Systems Architecture Essentials for Information Systems Professionals

1. IS112 – Chapter 1 Notes Computer Organization and Programming Professor Catherine Dwyer Fall 2004

2. Chapter 1 Systems Architecture Chapter Goals • Describe primary activities of information systems professionals. • Describe technical knowledge of computer hardware and systems software needed by IS professionals. • Identify sources of information for continuing education in computer hardware and systems software.

3. Chapter 1 Systems Architecture IS Professionals • Responsible for acquisition and installation of technological devices • Responsible for design, development, and installation of information systems

4. Chapter 1 Systems Architecture Skills and knowledge needed To Acquiring and Configuring Technological Devices, you must: • Know business hardware and software preferences. • Know business hardware and software requirements. • Have sufficient knowledge of the available alternatives. • Understand related technical terms.

5. Chapter 1 Systems Architecture Standard Process of Information System Development

6. Chapter 1 Systems Architecture Systems Survey Step • Examines user information needs, how needs are currently being addressed, and feasibility of developing or acquiring an information system to address those needs. • Requires knowledge of hardware and systems software to assess the degree to which user needs are currently being met, and to estimate the resources required to address unmet needs.

7. Chapter 1 Systems Architecture Systems Analysis Step • Examines the user needs and the extent to which they are being met. • Called needs analysis or requirements analysis. • Typical outcomes: • Detailed descriptions of user interfaces and data access speed • Detailed data-processing and storage requirements

8. Chapter 1 Systems Architecture Systems Design Step • Determines the exact configuration of all hardware and software components. • Design step tasks: • Selecting computer hardware • Selecting computer software • Selecting application program development tools • Design decisions made based on earlier decisions: • Files or database design • Program design • User interface design • Design of system backup and recovery mechanisms

9. Chapter 1 Systems Architecture Systems Design Step – cont. Technical knowledge needed: • System requirements and the capabilities of that hardware and operating system • Development tool selection

10. Chapter 1 Systems Architecture Systems Implementation Step • Constructed based on the “blue prints” created during systems design • Hardware and systems software are acquired, installed, configured and tested • Application programs and files are developed, installed and tested • The entire system is tested

11. Chapter 1 Systems Architecture Systems Implementation Step- cont. Technical knowledge needed: • Knowledge of hardware and systems software • Installation and configuration of hardware and systems software • Knowledge of how to format storage devices, set up security systems, install application programs and establish accounting and auditing systems

12. Chapter 1 Systems Architecture Maintenance Step • System is evaluated for errors that escaped undetected during installation and testing. • Minor changes are made as maintenance changes. • Technical knowledge needed: • Knowledge is needed to classify the proposed change as minor or major • Knowledge is needed about the hardware and software components that are affected by the change

13. Chapter 1 Systems Architecture Management of Computer Resources • Knowledge is needed to manage the computer resources within a large organization. • The manager of a collection of information systems must contend with a great deal of technical complexity. • Attention must be paid to two important technological issues: • Compatibility • Future trends

14. Chapter 1 Systems Architecture Management of Computer Resources • Compatibility: • The new system must not only operate correctly by itself, but also operates smoothly with all of the other systems in the organization. • Future Trends: • The manager must have a broad understanding of current technology, as well as future technology trends.

15. Chapter 1 Systems Architecture Computer Technology Information Sources • Periodical Literature: • ACM Computing Surveys • Computerworld • Communications of the ACM • Computer • Technical Web Sites • Vendor and manufacturer sites

16. Chapter 1 Systems Architecture Professional Societies • Association for Information Technology Professionals (AITP) • Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), has student chapter with free online courses • Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Computer Society

17. Chapter 1 Systems Architecture Summary • Technical knowledge of computer hardware and systems software is required to develop information systems. • Technical knowledge also is required to manage the computer resources of an organization. • Technical knowledge constantly must be updated due to changes in hardware and software technology.

18. Chapter 1 Systems Architecture Summary • Information about computer hardware and software is readily available on the World Wide Web. • An understanding of computer technology is necessary. • Computer knowledge can be updated through reading periodicals, using Web sites and joining professional societies.