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Data:
Data are only the raw facts, the material for obtaining information. Information systems use
data stored in computer databases to provide needed information. Information systems
capture data from the organization (internal data) and its environment (external data).
Information:
knowledge obtained from investigation, study, or instruction
Information is organized or classified data, which has some meaningful values for the
receiver. Information is the processed data on which decisions and actions are based.
When information is entered into and stored in a computer, it is generally referred to
as data. After processing (such as formatting and printing), output data can again be
perceived as information.
System:
According to Marshall McLuhan,
"System" means "something to look at".
A system is a group of interacting or interrelated elements that act according to a
plan to achieve a specific objective.
A system is a way of working, organizing, or doing something which follows a fixed
plan or set of rules.
CHARACTERISTICS OF A SYSTEM:
Organization
structure and order
Example: Hierarchical organization in a company.
Computer system: organization of various components like input devices,
output devices, CPU and storage devices
Interaction
Between sub systems or the components
Example: the main memory holds the data that has to be operated by the ALU.
Interdependence
Component linkage
Component dependence
Integration
How subsystems are tied together to achieve the system objective
Central Objective
Should be known in early phases of analysis
Our definition of a system suggests some characteristics that are present in all system.
Which is as follows :-
Elements of a System:
In most cases, systems analysts operate in a dynamic environment where change is a way
of life. The environment may be a business firm, a business application, or a computer
system. To reconstruct a system, the following key elements must be considered:
1. Outputs and inputs.
2. Processor(s).
3. Control.
4. Feedback.
5. Environment.
6. Boundaries and interface
Output
First of all, we must determine what the objectives or goals are, what we intend to achieve.
Once we know our aim, we can try to achieve it in the best possible way.
Input
Once we know the output, we can easily determine what the input should be.
Processes
Here we come to the details of how the inputs & files are converted into outputs. Processes
may modify the input totally or partially depending on the specifications of the output.
Control
Control of the system is the decision-maker that controls the activities of accepting input
processing and producing output.
For Eg.
Feedback
The feedback of the output allows it to be measured against some standards& making
adjustments in the processing accordingly.
Environment
The environment is the source of external elements that have an effect on the system. In
fact, it determines how a system must function.
For Eg.
A teller system in a commercial bank is restricted to the deposits, withdrawals & related
activities of customers checking and savings accounts.
Types of systems:
Systems have been classified in different ways. Common classifications are:
1. Physical or Abstract System
System owners are the information system’s sponsors and chief advocates. They are usually
responsible for funding the project to develop, operate, and maintain the information
system.
The information system owner is an organizational official responsible for the procurement,
development, integration, modification, operation, maintenance, and disposal of an
information system.
System users are the people who use or are affected by the information system on a regular
basis—capturing, validating, entering, responding to, storing, and exchanging data and
information. A common synonym is client. Types include:
– Internal users
• Clerical and service workers
• Technical and professional staff
• Supervisors, middle managers, and executive managers
• Remote and mobile users (internal but disconnected)
– External users
System designers create detailed design documentation for the development of computer
systems in accordance to business needs. They design the computer files, databases,
inputs, outputs, screens, networks, and programs that will meet the system users’
requirements.
Systems designers are the people who are responsible for the analysis and design of
information systems that are involved in the operation of organizations.
System builders construct the information system components based on the design
specifications from the system designers. In many cases, the system designer and builder
for a component are one and the same.
systems builder as a person who is central to the success of any systems development
project.
A systems analyst analyses the problems and needs of an organization to determine how
people, data, processes, communications, and information technology can best accomplish
improvements for the business. When information technology is used, the analyst is
responsible for:
– The efficient capture of data from its business source,
– The flow of that data to the computer,
– The processing and storage of that data by the computer, and
– The flow of useful and timely information back to the business and its people.
A systems analyst, also known as business technology analyst, is an information
technology (IT) professional who specializes in analyzing, designing and
implementing information systems. They may be responsible for developing cost analysis,
design considerations, staff impact amelioration, and implementation timelines.
A business analyst is a systems analyst that specializes in business problem analysis and
technology-independent requirements analysis.
A programmer/analyst (or analyst/programmer) includes the responsibilities of both the
computer programmer and the systems analyst.
Other synonyms for systems analyst include:
– Systems consultant
– Systems architect
– Systems engineer
– Information engineer
– Systems integrator
IT vendors and consultants sell hardware, software, and services to businesses for
incorporation into their information systems.
Where Systems Analysts Work
– In traditional businesses
– Working in traditional information services organizations
(permanent project teams)
– Working in contemporary information services organizations
(dynamic project teams)
– In outsourcing businesses
– Contracted to traditional businesses
– In consulting businesses
– Contracted to traditional businesses
– In application software businesses
– Building software products for traditional businesses
General Problem-Solving Approach
– Identify the problem.
– 2. Analyze and understand the problem.
– 3. Identify solution requirements or expectations.
– 4. Identify alternative solutions and decide a course of action.
– 5. Design and implement the “best” solution.
– 6. Evaluate the results. If the problem is not solved, return to step 1 or 2 as
appropriate.
–
Lecture-2
PLAYERS IN THE SYSTEMS GAME
CATEGORIES OF INFORMATION
There are three main categories of business information, and these are related to the
purpose for which the information is utilized. These are:
1. STRATEGIC INFORMATION :- This relates long-term planning policies and is therefore of
most interest to top management. For example, acquiring a new plant, a new product,
diversification of business etc, comes under strategic information.
2. TACTICAL INFORMATION :- This is of use in sort-term planning, i.e. months rather than
year, and is of more interest at departmental level. like budgeting, quality control,
service level, inventory level, productivity level etc.
3. OPERATIONAL INFORMATION :- This applies to the short-term, perhaps hourly, running
of a department. Various operator specific, machine specific and shift specific jobs for
quality control checks comes under this category.
All good information has the characteristics discussed below:
All good information has the following characteristics:
Subjectivity:
The value and usefulness of information are highly subjective, because what is information
for one person may not be for another.
Relevance:
Information is good only if it is relevant - that is, pertinent and meaningful to the decision
maker.
Timeliness:
Information must be delivered at the right time and the right place to the right person.
Accuracy:
Information must be free of errors, because erroneous information can result in poor
decisions and erode the confidence of users.
Correct information format:
Information must be in the right format to be useful to the decision maker.
Completeness:
Information is said to be complete if the decision maker can satisfactorily solve the problem
at hand using that information.
Accessibility:
Information is useless if it is not readily accessible to decision makers, in the desired format,
when it is needed.
THE PROCESS OF CONVERTING DATA INTO INFORMATION
How is data converted into information?
The steps in this process may include the following:
• COLLECTION
• CLASSIFICATION
• SORTING, ADDING, MERGING, AND SO ON
• SUMMARIZING
• STORING
• RETRIEVAL
• DISSEMINATION