Overview of Information

Technology & Information

Systems
 Information technology (IT)
 Refers any computer-based tool that people use to work
with information and support the information and
information-processing needs of an organization
 Information technology is an important enabler of
business success and innovation
 When beginning to learn about information technology it
is important to understand the following:
 Information

 IT resources

 IT cultures
 Information
Information is a valuable asset in any organization,
whether it's printed or written on paper, stored
electronically, or sent by mail or electronic means, and
consequently it must be suitably protected. The
protection of information and the establishment of a
security management system is relevant to all types of
organizations, regardless of their size or the nature of
their business. This is especially important in our
increasingly interconnected business environment.
 What is an IS?
There is no universally accepted definition of an MIS and those that exist reflect the
emphasis and prejudices! Of the particular writer .

 a set of interrelated components working together to

facilitate operational functions and support management
decision making, by producing information that enables
managers to plan and control.

 A system to convert data from internal and external

sources into information and communicate that
information, in an appropriate form, to managers at all
levels in all functions to enable them make timely and
effective decision for planning, directing and controlling
the activities for which they are responsible.
 What is an IS?

 Management information system is those systems that

allow managers to make decisions for successful operation
of business.

 A system that uses the resources of people, hardware,

software and communication technology to perform input,
processing, output, storage, and control activities that
convert data resources into information products.

Computer –based or manual system that transforms data

into information useful in the support of decision making.
 The evolution of computer based
information systems

 Data processing (DP) during first half twentieth century.

 They were basically for processing numerical accounting data thus
they were located in electronic Data processing (EPD) department.

 Management information systems (MIS) 1964

 The MIS concept recognized that computer application should be
implemented for the primary purpose of producing management
information.

 Office automation (OA) 1964

 Facilitates communication, Increase productivity among managers
and office workers through the use of electronic devices.
 Include a variety of applications such as video conferencing, voice
mail, electronic mails, desktop publishing e.t.c.
The evolution of computer based information
systems (Expanding role of IS )
 Decision support system(DSS)1971
 A DSS is an informational producing system aimed at particular
problem that manager must solve and decisions that the manager
must make.
 Note distinction MIS: organization/group –general
 DSS: individual –specific.

 Artificial intelligence (AI) & expert system (ES) – 1990s

 Al in application that enable the computer system to perform some
of the same logical reasoning talks as humans.
 An expert system is a special subclass of that function as specialist in
a certain field. For example it can provide management consultancy.
 Components of an IS

People Resources
 People resources include end users and IS specialists.

 End users use an information systems the information it

produces i.e. accountants, salespersons, engineers, clerks,
customers, or managers.

 IS specialists are people who develop and operate

information systems, include systems analysts, software
developers, system operators, and other managerial,
technical, and clerical IS personnel. .
Hardware
Hardware resources include all physical devices and
materials used in information processing.

They include machines, such as computers and other

equipment, and data media that are tangible objects
on which data are recorded, from sheets of paper to
magnetic or optical disks.

Software Resources
Software resources include all sets of information
processing instructions.
Network Resources/communication
systems
Network resources include communications
media, communications processors, network
access and control software.

Information Products
Information products include management
reports and business documents using text and
graphics displays, audio responses, and paper
forms.
Data resources
 Data are raw material of IS which when processed result
in information that directly supports decision-making.
Data can take many forms – numbers, text, images, audio
etc. The data resources of ISs are typically organized,
stored, and accessed by a variety of data resource
management technologies into:

 Databases that hold processed and organized data; and

 knowledge bases that hold knowledge in a variety of
forms such as facts, rules, and case examples about
successful business practices.
 Model bases are used to transform data into a form that
could easily be used in decision making.
 Information technology Viz
Information Systems
Thus information technology - includes the
hardware, software, data­bases, networks, and
other electronic devices.

This is IT in its narrow definition and refers to

technological part of information systems hence
a subsystem of information systems.

A broader definition of IT would encompass

information systems, users and management.
 Information technology
 Many organizations use IT to support their operations as
IT has become the major facilitator of business activities
in the world today. IT also is used as it is a catalyst of
fundamental changes in the structure, operations, and
management of organizations.

 This is due to the capabilities it gives for pursuing

business objectives. These capabilities support the
following five business objectives:
(1) Improving productivity,
(2) Reducing costs,
(3) Improving decision making,
(4) Enhancing customer relationships, and
(5) Developing new strategic applications.
 Data, Information and Information
quality
Data; raw facts or observations about physical
phenomena or business transactions

Information is facts and observations which

result when data are processed, and directly
support decision making

For information products to be valuable and

useful to end-user and support sound decision
making it should have the following
characteristics or attributes (or qualities):
 Time dimension

Timeliness – provided when needed

Currency – up-to—date when it is provided
Frequency – provided as often as needed
Time period – provided about past, present and
future time periods if need be.
 Content dimension

Accuracy – be free from errors – or should have

highest possible level of accuracy.
Relevance – related to needs of a specific
recipient for a specific situation
Completeness – all that is needed is provided
Scope – broad or narrow scope or an internal or
external focus
Performance – reveal performance by measuring
activities accomplished, progress made, or
resources accumulated if need be.
 Form dimension

Clarity – provided in a form that is easy to

understand
Detail – in detail or summary form
Order – arranged in a predetermined sequence
Presentation - presented in narrative, numeric,
graphics, or other forms
Media – provided in the form of printed paper
documents, video displays, or other media.