Introduction to Information Systems

Introduction to Information Systems

• Lecture 1 covers Information Systems Concepts.
• Information systems are used in virtually every profession.
• Examples include entrepreneurs, sales representatives, managers, and financial advisors.
• Information systems are essential tools for achieving career goals.

Data, Information, and Knowledge

• Data are raw facts.
• Information is organized and processed data that has value beyond individual facts.
• Knowledge is understanding a set of information.

What is Information?

• Information is a collection of facts.
• Information can take various forms like text, numbers, images, audio, and video clips.
• Information is a valuable resource for organizations.
• Information is often confused with data.

Data Into Information

• Data transforms into information through a process applying knowledge.
• This process includes selecting, organizing, and manipulating data.

Defining an Information System

• An information system (IS) is a set of interrelated elements.
• Elements include gathering (input), processing, storing, disseminating (output) data and information, and providing corrective feedback to achieve objectives.

Input, Processing, Output, Feedback

• Input involves gathering and capturing raw data.
• Processing converts data into useful results.
• Output produces useful information, often in documents or reports.
• Feedback uses information from the system to adjust input and processing activities.

The Value of Information

• Information helps decision-makers achieve organizational goals.
• Information enables people and organizations to perform tasks efficiently and effectively.

Characteristics of Valuable Information

• Valuable information is accessible, complete, flexible, reliable, secure, simple, verifiable, accurate, economical, and timely.

Characteristics and Definitions

• Accessible: Information easily accessible to authorized users.
• Accurate: Information is free of errors.
• Complete: Information contains all essential facts.
• Economical: Cost-effective to produce.
• Flexible: Versatile in its uses.
• Relevant: Important to decision-makers.
• Reliable: Trusted by users.
• Secure: Protected from unauthorized access.
• Simple: Unambiguous.
• Timely: Delivered when needed.
• Verifiable: Can be confirmed.

Careers in Information Systems

• Career opportunities in IS are expected to increase.
• IS budgets are expected to surge.
• Mobile applications play a key role in this surge.
• IS workers need strong communication skills, detailed organizational knowledge, and understanding of how IS support business objectives.

Roles, Functions, and Careers in IS

• Primary roles in information systems include systems development and operations.
• Systems development: Focuses on projects and maintenance.
• Operations: Primarily runs and maintains IS equipment.
• Support: Provides user assistance with hardware, software, and data administration.

Computer-Based Information Systems (CBIS)

• CBIS is a single set of hardware, software, databases, telecommunications, people, and procedures.
• CBIS are configured to collect, manipulate, store, and process data into information.

CBIS Building Blocks

• CBIS is built from software, hardware, telecommunications, databases, people, and procedures.

CBIS Building Blocks (Advanced)

• CBIS components include people, data, software, procedures, and hardware.
• People, data, software, and procedures contribute to system activities for control, input, processing, storage, and output.

CBIS Business Cycle

• Presents a cyclical representation of CBIS operations.
• Depicts the flow of information and operations without using paper.

What Does IS do for a Business?

• IS supports business decisions from basic operations to competitive advantages and strategic business plans.
• Activities including kiosk to e-commerce to various other functions highlight the business processes supported by IS.

Differentiate

• Differentiating data from information is crucial in information systems.
• Key characteristics include accessibility and verifiability.
• Information systems help monitor and adjust business activities using feedback leading to organizational knowledge.

List

• Components of information systems, characteristics of valuable information, and features of information systems.

Replace with Scientific Term

• Converting data into useful outputs (processing)
• Collection of facts valued beyond individual facts (information)
• Awareness and understanding of information (knowledge)
• Hardware, software, databases, telecom (components)
• Information related to changes in IS (feedback)
• Raw facts (data)
• Information is delivered when needed (timeliness)

Explore the fundamental concepts of Information Systems in this quiz, including the definitions of data, information, and knowledge. Understand how Information Systems play a critical role across various professions and how data transforms into valuable information.