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By Workneh A.

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December 16, 2022

Chapter 1: System concepts

-System,

-Information System and

-MIS

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Department of Information System

What is a simple definition of a system?

• We can define a system as a group of components or subsystems that integrate and function together in order to achieve a specific goal.
• For example, a disk subsystem is a component or part of a computer system.

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1. Information system

• An information system is a set of people, procedures, and resources that collects, transforms, and disseminates information in an organization.
• Today's organizations rely on many types of information systems. They include:
• Simple manual (Paper- and- pencil) information systems
• Informal information systems (Word- of- mouth)
• Computer - based information systems that use hardware, software, and people resources to transform data resources into information products for end users.

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Cont..

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2. Management Information systems

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• MIS is an integrated, user-machine system for providing information to support operations, management, and decision making functions in an organization.
• The system utilizes computer hardware and software, manual procedures, models for analysis, planning, control and decision making, and a database.

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Information systems and society

• The workforce today consists mainly of workers in service occupations or knowledge workers,
• that is, people who spend most of their workday creating, using, and distributing information.
• The category of knowledge workers includes managers, and supervisors; professionals such as accountants, engineers, scientists, stockbrokers, and teachers, and staff personnel such as secretaries and clerical office personnel.
• These people all make their living using information systems to create, distribute, manage, and use information resources,
• which are then used to help them manage the human, financial, material, energy, and other resources involved in their work responsibilities.
• Information, then, is a valuable commodity to knowledge workers, their organization, and society

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Information systems and organizations�

• Information and information systems are also valuable organizational resources that must be properly managed for an organization to succeed. That’s because organizations are faced with continual changes in the size, complexity, and scope of their operations.
• For organizations, information systems represent:

⮊ A major part of the resources of an organization and its cost of doing business, thus posing a major resource management challenge.

⮊ An important factor affecting operational efficiency, employee productivity and morale, and customer service and satisfaction.

⮊ A major source of information and support, needed to promote effective decision making by managers.

⮊ An important ingredient in developing competitive products and services that gives an organization a strategic advantage in the market place.

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Information system activities�

• The basic information processing activities that occur in information systems include:
• Input of data resources
• Data about business transactions and other events must be captured and prepared for processing by the basic data entry activities of recording and editing.
• End users typically record data about transactions on some type of physical medium such as paper form or enter it directly into a computer system.
• Processing of data into information
• Data is manipulated by such activities as calculating, comparing, sorting, classifying, and summarizing. These activities organize, analyze, and manipulate data, thus converting it into information for end users.
• Output of information products
• Information in various forms is transmitted to end users and made available to them in the output activity.
• Common information products are video displays, paper documents, audio responses that provide us with messages, forms, reports, listings, etc.

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Cont..

• Storage of data resources.
• Storage is a basic system component of information systems
• Storage is an IS activity in which data and information are retained in an organized manner for later use.
• Stored data is commonly organized into fields, records, files, and databases.

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VII. Information System Resources

• An information system consists of four major resources:
• Hardware Resources
• The concept of hardware resources includes all physical devices and materials used in information processing.
• It includes machines and media
• Examples
• Large mainframe computers, minicomputers microcomputers
• Telecommunication networks.
• Computer peripherals
• Software Resources
• Include all sets of information-processing instructions.
• Programs-operating instructions which direct and control hardware
• Procedures-information processing instructions needed by people.

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• Example of software:
• System software, such as an operating system program, which manages the operations of a computer system.
• Application software, which are programs that direct processing for a particular use of computers by end users.
• Procedures - operating instructions for people.
• People Resources
• People are required for the operation of all information system. These resources include:
• Specialists- people who develop and operate information systems. They include system analysts, programmers, and computer operators.
• End users- anyone else who uses information systems. These can be accountants, sales persons, engineers, customers, or managers.

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Data Resources

• Data can take many forms:
• Alphanumeric data- composed of numbers and alphabetical and special characters that describe business transactions and other events and entities.
•  Text data - consisting of sentences and paragraphs used in written communication.

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• Image - graphic shapes and figures
• Video data - data presented for viewing by a variety of video display devices.
• Audio data - the human voice and other sounds.
• Tactile data - generated by touch - sensitive materials
• Sensor data - provided by a variety of sensors used in the control of physical processes. Data resources are typically recorded and stored on several types of data media. Examples:
• Paper documents -magnetic disks - magnetic tape
• Optical disks - microfilms - electronic circuit chips

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Thank You!

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Question

• Assume a company recruits you as an information system manager so what is your role?

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