Introduction to System Analysis and Design Chapter 1

Information –
Data that has been changed into useful from of output.

Task of changing data into information call “processing”

Information system has 5 key components

1. Hardware
2. Software
3. Data
4. Processes
5. People
1. Hardware :
refers to the physical layer of the
information system
includes computers, networks,
communications equipment,
digital capture devices and
other technology-based infrastructure
2. Software :
• System software controls the computer,
operating system, device drivers , utilities
that handle tasks 
• Application software consists of programs
that support users and enable companies to
carry out business functions

 
Application software      
•In-house application -
develops by the company’s IT department.
•Software package -
purchasing from an outside vender that develops
for sells.
 Horizontal system – basic system
 Vertical system – designed to meet the
unique requirement
3. Data :
An information system transforms data
into useful information

4. Process or Procedure :
support a specific business model are
described in written documentation
manuals and online reference material
 
5. People :
Users (end users)
- Employees, Customers,Venders
and others who interact with an
information system.
• Internal users - Managers, Technicians,
Sales Reps and Corporate Officers
• External users - Customers, Suppliers
  Information systems must fulfill business needs
and support company objectives.

 The success or failure of a system usually

depends on whether users are satisfies with the
system’s output and operations
 
 Information technology (IT)
is a combination of
     Hardware
     Software
     Telecommunication systems
…that support operations,
…improve productivity and
…help managers make decision

A key part of IT involves systems analysis and design

 
Systems analyst working in the IT department
• Business profiles
A business profile defines a company’s overall
functions, processes, organization, products, services,
customers, suppliers, competitors, constraints and
future direction
• Business model
Graphically represents business functions that consist
of business process
•Business process
Describes specific events, tasks and desired results
Categories of Companies
• Production-oriented :
sell product
• Service-oriented :
offer information or service
• Internet-dependent firm

The growth of electronic commerce (e-commerce)

- B2C (business-to-consumer)
- B2B (business-to-business)
Type of business information systems
• Office systems
- administrative staff
• Operating systems
- operational personnel
• Management information systems
- lower and middle-level managers
• Executive information systems
- top managers
• Decision support systems
- business planners
• Expert systems
- control complex process or diagnose problem
Enterprise computing systems
Refers to information systems that support
company-wide
data management requirements
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)

Transaction processing systems

Transaction processing (TP) systems and
Online transaction processing (OLTP) systems
called operational systems because
process data generated by day-to-day business
operations
Business support systems (BSS)
provide job-related information support to users
produce valuable information,
employee at all level need information to perform
their job and rely on information systems
called Management information system (MISs)
User productivity systems
Provide employees at all organizational levels with a
wide array of tools that can improve quality and job
performance
Information systems integration
Combine enterprise computing, transaction processing,
business support, knowledge management and user
productivity features
Organizational Structure
Top management
Develop long-range plan called “strategic plan”
- Define the company’s overall mission and goals
- The company’s future survival and growth
including long-term IT plans.

Need information from outside the company

such as
- Economic forecasts
- Technology trends
- Competitive threats
- Governmental issues
- Shareholder concerns
Middle management
- Focus their goals on a shorter time frame,
usually ranging from one month to one year
- Develop plans to achieve business objectives in
a process called “tactical planning”
- Provide direction, necessary resources and feedback
on performance as task are completed.
Lower management
-Oversee employees and carry out day-to-day
operational plans.
-Ensure the right tools, materials and training are
available
- Coordinate operational tasks, make necessary
decision
Operational employees

- Enter and receive data to perform their jobs

- Need information to handle tasks
- Make decision that were assigned previously to
supervisor called “empowerment”
 
Systems Development Techniques and Tools
• Modeling
• Prototyping
• Computer-Aided Systems Engineering
• Application Development
• Other tools
Modeling –
Graphical representation of a concept or process that
system developer can analyze, test and modify

Prototyping –
involves the creation of an early working version of
the information systems or its components

Computer-Aided Systems Engineering - CASE

tools
Technique that uses powerful programs to help
systems analysts develop and maintain information
systems
Joint Application Development - JAD
Rapid Application Development - RAD
System development teams composed of IT staff, users
and managers could complete their work more rapidly
and produce better results

Microsoft VISIO
System development methodologies
■    Structured Analysis
■    Object Oriented Analysis

Structured Analysis : Process-centered technique

Uses a series of phases call ‘system development life
cycle’
– to plan, analyze, design, implement and support
information system

Object Oriented Analysis : O-O

Combines data and process that act on the data into
things called ‘objects’
The Systems Development Life Cycle

1. Systems Planning
2. Systems Analysis
3. Systems Design
4. Systems Implementation
5. Systems Operation and Support
1. Systems planning
• Describes problems or desired changes in an
information system or a business process
2. Systems Analysis
• Understand business requirements and build a
logical model
 

3. Systems Design
• Create a blueprint for the new system
• Identify all necessary outputs, inputs, interface
and process
• Design internal and external control
• Present to management and users for their review
and approval
4. Systems Implementation
• Program coding, systems test, install, training users

5. Systems Operation and Support

• Maintain and enhances the system
Information Technology Department
develops and maintains a company’s
information systems
 
IT Group / Technical Support
people with specialized skills to provide
information systems support
Typical IT Organization includes six main functions

• Application Development
Handle information system design, development and
implementation
• System Support
Provide hardware and software
• User Support – Help Desk or Information Center
(IC)
Provide users with technical information, training and
productivity support
• Database Administration
Database design, management, security, backup and
user access
• Network Administration
Control user access, network administrations install,
configure, manage, monitor and maintain network
application
• Web Support – Webmasters
Support internet and intranet operations, design and
construction of web pages, monitoring traffic and link
web-based application
The Systems Analyst Position
•Interacts with users and managers within and
outside company
•Plans, investigates, analyzes, designs, develops,
installs, implements, evaluates and maintains
information systems

Responsibilities
•Translate business requirement to meet company’s
needs
•Plans projects, develops schedules and estimates
costs