Information System Overview

Information Systems (IS)

• An information system is a set of related components that produces specific results.
• It is an arrangement of people, data, processes, communications, and information technology that interact to support and improve day-to-day operations in a business.

Components of an Information System

• There are five key components: hardware, software, data, processes, and people.
• Hardware consists of everything in the physical layer of the information system, including servers, workstations, networks, telecommunications equipment, mobile devices, scanners, and digital capture devices.

Hardware and Software

• Software refers to the programs that control the hardware and produce the desired information or results.
• Software consists of system software and application software.
• System software manages the hardware components, including the operating system, security software, device drivers, and utility programs.
• Application software consists of programs that support day-to-day business functions and provide users with the information they require.

People and Data

• People who will interact and use the system include technical and non-technical people, stakeholders, users, management groups, and IT staff members.
• Data is the raw material that an information system transforms into useful information.
• An information system can store data in various locations, called tables, which can be linked to extract specific information.

Processes and Importance of Information Systems

• Processes/Procedures describe the tasks and business functions that users, managers, and IT staff members perform to achieve specific results.
• Information systems are important for businesses to make information accurate and accessible, to support better planning and decision-making, and to achieve desired results.