Information Processing

Part 1
 Objectives

By the end of the lesson students should be able to:

 Identify sources of Information

 Distinguish between data and information
 Distinguish between source and turnaround documents
 Compare different forms of Information Processing Systems
Hello Mrs Johnson, do
you need me to do
anything?
 O, hello Selena. I
know I should have
called you earlier, I
just have a lot of
work doing….

Well , I am here to
help, just say the
word!
 As you know, we are in the process of
developing a brand new line of closets with
automated features. In order to make them the
best, we need to know exactly what our
customers are looking for.

Hmmm, yes. Is that the

reason why surveys and
questionnaires were
delivered to our customers
last week ?
Indeed. We used those data
collection instruments to
capture the data. I need
you to manipulate that
data and turn it into
something meaningful Like a report? In that
case , no problem.
Perfect! Have it
ready by this
Afternoon.
E-Textbook Reference:
Page 40

Those are some

Based on the scenario, answer the following: great
suggestions, I’ll
tell my boss
about them
 What items were used to capture data?

 Questionnaires and Surveys

 Why was the data collected?

 To capture customers needs and wants

 What does it mean to “manipulate that data and turn it into something
meaningful ?”

 Information processing**

 As an IT student, suggest an alternative way to capture and manipulate data.

 Hmmm…

This report is spot

on Selena. It is
relevant, accurate,
timely and Hey Mrs Smith, here
complete. Great is the information
work! This can be gathered from the
used in our for next surveys and
creative design. questionnaires
meeting

Great! May I make a

suggestion re
alternative ways to
capture data going
forward?

Go ahead
E-Textbook Reference:
Page 40

What is Data
Data and Information and
Information?

 Data is raw facts and figures that may not make much sense on their own,
such as a series of digits entered into a computer.

 Information is the usable result you get after data has been processed, when
the digits that were entered have been processed into a table you can read.

 Now that we know what is data and Information let’s take a look on a
scenario where they both come into play. Selena is currently working at
Closet Company who is well known for their innovation in closet creation. She
is the assistant to Mrs. Smith, the CEO of the company.
 Class Work

In groups research the following

 
1. Differentiate between turnaround documents and source documents and give
examples.
2. Explain Control Systems and give examples.
3. Give examples of Commercial Information Processing Systems
4. Give examples of Industrial Information Processing Systems
5. Give examples of Scientific Information Processing Systems
 Source Document

 A source document is a document used to capture information by writing it down.

 Source documents are human-readable, which means that a person will read and enter
information into that document. The best example is a form, which may be a hard copy (printed
copy) or electronic copy (soft copy).

 A form contains spaces and blocks that allow a person to enter relevant details. The data is then
entered into a computer.

 Forms are used for surveys, censuses, opinion polls, applications and market research, among
other things.
 Turnaround Document

 A turnaround document is human-readable and machine-readable. A machine

creates it and a human adds more data or uses it as input for something else.

 The document is then read by a computer, which updates or processes records

with the new data. This means that a machine creates it as output, which you
modify, and the machine uses that modified document as input again.

 Examples are utility bills, such as water bills, with the perforated section that is
completed by the customer and then used as input.
 Control Systems

Control systems are defined as a system of

devices that manages, commands, directs, or
regulates the behavior of other devices or
systems to achieve a desired result.
 Control Systems
 Household appliances, such as microwaves and washing machines, use control
systems to sense when they should start operating, how they should operate
and when to stop.
 Traffic lights are programmed to control the flow of traffic.
 Alarm systems use heat and motion sensors to determine whether an intruder
is in a room.
 Thermostats sense when the temperature is below a set value and switch the
heating on. They switch off when the temperature reaches another set value.
COMMERCIAL INFORMATION PROCESSING

In business and commerce, information processing is

important to keep track of transactions and records.

 Shops use point-of-sale (POS) systems and bar code

scanners to read prices on items and keep track of stock.
 Businesses use databases to store records about
customers, employees and suppliers.
 Payroll systems are very important to calculate employees’ salaries and
print pay slips.

 You can do banking at ATMs without entering a bank.

 Electronic banking is a very useful information processing system. Many

banks offer an internet banking service, which allows you to conduct
many transactions from your bank account over the Internet.

 You can also do an electronic funds transfer (EFT). EFT transfers money
from one account to another without using cash or cheques. Many people
pay for purchases at shops using their bank cards. This is a form of EFT.
The customer’s card is inserted into a POS terminal and funds are
transferred from the customer’s bank account to the shop’s bank
account.
 INDUSTRIAL INFORMATION PROCESSING

Information processing is a very useful and important tool in manufacturing and

production industries.

Computers automate tasks and do them more efficiently and effectively than
humans.

 Robots are used to package products or assemble cars and electronics.

 Computer Aided Design tools are used designing products

 Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) & Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM)

use special software to develop and test products
 SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION PROCESSING

 Weather forecasting systems collect weather data all over the world and use
the data to predict weather patterns.

 Health-care professionals use automated processing systems to keep track of

patient records. They also use robots to perform heart and eye surgery.

 Laboratories have machines that can read and process data from samples.
For example, a machine can analyze a blood sample and find its blood type.
 Advantages of Information Processing

 It makes a lot of tasks easier and faster. For example, you are able to pay
bills online or at a supermarket, which saves you going to the place that
issued the bill.

 A lot of data is stored during information processing. Stored data is quick and
easy to access and it does not have to be processed or examined again.

 It results in automation.

 It enables sharing and analysis of information. Information is easy to pass

along and stored information is easy to access and analyze.
Disadvantages of Information Processing

 It can be very expensive to set up initially because of the hardware, software

and technical requirements.

 Hardware and software must be replaced and kept up to date, and specialists
are often needed to operate these systems.

 We are very reliant on information processing systems. When they fail or do

not work properly, it can cause disruption and disorder. If an automatic teller
machine (ATM) is not working, people will be unable to withdraw money and
complete other transactions.
E-Textbook Reference:
Page 54

The Importance of Information

Processing
 The processing of data into information occurs when a processor acts on the

input it receives.

 Eg: Picking up an item in the super market and taking it to the cashier for it to be

scanned and then cashed.

 Information Processing is only valuable if the information can be stored

and retrieved quickly, accurately and efficiently.