Sunday, 21 July 2013

Topic 3- Information Systems (IS)



 salam


In this topic I learnt that information system is a set of elements or components (inputs, processing mechanism, outputs and feedback). After that, I learnt about computer base information system (CBIS) which can be defined as A combination of hardware, software, telecommunication networks that people build and use to collect, create, distribute data or information in an organization . However, it has several types such as Transaction Processing system (TPS), Decision Support System (DSS), Executive Support System (ESS), Expert System (EX), and Information Management System (IMS). Moreover, I learnt there are three types of information needed by organization which are operational information used by low level, tactical information used by middle manager, and strategic information used by top manager.  For example, Voice chancellor is the top manager in my university, Library department is the middle manager, and librarian is the low level. Therefore, the users of CBIS are people (workers and end users). After that, I learnt about the six components in CBIF. The first component in CBIS is the tangible part in computer (Hardware). The second component in CBIS is the intangible part in computer                 (Software). The third component in CBIS is the place to store data in system (Database). The fourth component in CBIS is people who run, manage, program, and maintain system such as IT manager, programmer, IT Analyst, and end users. The fifth component in CBIS is procedures which can be known as Strategies, policies, methods and rules for using computer information system including operation, security and maintenance of the computer. Then, I learnt that the roles of CBIS are support competitive advantage, support business decision making, and support business operations and processes.



 After this previous introduction about information system, we studied some several types of information system. The first one is Transaction processing system (TPS).  A transaction is an elementary activity conducted during business    operations. However, TPS is a special class of IS designed to process business events and transaction. So, it is information system used to support and record transactions such as Payroll system, Automatic Teller Machine, and Self-service. TPS has some special features which are used by operational personnel and supervisory levels, TPS is the backbone of an organization’s information systems, the function of TPS is to monitor, collect, store and process data generated from business transaction, and one TPS for each department. For example, in AiU library they use a service use TPS where the customer who want to borrow a book go to a machine and put the book in it. Then the machine process and read the code in the book and then it gives the customer a receipt as output. An addition, I learnt that information can be interred into a TPS. The first method to inter the information in TPS is manual method by having a person to enter the data by hand. For example, a clerk inters the information into a system manually. The second method to inter the information in TPS is automated method. This method can be semi-automated or fully automated. Semi-automated happens by capturing data using a device such as scanner. However, fully automated is fully computerized or install expert machine. For example, the system automatically informs the user about the needed information or software to install. Moreover, there are two types of transaction procession which are OLTP-online processing and patch processing. OLTP-Online processing is immediate processing of data where it provides immediate results to the system operator or customer. However, patch processing is the method that collects transactions in groups, called batches, and processes them together.The second information system that I learnt is called Management Information System (MIS). It refers to a specific type of information system that is used to produce reports (organized of data from database) to support ongoing business or functional area of the organization. A management information system is an information system that generates accurate, timely and organized information so managers and other users can make decisions, solve problems, supervise activities, and track progress. So, it helps middle managers to make good decision. Sometimes it called as management reporting system (MRS).  MIS are used by middle managerial levels. It uses internal data stored in computer system and it produces several types of reports with fixed and standards format. The input in MIS is TPS data, the processing is management information system programs, and the output is sales analysis report. In addition, there are some business processed supported by MIS such as Inventory management and planning, Product Pricing, and Marketing plan.The third type of IS that I learnt is Decision Support System (DSS).  DSS is an organized collection of people, procedures, software, databases and devices used to support problem-specific decision making. So, it helps manager to develop solutions for specific problems. There are two types of decision which are structured or semi-structured decision and unstructured decision. Structured or semi-structured decision repetitive and routine and they involve a definite procedure to make decision. In unstructured decision, decision maker must provide judgment, evaluation to solve the problem. The input in DSS is MIS TPS data, the processing is interactive processing of data and models, and the outputs are graphs and textual reports. Therefore, the users in DSS are middle managers.The fourth IS that I learnt is Executive Support System (ESS/EIS). ESS is designed to support higher level of decision making (DM) in organization. So, it consist of technology (hardware, software, data and procedure) and the people needed to consolidate information and support users to assist executive level DM. ESS support several businesses which include analyse the business environment, to identify Long range and strategic planning, to plan appropriate courses of action,and monitoring of internal and external events and resources. In addition, ESS is special type of both MIS and DSS, it supports information needs of executive so, it uses graphical interface. It also uses internal and external data sources.



After I learnt all of these types of IS, I learnt another concept that called Information system development methodology (ISD). ISD can be defined as a conceptual model used in Project Management that describes the stages involved in an information system development project. Therefore, ISD methodologies a collection of procedures, techniques, tools and documentation aids which will help the systems developers in their efforts to implement a new information system. So, we use ISD methodologies when we have problem with existing system and desire to introduce new system. The participants in system methodologies are project manager, system analyst, programmers, users, stakeholder, and support personnel. In addition, there are some steps in ISD planinig which are strategic plan, develop objectives, identify IS project, analyze resource, set schedule and deadlines, and finally develop IS. Moreover, there are different methodologies use in systems development such as Ethics, Soft Systems Methodologies (SSM), and Information Engineering (IE).  The function of methodologies are ensure system development process is systematic, allows system development to be managed to ensure high quality assurance, to achieve effectiveness and efficiency in organization, and to meet user requirement.
In this topic I also learnt three methodologies that use in system developments. The first methodology is called Structured Approach (SDLC). It is the oldest and most known methodologies which can be defined as the process of developing system or software to meet certain requirements. SDLC has five stages. The first stage is System Investigation. It is like make a proposer. Then, the second stage is System Analyst who collects data and information from user and then transfers all data into document called DFD. Then he post DFD to the third stage which called System Programmer who design the physical system. The fourth stage is System Implementation who stores the data in specific software. The last stage in SDLC is System Maintenance and Review who maintains, controls, and gets feedback from users. The second methodology is called Prototyping. It is a system development methodology that uses a trial-and-error approach for discovering how a system should operate. The main objective of prototyping is to enhance the quality of the requirement specification. The stages in Prototype are determining requirement, develop prototype, review prototype with user, and implement and use system. The third methodology is called STRADIS. It is the methodology remains today as one of the most popular techniques for structured analysis and design of systems. STRADIS has four stages which are detail study, designing alternatives, physical design, and implement system.

 
Thank You

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