CHAPTER 12A

The Basics of Information Systems

PURPOSE OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS
 Information systems
 Collects,stores and organizes information
 Retrieves value from data
 Harness many types of data
 Computer’s reason for existence

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PURPOSE OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS
 Components of an information system
 Physical means of storing information
 Procedures for ensuring data integrity
 Rules regarding data use and distribution
 Means of distributing the data
 Tools to organize the data
TYPES OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS
 Office automation systems
 Performs various office tasks
 Allows users to efficiently handle data
 Tedious tasks become simple
 Built using off-the-shelf systems
 Allow seamless integration of data
TYPES OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS
 Transaction processing systems (TPS)
 Transaction is a complete event
 Completed in a series of steps
 Tracksand processes transactions
 Each step is monitored
 Details sent to the appropriate person
 Errors must be remedied immediately
TYPES OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS
 Management information systems (MIS)
 Toolsfor managers and decision makers
 Organizes and evaluates information
 Summarizes reports based on need
 Managers require different views of data
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM
TYPES OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS
 Decision support system
 Organizes information for better decisions
 Different data and criteria are evaluated
 Often based on spreadsheet software
 Provides tailored and structured reports
TYPES OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS
 Expert systems
 Perform tasks done by a person
 Analyze data and suggest an action
 Requires a large knowledge base
 Inference engines
 Analyze the data
 Make the decisions
EXPERT SYSTEM
INFORMATION SYSTEMS
TECHNOLOGY
 Intranets
 Privatenetwork using internet technology
 Employees use to access data
 Databases are stored on the Intranet
 Access to outside users is blocked
INFORMATION SYSTEMS
TECHNOLOGY
 Extranets
 Outside access to an intranet
 Goal is to simplify a process
 Just-in-time inventory
 Manufacturer keeps little material in stock
 Arranges to have stock delivered daily
INFORMATION SYSTEMS
TECHNOLOGY
 Virtual Private Networks
 Secure connection over the Internet
 Tunneling provides security
 Data transmitted in an encrypted packet
 Employees use to work from home
 Networks use to connect securely
 Once established, the VPN is transparent
VIRTUAL PRIVATE NETWORK
INFORMATION SYSTEMS
TECHNOLOGY
 Electronic data interchange (EDI)
 Electronictransfer of data
 Data transferred in a precise manner
 Networks often share an information system
 Over time can save organizations money
INFORMATION SYSTEMS
TECHNOLOGY
 Data warehousing
 Provides 24x7 access to data
 Fault tolerant
 Data security
INFORMATION SYSTEMS
TECHNOLOGY
 Data scrubbing
 Provides
for data consistency and validity
 Compares data to a set of rules
 Failures are repaired or removed
 Should be performed at all levels
 Data entry
 Storage

 As rules change data is rescrubbed

INFORMATION SYSTEMS HARDWARE
 Server farms
 Collection of servers and mainframes
 Servers work together
 Servers are either distributed or collected
 Uses of server is critical
INFORMATION SYSTEMS HARDWARE
 Enterprise storage
 Methods and technologies to store data
 Efficiently store large amounts of data
 Data is accessible at all times
 RAID and NAS are two types
INFORMATION SYSTEMS HARDWARE
 RAID
 Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks
 Links a number of hard drives
 Provides data redundancy
 Can speed access to data
 RAID 0
 Disk striping
 RAID 1
 Disk mirroring
 RAID 3, 4, and 5
 Disk striping with parity
RAID 1 MULTIPLE DISK MIRROR
INFORMATION SYSTEMS HARDWARE
 NAS
 Network Attached Storage
 Disk storage connected to network media
 Disk system processes and delivers data
 Storage Area Networks (SAN)
INFORMATION SYSTEMS HARDWARE
 Backup
 Protects files and settings
 Can restore data to an earlier point
 Crucial to any information system
 Transaction rollback
 Logs changes to a file
 Changes are undone when necessary

 Tape backup
 Copies files to a tape
 Files need recopied when necessary
INFORMATION SYSTEMS HARDWARE
 Nonstop and redundant systems
 Mission critical system
 Must run 24x7
 Most information systems mission critical
 Redundant systems are backup computers
 Backup takes over when necessary
INFORMATION SYSTEMS HARDWARE
 Scalable and interoperable systems
 Scalability
 Defines a systems ability to grow
 Software and hardware grows

 Interoperable systems
 Work with other systems
 Little configuration is needed
INFORMATION SYSTEMS DEPARTMENT
 Integral part of any organization
 Maintains equipment, software and data

 Enables other employees to function

 Requires highly trained employees

 Various names
 Information Systems (IS)
 Information Technology (IT)
 Management Information Systems (MIS)
CHAPTER 12A
End of Chapter
CHAPTER 12B
Building Information Systems
SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT LIFE CYCLE
 Organized way to build information systems
 Consists of five phases
 Entire usable life of the system

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SDLC

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SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT LIFE CYCLE
 Phase 1: needs analysis
 Users identify a need
 Solves three main problems
 Define the problem
 Present possible solutions

 Determine the best solution

 Technology analysts talk with users

 Define the problem using a description tool
 A solution is presented to a manager

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SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT LIFE CYCLE
 Phase 2: Systems design
 Solution is defined
 Data storage
 User interface

 Reports

 Several design tools

 Top down design
 Bottom up design

 CASE tools used to build prototypes

 Computer aided software engineering

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SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT LIFE CYCLE
 Phase 3: Development
 Solution to the problem is built
 Programmers play a key role
 Solutions may be purchased
 Solutions may be built locally
 Technical writers create instructions
 Solution is repeatedly tested

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SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT LIFE CYCLE
 Phase 4: Implementation
 Installation
of hardware and software
 Users must convert to the solution
 Direct conversion
 Parallel conversion

 Phased conversion

 Pilot conversion

 Trainers and support personnel are critical

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SDLC CONVERSION

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SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT LIFE CYCLE
 Phase 5: Maintenance
 ITprofessionals continue to monitor
 Bugs are fixed
 New features are added
 Users often suggest bugs or features

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EVOLVING SYSTEM DESIGN METHODS
 Problems with SDLC
 SDLC is an old process
 Very slow process
 Companies need to respond quickly

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EVOLVING SYSTEM DESIGN METHODS
 Rapid Application Design (RAD)
 Develops IS systems quickly
 Several products exist
 Slightly different development phases

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RAD SDLC

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EVOLVING SYSTEM DESIGN METHODS
 RAD Phase 1: Requirements planning
 Requirements for project are defined
 Joint requirements planning (JRP)
 Involves programmers and managers
 Managers from affected departments provide
guidance

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EVOLVING SYSTEM DESIGN METHODS
 RAD Phase 2: User design
 Joint application design (JAD)
 System analysts and users
 User provides the details
 System analyst solve the technical details

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EVOLVING SYSTEM DESIGN METHODS
 RAD Phase 3: Rapid construction
 ISprofessionals develop the project
 A variety of tools can be used
 Users approve each portion

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EVOLVING SYSTEM DESIGN METHODS
 RAD Phase 4: Transition
 System is tested on sample data
 Users are trained on the sample
 New system runs parallel to existing
 Phase complete when bugs are gone
 Old system removed

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EVOLVING SYSTEM DESIGN METHODS
 RAD Phase 5: Maintenance
 Traditionallynot part of RAD
 All systems need periodic maintenance

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EVOLVING SYSTEM DESIGN METHODS
 Object Oriented Systems Analysis
 OOSA
 Project elements are defined using objects
 Objects are self contained programming constructs
 Objects have data and functionality

 Objects are linked together

 Java and C++ are typical tools

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CHAPTER 12B
End of Chapter