Kira Morris

System Analysis and Design

10/26/17

IS vs IT

Compare and contrast components and purposes of Information Technology (IT) and

Information Systems (IS) in organizations

Information Systems

Information systems is defined as an umbrella term for the systems, people and processes

designed to create, store, manipulate, distribute and disseminate information. They represent a

collection of interrelated elements, components, and modules that function together to

accommodate a specific given purpose. Each system has a structure that is comprised of five

sections; data, hardware, software, procedures, and the people who use them. The field of

information systems bridges business and computer science in many different ways and allows

organizations to create systems to fit whatever the company may need. A functioning IS can

contribute to a lot of key business objectives by collecting data, storing data, manipulating data

to create information, and disseminate data and information throughout the entire business.

A business itself can be considered as a system when you think about it. Once each

division of labor is sorted out, they each have defined tasks that must be accomplished in order

for the organization to function properly.

One of the reasons people may not distinguish between IS and IT is that they assume all

information systems are computer-based systems, and thou this misconception is common it’s far
from true. An example of an information system is a pencil and a piece of paper. The two objects

themselves are just tools, but together they create a system for writing (information).Although

information systems are heavily reliant on computers and other technology-based tools, the term

predates computers and can include non-technological systems.

The systems interior structure consists mainly of two parts; highly cohesive modules that

perform specific well defined functions and a loosely coupled module setup that allows each

component to function easily without being impacted by other pieces. Systems can be either

static or dynamic. Static systems are constant while dynamic systems change over time. Systems

can also be open or closed. When a system is open it has the ability to freely interact with its

environment, whereas if it were closed it could not.

The term ISD is the process an organization goes through in order to create a system that

would benefit the business. They first go through a planning phase to define the IS’s purposes.

Then they design the system itself, which is where IT first comes into place. Then after

everything is built it’s tested for implementation. If the end product matches expectation, then it

will be used. If something goes wrong though, the entire project must be redone from the

beginning phase until it’s satisfactory.

Careers in information systems can include a variety of fields, such as actuarial sciences,

analytics and programming, online game design/structure, communications, computer security

and auditing.

Information Technology

Information technology is a more defined area that falls under the IS umbrella and it only

deals with the technology involved in the systems themselves. Information technology can be
defined as the study, design, implementation, support or management of computer-based

information systems. The term is commonly used as a synonym for computers and computer

networks, but it also encompasses other information distribution technologies such as television

and telephones.

IT typically includes all the hardware, software, databases and networks that make IS

function. Information technology is the section of the systems that often governs the acquisition,

processing, storage and dissemination of digitized information, or data, generated through the

disciplines of computing and telecommunications. Information technology focuses on managing

technology and improving its utilization to advance the overall business goals and keep

everything running smoothly.

For example, an information system like wiki.answers.com contains many information

technologies. Servers, server operating systems, web-server software (IIS, Apache, et al), and

code written for the web-server software (PHP, C#, VB, PERL, Ruby, et al). Even your

computer and browser make up part of this information system. Like the pencil and paper

example, each one of the mentioned parts of this information system in itself is an information

technology.

Information Systems Management (ISM) is the application of information technology to

support the major functions and activities of either a private sector business or public sector

institution. In the past, organizations recognized the importance of managing resources such as

labor, capital, and raw materials. Today, it is widely accepted that managing the information

resource is very often equally important. ISM supports the process of collection, manipulation,

storage, distribution and utilization of an organization's information resources.

 A career in information technology often requires a degree in computer or information

science and can offer several career paths, such as cybersecurity, network or database

administration, infrastructure management, business intelligence or enterprise resource planning,

computer programming and software development.

References

Valacich, J. S., George, J. F., & Hoffer, J. A. (2015). Essentials of Systems Analysis and Design

(Sixth ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Pearson.

https://www.floridatechonline.com/blog/information-technology/information-systems-vs-

information-technology/