Definition

Information systems are the means by which people and organizations, utilising technologies, gather, process, store, use and disseminate information An organization is like the nervous system in the human body it is the link that connects all the organization's components and provides for better operation and survival in a competitive environment

Other Definition
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Collection of hardware, software, data, people, and procedures that work together to provide information to a person or an organization. A special type of work system in which humans and/or machines perform work using resources to produce specific products and/or services for customers. Considered a semi-formal language which supports human decision making and action.

Components
It consists of computers, instructions, stored facts, people and procedures. Information Systems can be categorized in four parts:
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Management Information System (MIS). Decision Support System (DSS). Executive Information System (EIS). Transaction Processing System (TPS).

Management Information System (MIS)

are a combination of hardware and software used to process information automatically. typically have their own staff whose function it is to maintain existing systems and implement new technologies

Components
It consists of computers, instructions, stored facts, people and procedures. Information Systems can be categorized in four parts:
o o o o

Management Information System (MIS). Decision Support System (DSS). Executive Information System (EIS). Transaction Processing System (TPS).

Decision Support System

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A way to model data and make quality decisions based on it. DSS are usually computer applications with a human component. They can sift through large amounts of data and pick between the many choices.

Components
It consists of computers, instructions, stored facts, people and procedures. Information Systems can be categorized in four parts:
o o o o

Management Information System (MIS). Decision Support System (DSS). Executive Information System (EIS). Transaction Processing System (TPS).

Executive Information System

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a centralized electronic resource, composed of different kinds of software and hardware, from which executives can draw data from a variety of areas relevant to an organization. it can be used to provide information for largescale meetings or smaller strategy sessions. may also use the information as a quick reference and even access it from a portable device while away from the office.

Components
It consists of computers, instructions, stored facts, people and procedures. Information Systems can be categorized in four parts:
o o o o

Management Information System (MIS). Decision Support System (DSS). Executive Information System (EIS). Transaction Processing System (TPS).

Transaction Processing System

y y

the earliest computerized systems. Its primary purpose is to record, process, validate, and store transactions that take place in the various functional areas/of a business for future retrieval and use. are cross-functional information systems that process data resulting from the occurrence of business transactions.

Importance of Information System

An up-to-date information system gather, assimilate and evaluate internal as well as external information are gaining competitive advantage over other firms. y Enable companies to monitor employees, to keep managers and employees informed, to coordinate activities among division, or even to sell their products to costumer via the internet. y Information has become valuable organizational asset just like human resources and inventories. y Can facilitate direct communication between firm and suppliers, manufacturers, dealers and marketers.
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Definition

Information technology is the use of computers and software to manage information. IT is the study, design, creation, utilization, support, and management of computerbased information systems, especially software applications and computer hardware.

Other Definition
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IT is the acquisition, processing, storage and dissemination of vocal, pictorial, textual and numerical information by a microelectronics-based combination of computing and telecom munications.

Definition
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IT Architecture is an organized set of consensus decisions on policies & principles, services & common solutions, standards & guidelines as well as specific vendor products used by IT providers both inside and outside the Information Technology Branch (ITB).

IT Architecture Objectives
Architectural decisions should serve the Department's mission. The architecture serves heterogeneous environments. The greater the consensus achieved for individual architectural decisions, the greater the benefit.

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IT Architecture Objectives
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It should identify areas of stability without impeding essential innovation. Architectural decisions should describe the tangible results of conformance and nonconformance with the architecture. Architectural decisions should provide sufficient documentation to assess the compliance of a specific implementation.

Purpose of IT Architecture
To guide the process of planning, acquiring, building, modifying, interfacing and deploying IT resources throughout the Department. y It should offer a means of stable evolution by identifying technologies that work together to satisfy the needs of the Department users.
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Key Benefits of IT Architecture

It will help to insure interoperability inside and outside ITB and the Department. It's a way to inform developers of Department directions. It will help in making planning, development and purchase decisions . It will be useful in aligning information technology providers for the Department. It is a way to communicate direction (and changes) both inside and outside ITB. It will reduce the maintenance and support requirements.

It will help in planning migration to new technologies.

The Framework necessary for the IT Architecture

IT Architecture specifies (1) Policies (2) Principles that indicate direction (3) Services and common solutions (4) Standards and Guidelines, (5) Products that detail the means of implementation.

IT Architecture: A Note on Definition and Methodology



Methodology Model shows some of the components necessary for integration into the complete IT Architecture.

Methodology model
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IT Architecture is a blueprint for how future technology acquisitions and deployment will take place. It consists of standard, investment decisions, and product selections for hardware, software and communications. IT Architecture is consistent with the Department's information technology beliefs.

Definition
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by (Hanseth, 2002) as "a shared, evolving, open, standardized, and heterogeneous installed base" and by (Pironti, 2006) as all of the people, processes, procedures, tools, facilities, and technology which supports the creation, use, transport, storage, and destruction of information