IS162: INTRODUCTION TO INFORMATION

SYSTEM
 INTRODUCTION

This course provides a solid grounding of information systems and

their usage in organizations.
 OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:
1. Identify and utilize information and computer system components and
peripherals.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of basic system software and application software.
3. Identify and apply the steps involved in analysing Information Technology (IT)
solutions.
4. Demonstrate the ability to use networks, world-wide-web, and other
communication tools in a variety of settings.
5. Create and/or modify files appropriately using office productivity tools: word
processor, spreadsheet, presentation, and database.
 ASSESSMENT PLAN

• Test 1 on 6th Week

• Test 2 on 11th Week
• Assignments and other Activities (Self-
readings, group discussions, labs)
• Final Examination
 COURSE CONTENTS

 Unit I: System Design through Problem Solving: System life cycle, security
(backup, redundancy, encryption).
 Unit II: Hardware: Current storage (measurements, types), peripheral
components, processing, security (physical components, locks), ethics
(responsible disposal).
 Unit III: Software Applications: System software (OS, NOS, utilities, antivirus),
application software, security, licensing considerations and ethics, appropriate use
of resources.
 Unit IV: Networks: Concepts and terminology, components, uses of networks,
security (passwords, firewalls, configurations), ethics (hacking, approved use).
 RECOMMENDED READINGS

1. R. Kelly Rainer, Prince Brad, 2015; Introduction to Information Systems: Supporting

and Transforming Business, 6th Edition, John Wiley & Sons.
2. James A. O'Brein, 2012, Introduction to Information Systems, McGraw-Hill
Education.
LECTURE 1: OVERVIEW OF INFORMATION
SYSTEMS
DATA, INFORMATION AND KNOWLEDGE
 INFORMATION CONCEPTS

 Information
 One of an organization’s most valuable resources
 Often confused with the term data

Data, Information and Knowledge

Data Information
Process: Set of logically
related tasks performed to
Collection of facts organized
Raw facts achieve a specified outcome.
in such a way that they have
(represents
value beyond the facts
real world
themselves
things, i.e.,
12345, e.g., Sales manager wants
individual sales data

There are three things to remember:

1. Data must go through some sort of transformation to become information.
2. When meaningful context is added to data it becomes information.
3. For data to becomes information there are must be a purpose.
DATA, INFORMATION, AND KNOWLEDGE

Knowledge

Awareness and
understanding of a set of
information and the ways it
can be made useful to
support a task.

Having a knowledge means

understanding relationships in
information
EXAMPLE
• What is meant with the following?

Johnson359585892051243AF

Data
EXAMPLE
It actually means…….

3595858JohnsonAF92051243

Student ID Surname Initials Date of Birth Mark

Data Information
EXAMPLE
What conclusion can be made…….

Student Johnson, AF
43% = Fail

Information Knowledge
 CHARACTERISTICS OF VALUABLE
INFORMATION
Characteristics Definitions
Accessible Information should be easily accessible by authorized users so they can obtain it
in the right format and at the right time to meet their needs.
Accurate Accurate information is error free. In some cases, inaccurate information is
generated because inaccurate data is fed into the transformation process. This is
commonly called garbage in, garbage out (GIGO).
Complete Complete information contains all the important facts. For example, an
investment report that does not include all important costs is not complete.
Economical Information should also be relatively economical to produce. Decision makers
must always balance the value of information with the cost of producing it.
Flexible Flexible information can be used for a variety of purposes. For example,
information on how much inventory is on hand for a particular part can be used
by a sales representative in closing a sale, by a production manager to
determine whether more inventory is needed, and by a financial executive to
determine the total value the company has invested in inventory.
Relevant Relevant information is important to the decision maker. Information showing
that Timber prices might drop might not be relevant to teachers.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF VALUABLE
INFORMATION (CONT’D.)
Characteristics Definitions
Reliable Reliable information can be trusted by users. In many cases, the reliability of the
information depends on the reliability of the data-collection method. In other
instances, reliability depends on the source of the information. A rumor from an
unknown source that oil prices might go up might not be reliable.
Secure Information should be secured from access by unauthorized users.
Simple Information should be simple, not complex. Sophisticated and detailed
information might not be needed. In fact, too much information can cause
information overload, whereby a decision maker has too much information and is
unable to determine what is really important.
Timely Timely information is delivered when it is needed. Knowing last week’s weather
conditions will not help when trying to decide what coat to wear today.
Verifiable Information should be verifiable. This means that you can check it to make
sure it is correct, perhaps by checking many sources for the same
information.
INFORMATION CONCEPTS
• What will happen when information does not adhere to the
characteristics?
 Poor decisions are made
 Cost the company money
 Have little value to company
 Company will not achieve its goals
WHAT IS A SYSTEM?
SYSTEM CONCEPTS
 System
 Set of elements or components that interact to accomplish goals
 A system takes something and produces something
 Examples of systems are everywhere – an automatic car wash, the
heating in a building, the human body…
SYSTEM CONCEPTS
 Components of a system

FEEDBACK

INPUT PROCESSING OUTPUT

THINK EXAMPLES OF SYSTEMS THAT
YOU HAVE ENCOUNTERED SO FAR
TODAY
WHAT IS AN INFORMATION SYSTEM?

An information system (IS) is a set of interrelated elements or

components that collect, manipulate, store and disseminate data and
information and provide a corrective reaction (feedback mechanism)
to meet an objective.

The effective use of IS strategies;

• Help drive sales
• Ensure customers are happy
• Assist with key business decisions
COMPONENTS OF AN IS

FEEDBACK

INPUT PROCESSING OUTPUT

(Collects) (manipulates & stores) (disseminates)
EXAMPLE
 Think of an ATM and complete the following:
 Inputs
 Processing mechanisms
 Feedback mechanism
 Output
THE VALUE OF INFORMATION

 Directly linked to how it helps decision makers achieve their

organization’s goals
 Valuable information
 Can help people and their organizations perform tasks more efficiently
and effectively
INFORMATION SYSTEM

Therefore, an IS is a set of interrelated elements or components that collect

(inputs), manipulate & store (process) and disseminate (output) data
and information and provide a corrective reaction (feedback mechanism)
to meet an objective.
 Input: Activity of gathering and capturing raw data
 Processing: Converting or transforming this input data into useful
outputs
 Output: Production of 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
 EXAMPLE

What will happen to our company in the next few years if 50%
of our customer base will stop using our products?
So, what did we just do?

Forecasting
Predicting future
events
INFORMATION
SYSTEMS
An information system can be
manual (paper-based) or
computerized.
COMPUTER-BASED
INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Single set of hardware, software,

databases, telecommunications,
people, and procedures that are
configured to collect, manipulate,
store, and process data into
information.
COMPONENTS
OF A CBIS
COMPUTER-BASED INFORMATION
SYSTEMS (CONT’D)
Hardware: consists of computer equipment
used to perform input, processing, storage and
output activities such as;
 Input devices
 Processing devices
 Output devices
 Storage devices
COMPUTER-BASED INFORMATION
SYSTEMS (CONT’D)
 Software are computer programs that govern the operation of the
computer. Three types of software;
• System software controls basic operations of computer
including startup, input and output.
• Application software; allows you to accomplish a specific
task.
• Application development software for developing software.
COMPUTER-BASED INFORMATION
SYSTEMS (CONT’D)

 Database
 Organized collection of facts and information, typically consisting of two or
more related data files.
 Most of business applications are database applications which contain
information on customers, employees, inventory, competitors’ sales, online
purchases and much more.
 Database management systems
 Data doubles every two years.
 COMPUTER-BASED INFORMATION
SYSTEMS (CONT’D)
Telecommunications: is the exchange of
information in any form (voice, data, text, images,
audio, video) over networks. It is referred as
electronic transmission of signals for
communications which enables organizations to
carry out their processes and tasks through
computer networks.
 Networks: Connect computers and equipment to
enable electronic communication in a building or
around the world.
 Internet: World’s largest computer network,
consisting of thousands of interconnected
networks, all freely exchanging information.
CBIS: CLOUD-COMPUTING AND
THE WEB
• Cloud-computing environment:
Provides software and data storage via the Internet in order to:
• Run services on another organization’s computer
hardware
• Easily access software and data

• World Wide Web (WWW or Web)

• Network of links on the Internet to documents containing
text, graphics, video, and sound
 CBIS: INTRANETS AND
EXTRANETS
• Intranet: internal network that allows people
within an organization to exchange information
and work on projects.
• Extranet: network based on Web technologies
that allows selected outsiders, e.g., business
partners and customers, to access authorized
resources of a company’s intranet.
COMPUTER-BASED INFORMATION
SYSTEMS (CONT’D)
Procedures: include the strategies, policies, methods
and rules for using the CBIS (including the operation,
maintenance and security of the computer).
• Good procedures can help companies take advantage of new
opportunities and avoid potential disasters.
• Poorly developed and inadequately implemented procedures can
cause people to waste their time or result in inadequate responses
to problem or disasters.
COMPUTER-BASED INFORMATION
SYSTEMS (CONT’D)
 People are the 5th component of an Information
System
 People are the most important element in most
computer-based information systems;
 Many people forgets the importance of people in an
information system.