CHAPTER 4 DATABASES AND DATA ANALYTICS

Software Purpose and Information Systems Management

• Primary purpose of software often includes facilitating tasks, optimizing operations, and enhancing productivity within organizations.
• Common role of an information systems manager: overseeing the implementation and management of information systems to meet organizational goals.

Systems Life Cycle

• Preliminary investigation aims to assess viability and scope of proposed systems before full development.
• Main activity in systems maintenance involves tracking performance and making necessary updates to ensure system reliability and efficiency.

Qualifications and Phases

• Required qualifications for a systems analyst typically include a combination of technical proficiency, analytical skills, and knowledge of business operations.
• Phase involving defining alternatives, selecting the best system, and evaluating feasibility is the design phase of the systems life cycle.

Prototyping and Rapid Applications Development (RAD)

• Purpose of prototyping and RAD is to create visual models of systems that can be tested early in the development process, allowing for adjustments based on feedback.

Components and Levels of Information Systems

• Parts of an information system consist of hardware, software, data, procedures, and people.
• Informational needs are present at all organizational levels: strategic, tactical, and operational.

Functional View and Types of Information Systems

• Functional view of an organization categorizes departments by their roles, such as finance, marketing, operations, and human resources.
• Different types of computer-based information systems include Transaction Processing Systems (TPS), Management Information Systems (MIS), Decision Support Systems (DSS), and Executive Support Systems (ESS).

Office Automation and Knowledge Work Systems

• Office automation systems enhance routine clerical or administrative tasks, while knowledge work systems support professionals engaged in knowledge-intensive tasks.

Involvement and Procedures

• Various stakeholders including managers, IT staff, analysts, and end-users contribute to information systems in different capacities.
• Procedures in relation to an information system refer to the documented processes that guide system operations and usage.

Software Functions and Data Processing

• In software context, a program serves as a set of instructions that dictate how a computer processes data.
• Term describing equipment that processes data to create information is hardware.

Raw Data and Information Systems Purpose

• Raw, unprocessed facts include text, numbers, images, and sounds, collectively referred to as data.
• Main purpose of almost all information systems is to convert data into meaningful information for decision-making.

Transaction Processing and Management Information Systems

• Transaction Processing System (TPS) is mainly responsible for capturing and processing daily transactions, providing accurate and timely data.
• Primary function of a Management Information System (MIS) is to generate reports that support decision-making for management.

Decision Support Systems (DSS) and Executive Support Systems (ESS)

• DSS are flexible tools for data analysis due to their ability to utilize multiple data sources and analytical models.
• Executive Support Systems (ESS) are primarily used by senior executives for strategic decision-making.

Enterprise Resource Planning and Support Systems

• "Enterprise resource planning (ERP) dashboards" are examples of integrated management information systems that provide real-time data insights.
• Purpose of a Management Information System (MIS) is to transform raw data into actionable information for management purposes.
• System that assists lower-level managers in daily activities and objectives is typically referred to as a Transaction Processing System (TPS).
• Decision Support Systems (DSS) differ from Management Information Systems (MIS) primarily in their focus on analysis and scenario planning rather than routine reporting.