Information Systems 1 - What Is An Information System PDF

Information Systems INFORMATION SYSTEMS CHAPTER 1: WHAT IS AN INFORMATION SYSTEM?  Learning Objectives  define what an information system is by identifying its major components  describe the basic history of information systems  Explain the role of information systems thro...

Information Systems INFORMATION SYSTEMS CHAPTER 1: WHAT IS AN INFORMATION SYSTEM?  Learning Objectives  define what an information system is by identifying its major components  describe the basic history of information systems  Explain the role of information systems through its evolution  Introduction -Defining Information Systems “Information systems (IS) is the study of complementary networks of hardware and software that people and organizations use to collect, filter, process, create, and distribute data.” “Information systems are combinations of hardware software and telecommunications networks that people build and use to collect, create, and distribute useful data, “Information typically in systems are interrelated organizational settings components working together to collect, process, store, and disseminate information to support decision making, coordination, control, analysis, and viualization in an organization  The Components of Information Technology Systems Hardware Software Data the physical components of the For example, your street address, Software is a set of instructions that tells technology. Computers, keyboards, the city you live in, and your phone the hardware what to do disk drives, iPads, and flash drives number are all pieces of data.  The Components of Information  People Systems  Process Eg; front-line help-desk workers, to A process is a series of steps undertaken to achieve a desired systems analysts, to programmers, all the outcome or goal. Information systems are becoming more and way up to the chief information officer more integrated with organizational processes, bringing more (CIO). productivity and better control to those processes  The Role of Information Systems From definitions, these components collect, store, organize, and distribute data throughout the organization. As technology developed, this role has evolved into the backbone of the organization. For a full appreciation of the role of information systems play, Let us review their evolution over the years.  The Role of Information Systems The Mainframe Era  From the late 1950s through the 1960s, for calculations.  These business computers were room-sized monsters, with several refrigerator-sized machines linked together.  Only large businesses, universities, and government agencies could afford them.  The Role of Information Systems The Mainframe Era  Late 1960s, the Manufacturing Resources Planning (MRP) systems introduced.  From tracking inventory to creating bills of materials to scheduling production, the MRP systems  Later MRP II systems gave more businesses a reason to want to integrate computing into their processes.  IBM became the dominant mainframe company.  The Role of Information Systems  The Mainframe Era Registered trademark of International Business Machines IBM 704 Mainframe (Copyright: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory  The Role of Information Systems The PC Revolution 1975, first microcomputer announced: the Altair 8800. Its popularity brought in dozens of companies making these PCs Most prominent: Apple Computer, headed by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, with the hugely successful “Apple II.”  The Role of Information Systems The PC Revolution Microsoft developed its Windows operating system and made the PC even easier to use. Common uses for the PC at this period: word processing, spreadsheets, and databases. Early PCs not connected to any sort of network (stood alone)  The Role of Information Systems The PC Revolution  The Role of Information Systems Client-Server Mid-1980s, businesses connect their computers together to collaborate and share resources. Network architecture called “client-server”  The Role of Information Systems Client-Server First Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems were developed and run on the client-server architecture. An ERP system is a software application with a centralized database that can be used to run a company’s entire business.  The Role of Information Systems Client-Server  The Role of Information Systems The World Wide Web and E-Commerce Invented in 1969, the Internet was confined to use by universities, government agencies, and researchers for many years. It expanded electronic mail outside confines of a single organization. First e-mail sent early 1970s In 1980s, companies to hook up to the Internet, allowing communication between their employees and employees at other companies  The Role of Information Systems The World Wide Web and E-Commerce In 1989, Tim Berners-Lee developed a simpler way for researchers to share information over the network A concept called the World Wide Web (WWW). The WWW became the launching point of the growth of the Internet for businesses to share information about themselves.  The Role of Information Systems The World Wide Web and E-Commerce Companies got Domain Names and create websites when Web Browsers and Internet connections became the norm. In 1991, the National Science Foundation, which governed Internet use, lifted restrictions on its commercial use. 1994 both eBay and Amazon.com established, true pioneers in the use of the new digital marketplace.  The Role of Information Systems The World Wide Web and E-Commerce late 1990s investment in Internet-based businesses led to the dot-com boom 2000 came the dot-com bust. Computer viruses and worms grew with the growth of the internet through the fast sharing of computer disks. A whole new industry of computer and Internet security arose  The Role of Information Systems The World Wide Web and E-Commerce  The Role of Information Systems Web 2.0 Web 2.0 the second generation of the WWW Focused on the ability to collaborate and share information online. Websites became interactive. Customers don’t just visit a site to get information and purchase products, want to customize their experience and interact with the business.  The Role of Information Systems Web 2.0 Web 2.0 is exemplified by: blogging, social networking, and interactive comments being available on many websites.  The Role of Information Systems Web 2.0  The Role of Information Systems The Post-PC World After thirty years the primary computing device (PC) is giving way to tablets and smartphones. The Post-PC World represents a shift away from traditional personal computers (PCs) as the primary computing device, towards a landscape dominated by mobile and touch- based devices. In this era, devices like the Apple iPad and Android tablets have taken center stage, offering portability, touch interfaces, and extended battery life. Operating systems like iOS (Apple) and Android have become prevalent, designed specifically for mobile devices. They offer a wide range of apps and a simplified user experience. Mobile-friendly websites and mobile apps have become ubiquitous, catering to various needs such as social media, entertainment, productivity, and e-commerce. The Post-PC World era has transformed how people work,  The Role of Information Systems Cloud Computing Era Cloud computing is a paradigm shift in information technology, where computing resources such as servers, storage, and software are delivered over the internet. Various devices connected to the internet, from traditional PCs to smartphones and IoT devices, access cloud services. Cloud-based software and services include Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Dropbox, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Microsoft Azure. Cloud computing enables remote collaboration, data storage, and scalability, making it ideal for businesses of all sizes. It powers services like online document editing, video conferencing, and cloud storage. Cloud computing offers flexibility, cost-efficiency, and scalability. It allows businesses to access advanced computing resources without the need for extensive on-site infrastructure.  The Role of Information Systems Internet of Things Era The Internet of Things refers to the network of interconnected physical devices, vehicles, and appliances embedded with sensors, software, and connectivity to exchange data and perform actions. IoT devices include sensors, wearables, smart appliances, and industrial machinery equipped with connectivity features. IoT platforms and software facilitate data collection, analysis, and control of IoT devices. Examples include IBM Watson IoT, Microsoft Azure IoT, and Google Cloud IoT. IoT has diverse applications, from smart homes (thermostats, security cameras) to industrial automation (predictive maintenance, supply chain optimization) and healthcare (health monitoring devices). IoT provides real-time data insights, automation, and improved decision-making. It enhances convenience, efficiency, and safety across various domains. Security vulnerabilities and data privacy concerns are significant challenges in IoT. Ensuring the protection of data and preventing unauthorized access is crucial. IoT continues to grow, with advancements in 5G connectivity, edge computing, and AI integration. It promises to transform industries and daily life further.  The Eras of Business Computing Era Hardware Software Applications Mainframe (1970s) Terminals connected to Time-sharing Custom-written MRP mainframe computers (TSO) on MVS software PC (mid-1980s) IBM PC or compatible. MS-DOS WordPerfect, Lotus 1- Sometimes connected to 2-3 mainframe computer via expansion card Client-server (late IBM PC “clone” on a Novell Windows for Microsoft Word, 1980s – early Network Workgroups Microsoft Excel 1990s) World Wide Web IBM PC “clone” connected to Windows XP Microsoft Office, (mid-1990s to early company intranet Internet Explorer 2000s) Web 2.0 (mid- Laptops connected to Windows 7 Microsoft Office, 2000s to present) company Wi-Fi Firefox Post-PC (Present Apple iPad, Android tablets iOS, Android Mobile-friendly  Summary Summary In this chapter, you have been introduced to the concept of information systems. We have reviewed several definitions, with a focus on the components of information systems: technology, people, and process. We have reviewed how the business use of information systems has evolved over the years, from the use of large mainframe computers for number crunching, through the introduction of the PC and networks, all the way to the era of mobile computing. During each of these phases, new innovations in software and technology allowed businesses to integrate technology more deeply. We are now at a point where every company is using information systems and asking the question: Does it bring a competitive advantage? In the end, is it really what this book is about. Every Business person should understand what an information system is and how it can be used to bring a competitive advantage. And that is the task we have before us.