Information technology and information systems

1. Information technology and information systems Fundamentals of Information TechnologySession 2

2. Systems • A system is a set of interrelated components and processes within a clearly defined boundary functioning together in order to bring about a common objective • There are many different kinds of system • Physical systems – solar system • Biological systems – human circulatory system • Technological systems – production line • Information systems – social security system

3. Information systems • Information systems have three key stages • InputThis entails the capture and ordering of elements for processing (e.g. raw data from a barcode) • ProcessingThis entails a transformation of inputted elements into a form suitable for output (e.g. calculation of order price) • OutputThis involves the delivery of elements in a transformed state to their ultimate destination (e.g. a report such as an invoice)

4. Information systems • Information systems can also have other important characteristics • FeedbackThis is data that is provided by a system to provide information about its performance • ControlThis involves monitoring and processing feedback to ascertain the extent to which a system is fulfilling its stated success criteria. It enables system owners to spot system deficiencies and introduce optimization measures

5. Information systems • Many information systems exist as sub-systems of other systems (e.g. an ordering system is part of a stock control system which is part of a retail system) • The system within which a system or a sub-system operates is called its environment • A number of related systems or sub-systems may be connected to one another. The point of contact between systems is referred to as an interface (note: different than user-interface)

6. Information systems • An information system in its simplest form is a combination of human and technological resources which act together to capture data, process that data and transform it into information • Data is the raw material; of little value or meaning in itself • Information is some or other arrangement of data which gives it meaning and value. • Information helps us make informed decisions

7. Information systems

8. Types of information system • Information systems work at different levels within an organization

9. Operations support systems – TFL congestion charging • Transaction processing systems • Paying for the congestion charge • Process control systems • Monitoring vehicles entering congestion zone • Accounts systems • Monitoring defaulters, issuing fines • Payroll systems • Paying of TFL employees • Enterprise collaboration systems • Collaborating with colleagues and contractors (e.g. borough councils)

10. Management support systems – TFL congestion charging • Management information systems • Providing information on levels of current congestion zone vehicle ingress • Decision support systems • Enabling correct calibration of congestion charge

11. Strategic information systems – TFL congestion charge • Executive support systems • Determining overall success of congestion charging • Supporting decisions to extend congestion zone

12. Components of an information system

13. Components of an information system – TFL congestion charge

14. Benefits of information systems • Operational excellence • Increase capacity (e.g. Supermarket self-checkout) • Differentiation • Offer customers new/improved experience (e.g. Airport self-check-in) • Improved customer relations • Maintain better/closer contact with customers (e.g. Utility online billing and personal account management) • Improved decision-making(e.g. UK Border & Immigration Agency) • Competitive advantage (e.g. Amazon)

15. Information system stakeholders • A stakeholder of a system is any individual or organisation that is impacted in any way by the development or use of that system • This impact can be direct or tangential • It can be: • Economic • Political • Social • Professional • Legal

16. Information system stakeholders – TFL congestion charging • Mayor of London/London Assembly • System developers • Employees of TFL administering the congestion charge • Contractors working for TFL to administer the congestion charge • Motorists using the congestion zone • Businesses within the congestion zone • Londoners living in and on the periphery of the congestion zone • The UK government

17. IT and IS – the wider context • IT and IS do not exist in a vacuum • Their development and deployment is shaped by a wider set of real world forces • These forces can be: • Political (the government) • Legal (the courts) • Social (pressure groups) • Business/economic (banks/financing) • These forces place constraints on what companies can do with IT (e.g. surveillance at work)

18. IT and IS – the wider context

19. IT and IS – the wider context (TFL)

20. Hands-on exercises • Now do • Activity 2 – Information technology and information systems