COMP02 LECTURE

COMPUTER COLLEGE – CALAMBA CAMPUS HANDOUT

Basics of Information Systems

Information Concepts:

Data, Information, and Knowledge

Data: raw facts
Alphanumeric, image, audio, and video

Information: collection of facts organized in such a way that they have additional value beyond the value of the facts
themselves

Value of Information is directly linked to how it helps decision makers achieve their organization’s goals and can be
measured: in time required to make a decision, Increased profits to the company

The Characteristics of Valuable Information

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What Is an Information System?

Computer-Based Information Systems

Computer-based information system (CBIS): single set of hardware, software, databases, telecommunications, people,
and procedures configured to collect, manipulate, store, and process data into information

CBIS components

Hardware: computer equipment used to perform input, processing, and output activities
Software: computer programs that govern the operation of the computer
Database: organized collection of facts and information
Telecommunications: electronic transmission of signals for communications
Networks: connect computers and equipment in a building, around the country, and around the world

Business Information Systems

Most common types of information systems used in business organizations

Electronic and mobile commerce systems

Transaction processing systems
Management information systems
Decision support systems
Specialized business information systems

Electronic and Mobile Commerce

E-commerce: any business transaction executed electronically between parties

Companies (B2B)
Companies and consumers (B2C)
Consumers and other consumers (C2C)
Companies and the public sector
Consumers and the public sector

Transaction Processing Systems

Transaction: business-related exchange

Payments to employees
Sales to customers
Payments to suppliers
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Transaction processing system (TPS): organized collection of people, procedures, software, databases, and devices used
to record completed business transactions

Additional Business Information Systems

Management Information Systems (MIS): provide routine information to managers and decision makers

Knowledge Management Systems (KMS): create, store, share, and use the organization’s knowledge and experience
Artificial intelligence (AI)field in which the computer system takes on the characteristics of human intelligence
Decision support system (DSS)used to support problem-specific decision making

Hardware and Software Basics

Hardware Components

Central processing unit (CPU)

Arithmetic/logic unit (ALU): performs calculations and makes logical comparisons

Control unit: accesses, decodes and coordinates data in CPU and other devices

Primary memory: holds program instructions and data for processing

Secondary storage: more permanent storage

Input and output devices

Communications devices
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Processing and Memory Devices: Power and Speed

System unit
Houses the components responsible for processing (the CPU and memory)
All other computer system devices are linked either directly or indirectly into the system unit housing

Clock speed
Series of electronic pulses produced at a predetermined rate that affects machine cycle time
Clock speed is often measured in megahertz (MHz) for millions or gigahertz(GHz) for billions of cycles per second

Memory and Storage Characteristics and Functions

Types of Memory

Random access memory (RAM)

Temporary
Volatile

Read-only memory (ROM)

Usually nonvolatile

Secondary storage
Also called permanent storage
Nonvolatile
Greater capacity and greater economy than memory
Measured in bytes: kilo, mega, giga, tera
Different access methods

Sequential access: data must be accessed in the order in which it is stored

Sequential access storage devices (SASDs)

Direct access: data can be retrieved in any order

Direct access storage devices (DASDs)

Secondary Storage Devices

Magnetic tapes
Secondary storage used primarily for backups

Magnetic disks
Direct access secondary storage, e.g., hard disk

RAID
Stores extra bits so that data can be reconstructed if system fails

SAN
Provides high-speed connections between data storage devices and computers over a network Optical disks
Direct access optical disc, e.g., CD-ROM
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COMPUTER COLLEGE – CALAMBA CAMPUS HANDOUT

Digital video disk (DVD)

Stores several gigabytes of data

Flash memory
Nonvolatile silicon computer chip

Input Devices

Personal computer input devices

Keyboard, mouse

Speech-recognition technology
Input devices that recognize human speech

Digital cameras
Input device used with PC to record/store images in digital form

Terminals
Input and display devices that perform data entry and input at the same time

Touch-sensitive screens
Allow display screens to act as input devices as well as output devices

Bar-code scanners
Employs a laser scanner to read a bar-coded label

Magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) devices

Code data on banking forms, such as checks Pen input devices
Activate a command, enter handwritten notes, and draw objects

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)

Employs a microchip with an antenna to broadcast its unique identifier and location to a receiver

Output Devices

Display monitors (CRTs)

Output quality measured by number of pixels and dot pitch

Liquid crystal displays (LCDs)

Easier on eyes, use less electricity, take up less space than CRTs

Organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs)

Directly emits light rather than using backlight

Sharper colors and thinner displays Printers and plotters: hard copy output
Printers: laser, inkjet
Plotters: used for general design work
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Digital audio player

Stores, organizes, and plays digital music files

Overview of Software

Computer programs: sequences of instructions for the computer

Documentation: describes program functions

Systems software: coordinates the activities of hardware and programs

Application software: helps users solve particular problems

Systems Software
Controlling operations of computer hardware
Supports application programs’ problem-solving capabilities

Different types of systems software include:

Operating systems programs that control the hardware and interface with applications

Common hardware functions

Get input (e.g., keyboard)
Retrieve data from disks and store data on disks
Display information on a monitor or printer

User interface
Allows individuals to access and command the computer system
Command-based user interface: uses text commands
Graphical user interface (GUI): uses icons and menus to send commands to the computer system

Utility programs

Application Software
Give users the ability to solve problems and perform specific tasks
Interact with systems software; systems software then directs the hardware to perform tasks

Proprietary software: unique program for a specific application, usually developed and owned by a single company

Off-the-shelf software: existing software program that can be purchased

Customized package

Personal Application Software

Serves the needs of an individual user
Includes personal productivity software
Enables users to improve their personal effectiveness
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COMPUTER COLLEGE – CALAMBA CAMPUS HANDOUT

Workgroup Application Software

Workgroup application software: support teamwork, whether people are in the same location or dispersed around the
world

Groupware: software that helps groups of people work together more efficiently and effectively
Enterprise Application Software
Software that benefits an entire organization

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) software: programs that manage a company’s vital business operations for an entire
multisite, global organization
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Information, Decision Support, and Specialized Software

Used in businesses of all sizes and types to increase profits or reduce costs
Available in every industry
Example: analysis to increase the cure rate for cancer

Data Management

Data Management
Without data and the ability to process it, an organization could not successfully complete most business activities
Data consists of raw facts
For data to be transformed into useful information, it must first be organized in a meaningful way

The Hierarchy of Data

Bit (a binary digit): a circuit that is either on or off

Byte: eight bits

Character: basic building block of information

Each byte represents a character
Can be an uppercase letter, lowercase letter, numeric digit, or special symbol

Field: typically a name, number, or combination of characters that describes an aspect of a business object or activity

Record: a collection of related data fields

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COMPUTER COLLEGE – CALAMBA CAMPUS HANDOUT

File: a collection of related records

Database: a collection of integrated and related files

Hierarchy of data: bits, characters, fields, records, files, and databases

Data Entities, Attributes, and Keys

Entity: a generalized class of people, places, or things (objects) for which data is collected, stored, and maintained

Attribute: characteristic of an entity

Data item: value of an attribute

Key: field or set of fields in a record that is used to identify the record

Primary key: field or set of fields that uniquely identifies the record

Data Entities, Attributes, and Keys

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COMPUTER COLLEGE – CALAMBA CAMPUS HANDOUT

The Database Approach

Traditional approach to database management
separate data files are created for each application
Results in data redundancy (duplication)
Data redundancy conflicts with data integrity

Database approach to database management:

pool of related data is shared by multiple applications
Significant advantages over traditional approach

The Database Approach to Data Management

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COMPUTER COLLEGE – CALAMBA CAMPUS HANDOUT

The Database Approach Advantages

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COMPUTER COLLEGE – CALAMBA CAMPUS HANDOUT

The Database Approach Disadvantages

Data Modeling and the Relational Database Model

When building a database, consider:

Content: What data should be collected, at what cost?

Access: What data should be provided to which users and when?

Logical structure: How should data be arranged to make sense to a given user?

Physical organization: Where should data be physically located?

Data Modeling
Building a database requires two types of designs

Logical design
Abstract model of how data should be structured and arranged to meet an organization’s information needs

Data model: a diagram of data entities and their relationships

Entity-relationship (ER) diagrams: data models that use basic graphical symbols to show the organization
of and relationships between data

Physical design
Fine-tunes the logical database design for performance and cost considerations
ER diagram for a Customer Order Database
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COMPUTER COLLEGE – CALAMBA CAMPUS HANDOUT

ER diagram Showing the Relationship between the Manager, Department and Project
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COMPUTER COLLEGE – CALAMBA CAMPUS HANDOUT

Implementing the Relational Database Model

data elements are placed in two-dimensional tables (relations), which are the logical equivalent of files
Each row of a table represents a data entity
Columns of the table represent attributes
The domain of the database model consists of all of the allowable values for data attributes i

The Relational Database Model

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COMPUTER COLLEGE – CALAMBA CAMPUS HANDOUT

Manipulating Databases

Selecting: eliminates rows according to criteria

Projecting: eliminates columns in a table

Joining: combines two or more tables

Linking: relates or links two or more tables using common data attributes

Database Management Systems (DBMS)

Interface between:
Database and application programs
Database and the user
Creating and implementing the right database system ensures that the database will support both business activities and
goals

DBMS: a group of programs used as an interface between a database and application programs or a database and the
user

Overview of Database Types

Flat file
Simple database program whose records have no relationship to one another

Single user
Only one person can use the database at a time
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Examples: Access, FileMaker, and InfoPath

Multiple user
Allows dozens or hundreds of people to access the same database system at the same time
Examples: Oracle, Sybase, and IBM

Distributed Databases

Distributed database
Data may be spread across several smaller databases connected via telecommunications devices
Corporations get more flexibility in how databases are organized and used

Replicated database
Holds a duplicate set of frequently used data

Telecommunications

Basic Concepts of Telecommunications

Telecommunications: electronic transmission of signals for communications

Computer network: communications media, devices, and software needed to connect two or more computer systems or
devices

Network types: personal area network (PAN), local area network (LAN), metropolitan area network (MAN), wide area
network (WAN), and international networks

The Internet

Internet: collection of interconnected networks, all freely exchanging information

Internet Protocol (IP): communication standard that enables traffic to be routed from one network to another as needed

Uniform Resource Locator (URL): an assigned address on the Internet for each computer

Business Networks

Intranet: internal corporate network built using Internet and World Wide Web standards and protocols

Extranet: network based on Web technologies that links selected resources of a company’s intranet with its customers,
suppliers, or other business partners

Systems Development

An Overview of Systems Development

Managers and employees in all functional areas work together in a business information system
Users help and often lead the way with development process
Participants in systems development:
Determine when a project fails
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Are critical to systems development success

Participants in Systems Development

Development team consists of the following:

Project managers: coordinate system development effort

Stakeholders: directly or indirectly benefit from the project

Users: interact with the system regularly

Systems analysts: analyze and design business systems

Programmers: modify or develop programs to satisfy user requirements

Various support personnel: specialists, vendors

Information Systems Planning and Aligning Corporate and IS Goals

Information systems planning: translating strategic and organizational goals into systems development initiatives
Aligning organizational goals and IS goals is critical for any successful systems development effort
Determining whether organizational and IS goals are aligned can be difficult

Systems Development Life Cycles

The systems development process is also called a systems development life cycle (SDLC)
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Common SDLCs

Prototyping

Rapid application development (RAD) Systems

development approach that employs tools, techniques, and methodologies designed to speed application
development

End-user development any systems

development project in which the primary effort is undertaken by a combination of business managers and
users

Systems Development Activities

Systems investigation:
problems and opportunities are identified and considered in light of the goals of the business

Systems analysis:
study of existing systems and work processes to identify strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for improvement

Systems design:
defines how the information system will do what it must do to obtain the problem solution

Systems implementation:
creation or acquisition of various system components detailed in the systems design, assembling them, and placing
the new or modified system into operation

Systems maintenance and review:

ensures that the system operates as intended and modifies the system so that it continues to meet changing
business needs