ISNE 101

1. ISNE 101 Dr. Ken Cosh

2. Welcome to ISNE 101 • Dr. Ken Cosh • drkencosh@gmail.com • Facebook – “Ken Cosh” • 0869176770 • Don’t be Grengjai!

3. Homework #1 • Send me an email! • drkencosh@gmail.com

4. Information Systems • “Interrelated components working together to collect, process, store and disseminate information to support decision making, coordination, control, analysis and visualisation in an organisation.” (Laudon) • Key: Collecting (Input), Processing, Disseminating (Output) ‘Information’. • But what is Information?

5. From Data to Wisdom • Data: symbols • Information: data that are processed to be useful; provides answers to "who", "what", "where", and "when" questions • Knowledge: application of data and information; answers "how" questions • Understanding: appreciation of "why" • Wisdom: evaluated understanding. (Ackoff)

6. What is an Information System? • “An information system can be any organised combination of people, hardware, software, communications networks, and data resources that collects, transforms and disseminates information in an organisation.” (O’Brien).

7. What is Information Technology? • Technologies are ‘devices’ which can assist with the working of the information system; • Paper and Pencil (Hardware) • Word of Mouth (Communication Networks) • Filing Cabinet (Data Resource) • Mostly we will be interested in computer based technology.

8. What is a System? • “Group of interrelated or interacting elements forming a unified whole.” (O’Brien) • Physical Systems (Weather Systems, Solar Systems) • Biological Systems (Human body) • Educational Systems (Schools, Universities) • Information Systems…

9. Systems Input • Systems have 3 basic elements; • Input: the ‘things’ which enter the system, (food, orbits, high / low pressure systems, data) • Processing: transformation process to convert input into output, (breathing, mathematical calculations) • Output: Transferring the transformed elements to their ultimate destination, (Physical movements, information) Processing Output

10. Feedback and Control Input • The System becomes more useful when there is Feedback and Control; • Feedback: data about system performance • Control: monitoring and evaluating feedback to determine whether the system is moving towards achieving it’s goal and then adjusting where necessary. Feedback & Control Processing Output

11. System Example • A Thermostat self-regulating Air Conditioning. • Input: Current room temperature. • Processing: Comparison with desired temperature • Output: Either On or Off • Feedback & Control: Ability of human user to adjust temperature.

12. Further System Concepts • Sub-systems • Systems rarely exist within a vacuum, they are normally part of some environment (or greater system). • Interfacing Systems • Often multiple systems share the same environment, in which case they often interact / have shared interfaces • The output of one system could be the input of the next (stock control figures are passed as input to sales department). • Adaptive Systems • Some systems have the ability to change itself or it’s environment in order to survive.

13. Information Systems • Collects data inputs, transforms them into information outputs and disseminates the information around an organisation. • Remember O’Brien’s quote? • “An information system can be any organised combination of people, hardware, software, communications networks, and data resources that collects, transforms and disseminates information in an organisation.” • Information Systems are comprised of 5 major types of resource; • People, Hardware, Software, Communication, Data

14. A Computer…for Dummies! • Input Devices • Keyboard, Mouse, Microphone, Scanner… • Output Devices • Monitor, Printer, Speaker… • Processor • CPU • Storage Capabilities • Main memory (RAM), Secondary memory (Hard Disk, CD’s etc.)

15. Information System Resources • People • Hardware • Software • Data • Network (Communication)

16. People Resources • End Users - the people who use the information systems. E.g. Customers, salespeople, engineers, clerks, accountants, all of us! • IS Specialists - the people who develop, implement and maintain the information systems. E.g. software developers, analysts, support staff.

17. Hardware Resources • Physical, Tangible devices & materials used in information processing. • Machines - PC’s, monitors, printers etc. • Media - disks, printouts, paper etc.

18. Software Resources • Information Processing Instructions • Programs (system, application software) • OS, word processing, spreadsheets, databases, payroll etc. • Procedures (Operating Instructions) • Data Entry procedures, paycheck distribution procedures

19. Data Resources • Databases • Knowledge Bases • Data vs Information? • Data - Raw material resources • Information - Processed data into meaningful product.

20. Network Resources • Communication Media • Cables, fibre optics, cellular, wireless • Network Support • Technologies to support the network, modems, internet browsers etc.

21. Vital Roles of IS within Business • Support of Business Processes and Operations • Help with automating processes • Support of Decision Making by its employees and managers • Ensure necessary information is available to make decisions • Support of its strategies for competitive advantage • Drive an organisation’s strategy

22. Changing Role of IS • IS is performing an increasingly important role within organisations, that role is changing. • Technology Push effects • Business Pull effects

23. Technology - ‘Push’ • Increased Capability • Improved Processing & Storage • Improved Connection • Networks • Internet • Comparative Cost reductions

26. Business - ‘Pull’ • Factors encouraging organisations to increase their use of I.T. • Political Factors • Economic Factors • Social Factors • Technological Factors

27. Changing Role of IT in Organisations • 4 Era’s of Technology • DP Era (Data Processing) • MIS Era (Management Information Systems) • SIS Era (Strategic Information Systems) • Internet Era

28. DP Era (50’s-60’s) • Purpose : AUTOMATE • Form : Mainframe • Limitations : Hardware • Focus : Programming • Ownership : Computer Dept., Remote from users • Objectives : lower costs, make use of technology

29. MIS Era (70’s-80’s) • Purpose : INFORMATE • Form : Distributed Processing - PC’s • Limitations : Software • Focus : Identifying User’s needs • Ownership : Regulated by management, available as service • Objectives :Supporting management, meeting users’ needs

30. SIS Era (80’s-90’s) • Purpose : TRANSFORMATE • Form : Networking • Limitations : Management Vision • Focus : Identifying Business Opportunities • Ownership : Executives, Linked to business functions • Objectives : Supporting Business, meeting business needs.

31. Internet Era (Now!) • Purpose : ???...MATE • Form : Internet • Limitations : ??? Viability of Business Models • Focus : ??? Reach and Range • Ownership : Everyone - central to whole business • Objectives : it IS the business.