The Basics of Information Systems
Purpose of Information Systems
• Information systems
– Collects, stores and organizes information
– Retrieves value from data
– Harness many types of data
– Computer’s reason for existence
Purpose of Information Systems
• Components of an information system
– Physical means of storing information
– Procedures for ensuring data integrity
– Rules regarding data use and distribution
– Means of distributing the data
– Tools to organize the data
Types of Information Systems
• Office automation systems
– Performs various office tasks
– Allows users to efficiently handle data
– Tedious tasks become simple
– Built using off-the-shelf systems
– Allow seamless integration of data
Types of Information Systems
• Transaction processing systems (TPS)
– Transaction is a complete event
• Completed in a series of steps
– Tracks and processes transactions
– Each step is monitored
• Details sent to the appropriate person
– Errors must be remedied immediately
Types of Information Systems
• Management information systems (MIS)
– Tools for managers and decision makers
– Organizes and evaluates information
– Summarizes reports based on need
• Managers require different views of data
Management Information System
Types of Information Systems
• Decision support system
– Organizes information for better decisions
– Different data and criteria are evaluated
– Often based on spreadsheet software
– Provides tailored and structured reports
Types of Information Systems
• Expert systems
– Perform tasks done by a person
– Analyze data and suggest an action
– Requires a large knowledge base
– Inference engines
• Analyze the data
• Make the decisions
Expert System
Information Systems Technology
• Intranets
– Private network using internet technology
– Employees use to access data
– Databases are stored on the Intranet
– Access to outside users is blocked
Information Systems Technology
• Extranets
– Outside access to an intranet
– Goal is to simplify a process
– Just-in-time inventory
• Manufacturer keeps little material in stock
• Arranges to have stock delivered daily
Information Systems Technology
• Virtual Private Networks
– Secure connection over the Internet
– Tunneling provides security
• Data transmitted in an encrypted packet
– Employees use to work from home
– Networks use to connect securely
– Once established, the VPN is transparent
Virtual Private Network
Information Systems Technology
• Electronic data interchange (EDI)
– Electronic transfer of data
– Data transferred in a precise manner
– Networks often share an information system
– Over time can save organizations money
Information Systems Technology
• Data warehousing
– Provides 24×7 access to data
– Fault tolerant
– Data security
Information Systems Technology
• Data scrubbing
– Provides for data consistency and validity
– Compares data to a set of rules
• Failures are repaired or removed
– Should be performed at all levels
• Data entry
• Storage
– As rules change data is rescrubbed
Information Systems Hardware
• Server farms
– Collection of servers and mainframes
• Servers work together
– Servers are either distributed or collected
– Uses of server is critical
Information Systems Hardware
• Enterprise storage
– Methods and technologies to store data
– Efficiently store large amounts of data
– Data is accessible at all times
– RAID and NAS are two types
Information Systems Hardware
• RAID
– Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks
– Links a number of hard drives
– Provides data redundancy
– Can speed access to data
– RAID 0
• Disk striping
– RAID 1
• Disk mirroring
– RAID 3, 4, and 5
• Disk striping with parity
RAID 1 Multiple Disk Mirror
Information Systems Hardware
• NAS
– Network Attached Storage
– Disk storage connected to network media
– Disk system processes and delivers data
– Storage Area Networks (SAN)
Information Systems Hardware
• Backup
– Protects files and settings
– Can restore data to an earlier point
– Crucial to any information system
– Transaction rollback
• Logs changes to a file
• Changes are undone when necessary
– Tape backup
• Copies files to a tape
• Files need recopied when necessary
Information Systems Hardware
• Nonstop and redundant systems
– Mission critical system
– Must run 24×7
– Most information systems mission critical
– Redundant systems are backup computers
• Backup takes over when necessary
Information Systems Hardware
• Scalable and interoperable systems
– Scalability
• Defines a systems ability to grow
• Software and hardware grows
– Interoperable systems
• Work with other systems
• Little configuration is needed
Information Systems Department
• Integral part of any organization
• Maintains equipment, software and data
• Enables other employees to function
• Requires highly trained employees
• Various names
– Information Systems (IS)
– Information Technology (IT)
– Management Information Systems (MIS)
Chapter 12A
End of Chapter