CHAPTER 1
Introduction to Information Systems
CHAPTER OUTLINE
1.1 Why Should I Study Information Systems?
1.2 Overview of Computer-Based Information
Systems
1.3 How Does IT Impact Organizations?
1.4 Importance of Information Systems to
Society
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
1. Begin the process of becoming an informed
user of your organization’s information
systems.
2. Define the terms data, information, and
knowledge, and give examples of each.
3. Define the terms information technology,
information system, computer-based
information system, and application.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES (continued)
4. Identify three ways in which you depend on
information technology in your daily life.
5. Discuss three ways in which information
technology can impact managers and
three ways in which it can impact nonmanagerial managers.
6. List three positive and three negative
societal effects of the increased use of
information technology.
Chapter Opening Case
Robert F. Balazik/Shutterstock
E-Mealz
© Alex/iStockphoto
1.1 Why Should I Study Information Systems?
Yuri Acurs/Shutterstock
The Informed User – You!
Homo Conexus
You are the most connected generation in history.
You practice continuous computing.
You are surrounded by a personal, movable
information network.
© Voon Nam Fook/iStockphoto
Build Your Own Multinational Company
http://www.domystuff.com/
http://www.vworker.com/
http://www.webgrity.com/
http://www.b2kcorp.com/
http://www.globetask.com/
http://www.guru.com/
https://www.elance.com/
These examples were created in 2011. How
many links are still ‘original’?
© Alex Gumerov/iStockphoto
Digital Nomads
Source: Media Bakery
They may have location
independence but do they have
‘time zone independence’?
IT Offers Career Opportunities
www.simplyhired.com
September 4, 2011
“Top Jobs” in America
Money Magazine 2010
Managing Information Resources
Traditional Functions of MIS Department
Example: manage data center
© stockbrokerxtra/Age Fotostock America, Inc.
Consultative Functions of MIS Department
Example: create business
alliances
Source: Howard Kingsnorth/The Image
Bank/Getty Images, Inc.
1.2 Overview of Computer-Based
Information Systems
© zu difeng/Shutterstock
Data
Information
Knowledge
(Source: © janaka Dharmasena-Fotolia.com; Exactostock/SuperStock; uttamgurjar/Shutterstock)
Computer-Based Information Systems
Hardware
Software
Database
Procedures
Network
People
(Source: Nasonov/Shutterstock; Angela Waye/Shutterstock; alexmillos/Shutterstock; broukoid/ Shutterstock; Mike Flippo/Shutterstock
Capabilities of Information Systems
Table 1.3
 Perform high-speed, high-volume numerical computations
 Provide fast, accurate communication and collaboration within
and among organizations
 Store huge amounts of information in small space

Allow quick, inexpensive access to vast amounts of information
worldwide
 Interpret vast amounts of data quickly and efficiently
 Increase effectiveness and efficiency of people working in groups in
one place or around the world
 Automate semiautomatic business process and manual tasks
Application Programs
Angela Waye/Shutterstock
E-Discovery Software (IT’s About Business 1.3)
http://www.cataphora.com/
http://www.autonomy.com/
http://www.blackstonediscovery.com/
http://www.clearwellsystems.com/
Source: maxstockphoto/Shutterstock
Types of Information Systems
Information Systems Inside an Organization
Types of Information Systems
Information Systems Among Organizations
Types of Information Systems
Breadth of Support of Information Systems
Functional area information systems
Enterprise resource planning systems
Transaction processing systems
Interorganizational information systems
Types of Information Systems (continued)
Support for Organizational Employees
Office automation systems
Business intelligence systems
Expert systems
Dashboards
1.3 How Does IT Impact Organizations?
IT reduces the number of middle managers.
IT changes the manager’s job.
Will IT eliminate jobs?
IT impacts employees at work.
Ergonomic Products
Source: Media Bakery
When ergonomics doesn’t work
When all else fails…….
Enabling People with Disabilities
to Work with Computers
Computer solutions available to
 Visually-impaired users
 Hearing-impaired users
 Motor-impaired users
© Harry Huber/Age Fotostock America, Inc.
1.4 Importance of Information
Systems to Society
IT Affects Our Quality of Life
Robot Revolution on the Way
Improvements in Healthcare
The Robot Revolution
See video of Big Dog
robot in action
See ASIMO commercial
See video of ASIMO in action
See video of ASIMO learning
© Stockbrokerxtra/Age Fotostock America, Inc.
The Robot revolution (continued)
• Industrial Robots
See video of warehouse robots at work
• Telepresence Robots
See video of telepresence robot in
action
Improvements in Health Care
See video of the pill cam in action
See video of daVinci Surgical
Robot
See video of Laerdal Sim
Man in action
© Stockbrokerxtra/Age Fotostock America, Inc.
Chapter Closing Case
• The Problem
• The Solution
• The Results