University Blida 2 CHAPTER 1: Introduction to information systems

Department of Commercial Sciences

Upon successful completion of this lesson, you will be able to:

 define what an information system is by identifying its major components;

 describe the basic history of information systems

1. What is the information system?

Basically an Information System handles the flow and maintenance of information

that supports a business or some other operation. It contains information about
significant people, places and things within the organization or in the environment
surrounding it. Information is derived from meaningful interpretation of
data. Data consists of the raw facts representing events occurring in the organization
before they are organized into an understandable and useful form for humans.

Technically, an information system can be defined as follow:

“An information system (IS) can be defined technically as a set of interrelated

components that collect, process, store, and distribute information to support
decision making and control in an organization.”

“Information systems are combinations of hardware, software, and

telecommunications networks that people build and use to collect, create, and
distribute useful data, typically in organizational settings.”

Information systems should not be confused with information technology.

Information systems use computers (or Information Technology) as tools for the
storing and rapid processing of information leading to analysis, decision-making and
better coordination and control. Hence information technology forms the basis of
modern information systems.

All these definitions focus on two different ways of describing information systems:
the components that make up an information system and the role those components
play in an organization. Each of these needs to be examined.

2. Components of information systems:

Information systems can be viewed as having five major components: hardware,

software, data, networking communication and people.

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Hardware: the computer has three basic units:

1. The Central Processing Unit (CPU)

2. The Main Memory Unit

3. The Input/Output Device Let’s consider them in detail.

Software:

1. System software which sits between hardware and application software.

Operating systems like Windows, macOS, Android and iOS are examples of
system software. Operating systems are loaded into RAM when the device
starts up, and have access to the hard drive.

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2. Application software: word processor, spreadsheet, web browser, and

graphics software are all examples of application software, and they can do
many specific tasks. You can remove and add applications on your computer
using the operating system.

3. History of information systems:

The history of information systems has been marked by significant technological

advancements and innovations. While computers remained out of reach for most
businesses, the TELEX machine became the standard of information transfer. This
step gave businesses the ability to communicate within its own organization
anywhere in the world at any time and effectively pass instructions and information.
With the rush of the mini and micro computer, a number of business school began
developing Management Information System (MIS) programs to meet the growing
need of IS managers.

Here's a brief overview of the history of information systems:

1. Pre-20th Century:

 Early Information Systems: The earliest information systems were

manual and paper-based, such as the use of scrolls and manuscripts to
record information. Libraries and archives were established to organize
and store written knowledge.

2. 19th Century:

 Telegraph System: The invention of the telegraph in the 1830s by

Samuel Morse revolutionized long-distance communication. Telegraph
systems allowed for the rapid transmission of messages across vast
distances.

3. Mid-20th Century:

 Mainframe Computers: The 1950s and 1960s saw the emergence of

mainframe computers, which were large, expensive machines, used by
large organizations and government agencies for data processing and
business applications.

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 Decision Support Systems (DSS): In the 1960s and 1970s, decision

support systems (DSS) were developed to assist managers in making
decisions using computer-based tools.

4. Late 20th Century:

 Personal Computers (PCs): The 1980s brought the widespread adoption

of personal computers, making computing power more accessible to
individuals and small businesses.

 Relational Databases: The development of relational database

management systems (RDBMS) in the 1970s and 1980s, notably with
products like Oracle and IBM's DB2, enabled efficient storage and
retrieval of structured data.

5. Internet Era:

 World Wide Web: The creation of the World Wide Web by Tim
Berners-Lee in the early 1990s marked a significant milestone in the
history of information systems. It enabled global access to information
and facilitated the growth of e-commerce and online services.

 E-commerce: The late 1990s and early 2000s saw the rapid expansion of
e-commerce and online businesses, leading to the development of
advanced e-commerce platforms and payment systems.

6. 21st Century:

 Big Data and Analytics: The 21st century has been characterized by the
explosion of data. Technologies for processing, analyzing, and deriving
insights from big data have become essential in various industries.

 Cloud Computing: Cloud computing has revolutionized how

organizations store and access data, allowing for scalable and cost-
effective solutions.

 Mobile Information Systems: The proliferation of smartphones and

mobile devices has led to the development of mobile information
systems and mobile apps, transforming how people access and interact
with information.

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 Internet of Things (IoT): IoT technology has enabled the collection of

data from a vast array of interconnected devices, leading to new
possibilities in data analysis and automation.

The history of information systems is a dynamic and ongoing story, continually

shaped by advances in technology and evolving organizational needs. Today,
information systems play a pivotal role in virtually every aspect of modern life, from
business and healthcare to education and entertainment.

4. Information system modeling methods:

Every company has an information system already in place, be it a file card and
pencil based system, a computerized system or an intermediate of the two. Hence the
IS development process involves work on an existing system - mapping the system,
automating it and making sure that it functions according to user requirements.
Information system modeling methods are techniques used to create representations
of information systems. These models help in understanding, designing, and
managing complex systems. Some common information system modeling methods
include:

1. Unified Modeling Language (UML): UML is a standardized modeling

language that uses various diagrams (e.g., class diagrams, use case diagrams,
sequence diagrams) to represent different aspects of a system, including its
structure and behavior.

2. Data Flow Diagrams (DFD): DFDs depict the flow of data within a system,
highlighting processes, data stores, data flows, and external entities. They are
often used in business process modeling.

3. Entity-Relationship Diagrams (ERD): ERDs are used to model the data

structure of a system by representing entities (objects), their attributes, and the
relationships between them.

4. BPMN (Business Process Model and Notation): BPMN is a graphical notation

for modeling business processes. It uses symbols to represent activities,
events, gateways, and flows within a process.

5. Data Modeling: This method focuses on designing the database schema of an

information system, specifying tables, relationships, constraints, and data
types using tools like Entity-Relationship Diagrams or database-specific
modeling languages like SQL.

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6. Use Case Modeling: Use cases describe the interactions between a system and
its external actors. Use case diagrams and descriptions are used to represent
these interactions.

7. State Transition Diagrams: These diagrams are used to model the states and
state transitions of an object or system, particularly in systems with complex
behavior.

8. Structured Systems Analysis and Design Method (SSADM): SSADM is a

method for the analysis and design of information systems. It involves various
modeling techniques to capture system requirements and design
specifications.

9. Agile Modeling: Agile methodologies like Scrum and Kanban often employ
lightweight modeling techniques that focus on creating just-enough
documentation to support the development process.

10. Architectural Modeling: This method is used to define the high-level

structure and components of a system, including its architecture, modules,
and interfaces.

11. Object-Oriented Modeling: This approach is centered around objects, classes,

and their interactions. It is commonly used in software engineering for
designing object-oriented systems.

12. Process Modeling: Process modeling techniques like flowcharts and swimlane
diagrams are used to visualize and analyze workflows and business processes.

13. Simulation Modeling: Simulation models are used to mimic the behavior of
an information system over time to analyze its performance, identify
bottlenecks, and make improvements.

The choice of modeling method depends on the specific needs of the project and the
aspects of the information system being modeled. Often, a combination of these
methods is used to create a comprehensive representation of the system.