Information technology and information systems
Fundamentals of Information TechnologySession 2
Systems
• A system is a set of interrelated components and processes within a clearly defined boundary functioning together in order to bring about a common objective
• There are many different kinds of system Physical systems – solar system Biological systems – human circulatory system Technological systems – production line Information systems – social security system
Information systems
• Information systems have three key stages
1) InputThis entails the capture and ordering of elements for processing (e.g. raw data from a barcode)
2) ProcessingThis entails a transformation of inputted elements into a form suitable for output (e.g. calculation of order price)
3) Output This involves the delivery of elements in a transformed state to their ultimate destination (e.g. a report such as an invoice)
Input Processing Output
Information systems
• Information systems can also have other important characteristics– Feedback
This is data that is provided by a system to provide information about its performance
– ControlThis involves monitoring and processing feedback to ascertain the extent to which a system is fulfilling its stated success criteria. It enables system owners to spot system deficiencies and introduce optimization measures
Information systems
• Many information systems exist as sub-systems of other systems (e.g. an ordering system is part of a stock control system which is part of a retail system)
• The system within which a system or a sub-system operates is called its environment
• A number of related systems or sub-systems may be connected to one another. The point of contact between systems is referred to as an interface (note: different than user-interface)
Information systems
• An information system in its simplest form is a combination of human and technological resources which act together to capture data, process that data and transform it into information
• Data is the raw material; of little value or meaning in itself
• Information is some or other arrangement of data which gives it meaning and value.
• Information helps us make informed decisions
Data Processing Information
Information systems
Cars entering congestion
zoneCount of cars
Year-on-year fluctuation
Set new congestion
charge
data processing
information
Decision based on information
Types of information system
• Information systems work at different levels within an organization
Operational IS
Management IS
StrategicIS
day-to-day
short/medium-term
long-term
e.g. payroll, stock-control, accounts
e.g. recruitment decisions
e.g. new product, new online store
Operations support systems – TFL congestion charging
• Transaction processing systems– Paying for the congestion charge
• Process control systems – Monitoring vehicles entering congestion zone
• Accounts systems– Monitoring defaulters, issuing fines
• Payroll systems – Paying of TFL employees
• Enterprise collaboration systems– Collaborating with colleagues and contractors (e.g.
borough councils)
Management support systems – TFL congestion charging
• Management information systems– Providing information on levels of current congestion
zone vehicle ingress
• Decision support systems – Enabling correct calibration of congestion charge
Strategic information systems – TFL congestion charge
• Executive support systems – Determining overall success of congestion charging– Supporting decisions to extend congestion zone
Components of an information system
Input Processing Output
Data storage
System control and
monitoring
Software resources
(spreadsheets, database
middleware, etc.)
Hardware resources
(servers, PCs,
notebooks, etc.)
People resources
(developers, support
staff, end users, etc.)
Network resources
(Internet, intranet,
extranet, etc.)
Data resources
(databases)
Components of an information system – TFL congestion
charge
Car registration
numbers
Check payment
Send payment demand
Car details
System control and
monitoring
Custom payments
applications
Surveillance cameras,
routers, servers, PCs
TFL congestion charge
administrative staff and
management
Internet
Details of cars
entering
congestion zone
Benefits of information systems
• Operational excellence– Increase capacity (e.g. Supermarket self-checkout)
• Differentiation – Offer customers new/improved experience (e.g. Airport
self-check-in)
• Improved customer relations– Maintain better/closer contact with customers (e.g.
Utility online billing and personal account management)
• Improved decision-making (e.g. UK Border & Immigration Agency)
• Competitive advantage (e.g. Amazon)
Information system stakeholders
• A stakeholder of a system is any individual or organisation that is impacted in any way by the development or use of that system
• This impact can be direct or tangential • It can be:
– Economic – Political– Social – Professional – Legal
Information system stakeholders – TFL congestion
charging
• Mayor of London/London Assembly• System developers• Employees of TFL administering the congestion
charge • Contractors working for TFL to administer the
congestion charge • Motorists using the congestion zone • Businesses within the congestion zone • Londoners living in and on the periphery of the
congestion zone• The UK government
IT and IS – the wider context
• IT and IS do not exist in a vacuum • Their development and deployment is shaped by
a wider set of real world forces• These forces can be:
– Political (the government)– Legal (the courts)– Social (pressure groups)– Business/economic (banks/financing)
• These forces place constraints on what companies can do with IT (e.g. surveillance at work)
IT and IS – the wider context
Information Technology
Information Systems
Legal constraints
Po
litical con
straints
So
cial con
straints
Business/economic constraints
Information Systems
IT and IS – the wider context (TFL)
Camera surveillance
The Congestion Zone
Legal constraints
Po
litical con
straints
So
cial con
straints
Business/economic constraints
The Congestion Zone
Shop owners in congestion zone
Resid
ents o
f con
gestio
n zo
ne
Po
litical op
po
sition
(e.g. M
oto
ring
lob
by)
UK and EU law
Hands-on exercises
• Now do – Activity 2 – Information technology and information
systems