Robotics ApplicationsAI, engineering and physiology are the basic disciplines of robotics. This technology produces robot machines with computer intelligence and computer-controlled, humanlike physical capabilities. This area thus includes applications designed to give robots the powers of sight, or visual perception; touch or tactile capabilities; dexterity or skill in handling and manipulation; locomotion or the physical ability to move over any terrain; and navigation or the intelligence to properly find ones way to a destination.ROBOTICS APPLICATIONSVisual PerceptionTactilityDexterityLocomotionNavigationContdVisual Perception - Visual perception is the ability to interpret the surrounding environment by processing information that is contained in visible light. The resulting perception is also known as eyesight, sight, or vision. Tactility - Lee has defined tactile sensing as- the tactile sensor is defined as a device or system that can measure a given property of an object through contact in the world.Tactile sensing is defined as the process of detecting and measuring a given property of a contact event in a predetermined area and subsequent pre-processing of the signalsbefore sending them to higher levels for perceptual interpretation

ContdDexterity - skill in performing tasks, especially with the hands.

Locomotion - movement or the ability to move from one place to another.

Navigation - the process or activity of accurately ascertaining one's position and planning and following a route.

Natural Interface ApplicationsBeing able to talk to computers and robots in conversational human languages and have them understand us as easily as we understand each other is a goal of AI.Natural Interface ApplicationsNatural LanguagesSpeech RecognitionMultisensory InterfacesVirtual RealityContdMultisensory Interfaces Multisensory devices that use a variety of body movements to operate computers.Virtual reality It involves using multisensory human-computer interfaces that enable human users to experience computer-simulated objects, spaces, activities, and worlds as if they actually exist.