WELCOME

ITC 1014
Business Computing

JANUARY 2023

SKY @Shaazim Ibhaidullah Dadameah

shaazims@sunway.edu.my
Introduction to Computers and
Information Systems

(Picture Source: http://aisp.bus.wisc.edu)

Computer

• An electronic device that can accept data (input), process the data
accordingly, produce information (output), and store the information
for future use.
• It contains many electric, electronic, and mechanical
components known as hardware.
Computer

• The electronic components (hardware) process data using

instructions, which are the steps that tell the computer how to
perform a particular task. MOVE $R1 $R2
ADD $R2 $R3 $R4
ADD $R1 $R4 $R5

• A collection of related instructions organised for a common purpose

is referred to as a software or program.
Type of Computers

• Mainframe Computer.
• Super Computer.
• Workstation Computer ANALOG
• Server DIGITAL
• Personal Computer (PC) / Desktop
HYBRID
• Laptop
• Tablet
• Smartphone
• SBC or single board computers
• Wearable computers
• Hand-held computers
Data vs. Information

• Computers process data (input) into information (output).

Data Information
Processing

Raw Facts: Organized & Processed Data:

• Employee No. • Total Expenses for Staff
• Working Hours • Customer Spending Behavior
• Part No.
• Sales Order
Inputs
“In computer science, the general meaning of input is to provide or give
something to the computer, in other words, when a computer or device is
receiving a command or signal from outer sources, the event is referred to as
input to the device”

• Keyboards
• Desktop / Laptop
• On-screen
• Virtual
• Pointing Devices
• Mouse
• Touchpad
• Voice and Video
• Scanners
Outputs

“Any information processed by and sent out from a computer or other

electronic device is considered output”

• Displays
• Visually conveys text, graphics, and video information.
• Printers
• Produces text and graphics on a physical medium.
• Speakers
• Allow you to hear voice.
• Memory and Storage
• Stores data or information for future use.
Uses of Computer (Technology)

• Education
• Government
• Finance
• Retail
• Entertainment
• Health Care
• Travel
• etc…
Top Trending Technologies in 2022

• Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. Artificial intelligence and

machine learning once represented the cutting edge of computer
science. ...
• Data Science. ...
• Full Stack Development. ...
• Robotic Process Automation. ...
• Edge Computing. ...
• Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality. ...
• Blockchain. ...
• 5G.
• FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY - FINTECH
FINTECH

• Fintech refers to the integration of technology into offerings by

financial services companies in order to improve their use and
delivery to consumers.

Examples of FinTech
•Digital Lending and Credit. FinTech giant Kabbage directly funds small
business loans and is powered by transactional data to help make incredibly
quick lending decisions.
•Mobile Banking.
•Mobile Payments.
•Cryptocurrency & Blockchain.
•Insurance.
•Trading.
Uses of Computer (Technology)

• It is widely used in different areas for different purposes.

• Very often, computer also serves as a component in a system.

• A system is a set of components 成 分 that interact to achieve a

common goal.
System

• For example, businesses use many types of system:

• Billing System
• Payroll System
• Manufacturing System
• Very often, these systems are also information systems.
Information System (IS)

• What is Information System (IS)?

“A set of interrelated components that collect, manipulate,

store, and disseminate data and information and provide a
feedback mechanism to meet an objective.”
(Source: Ralph Stair and George Reynolds, “Principles of Information Systems”)

• It is a feedback mechanism that helps organizations to achieve their

goals, such as increasing profits or improving customer service.
Information System (IS)

• Information systems are everywhere.

• ATM
• Check-in Kiosk

• They collect information from users, send the information over

the network for verification, process the information, and
provide output or feedback back to the users (in this case,
could be in the form of bank note, boarding pass).

• The value of information is directly linked to how it helps

decision makers achieve the organization's goals.
Information System (IS)

• As mentioned previously, Information System (IS) is a set of

interrelated elements or components that collect (input),
manipulate (process), store, and disseminate (output) data and
information and provide a corrective reaction (feedback
mechanism) to meet an objective.

Processing
Inputs Outputs
Mechanism

Feedback
Input, Processing, Output, Feedback

• Input
• Activity of gathering and capturing raw data.
• Processing
• Converting or transforming data into useful outputs. May involve
calculations, comparing data, and storing data for future use.
• Output
• Producing useful information, usually in the form of documents and reports.
• Feedback
• Information from the system that is used to make changes to input or
processing activities.
Input, Processing, Output, Feedback
• Example: Payroll System
No. of Hours
Hourly Pay Rate
ID All Employee No.

Processing
Inputs Outputs
Mechanism

Feedback
a) Verify the reports and expenses (out of range?)
b) For manager to make specific decisions (to fire someone?)
Manual vs. Computerized IS

• When there is a large amount of data, it is not efficient to

collect, process, store, and disseminate data into information
manually.

• Computers and IS help make it possible for organizations to

improve the way they conduct business.

• Nowadays, computers (technology) are widely being used to

improve the efficiency and accuracy.
Computer-based IS (CBIS)

• A set of hardware, software, databases, telecommunications,

people, and procedures that are configured to collect,
manipulate, store, and process data into information.
Computer-based IS (CBIS)

• Hardware
• Physical components of a component that perform the input, processing,
storage, and output activities of the computer.
• Software
• Programs that govern the operation of the computer. For example, to allow
the computer to process payroll, send bills to customer, provide managers
with information to increase profit, and etc.
• Databases
• Organized collection of facts and information on, for instance, customers,
employees, inventory, sales, online purchases, and etc.
Computer-based IS (CBIS)

• Telecommunications
• Transmission of signals for communications. Enable organizations to carry out
their processes and tasks through wired or wireless network, and satellite
transmission.
• People
• Manage, run, program, and maintain the system.
• Procedures
• Strategies, policies, methods, and rules for using CBIS. Including the
operation, maintenance, and security of the computer. For example,
procedures to describe when each program should run.
Computer-based IS (CBIS)

• The types of CBISs that organisations use can be classified into

four basic groups:
• E-Commerce
• Transaction Processing System (TPS)
• Decision Support System (DSS)
• Knowledge Management System (KMS)
Computer-based IS (CBIS)

• E-Commerce
• Involves any business transaction executed electronically between parties
such as companies and consumers, etc.
• Use IS and the internet to perform all business-related tasks and functions.
• Transaction Processing System (TPS)
• Handles large volume of business transactions that occur daily within an
organization.
• For example, a Payroll TPS transform numbers of employee hours worked
and pay rates (input) into paychecks (output).
Computer-based IS (CBIS)

• Decision Support System (DSS)

• Organized collection of people, procedures, databases, and devices that help
make problem-specific decisions.
• Make effective decisions.
• Helps a manager to “do the right thing”.

• Knowledge Management System (KMS)

• Organized collection of people, procedures, databases, and devices used to
create, store, share, and use the organisation’s knowledge and experience.
• For example, shipping company can use KMS to streamline its transportation
and logistics business.
IS in Business

• Finance and Accounting

• Forecast revenues and business activity, determine the best
sources and uses of funds, manage cash and other financial
resources, analyze investments and perform audits to ensure that
the organisation is financially sound and that all financial reports
are accurate.
• Sales and Marketing
• Develop new goods and services (product analysis), select the
best location for production and distribution facilities (place and
site analysis), determine the best advertising and sales
approaches (promotion analysis), and set produce prices to get
highest total revenues (price analysis).
IS in Business

• Manufacturing
• Process customer orders, develop production schedules, control
inventory levels, and monitor product quality.
• Human Resources
• Screen applicants, administer performance tests to employees,
monitor employee productivity.
IS in Industry

• Investment Firms
• To analyse stocks, bonds, options, the future market, and other
financial instruments and provide improved services to their
customers.
• Banks
• Help make sound loans and good investments as well as to
provide online check payment for account holders.
• Transportation Industry
• To schedule trucks and trains to deliver goods and services at the
lowest cost.
IS in Industry

• Publishing
• To analyze markets and to develop and publish newspapers,
magazines, and books.
• Healthcare Organisations
• To diagnose illness, plan medical treatment, track patient records,
and bill patients,
• Retail Companies
• To help market products and services, manage inventory levels,
control the supply chain, and forecast demand.