Features and
Functions of SIMS
Liam Hewer
Systems
Unit 3 - Information
Features of SIMS
Data
Data requires implementation into
an Information System to allow for
processing and management. Once
data is processed, it it information.
Information is the ‘output’, with
data being the input. Data is
formed by each faculty when any
information is input into SIMS. The
quality and accuracy of
information depends on that of the
data.
Hardware
Hardware used within Information
Systems must be able to process
large quantities of data, and must
also be compatible with the
software used. Within the school,
all the teachers laptops run on
Windows XP-7 and therefore are
compatible. Hardware must be
kept at a correct update, usually
the most recent update.
Software
The software is the link between
the teacher and the database
within the Information System.
The software used (SIMS) is used
across thousands of schools in the
UK. It is used because it has the
ability to enable teachers to input
correct data and it can perform
many different types of analysis
upon the data to produce relevant
reports and structured
information.
People
The information outputted by SIMS
is expected to be reliable, this is
entirely dependant on the data
input. Most errors caused within
SIMS are down to human error.
Staff are given instructions and are
taught how to use the software
before use to ensure all input are
as accurate as possible. With no
instruction, the user will be
entirely inefficient.
Telecommunications
All output information created is
shared between teachers. This can be
via the SIMS software or via E-Mail.
Through both these methods of
communications, information can be
sent around. For example, one students
register for the day is sent from teacher
to teacher, one by one inputting
information into a certain field. It is
important that all telecommunications
flow well and correctly (i.e. to the right
place).
Functions of SIMS
Input
A user of an information system
will input data. The system will
store, process and eventually
produce information using the
initial data input. The user must
specify what the input is for and
what they want it to produce.
Storage
Data is typically stored within hard
drives in the context of
information systems. These hard
drives are collected together to
form a server where all data is
stored. This can be accessed by
authorised clients with connection
the the server.
Processing
Processing is the function of the
system that transforms raw data
into information. Processing can
vary in complexity. Simple
processing would be addin the
number of pupils in a class.
Complex processing would be
using statistics and other
information to predict events or fill
in blanks within banks of
information.
Output
Output is generally split into two
forms, graphical or textual.
Graphical involves graphics, such
as graphs, charts and other visual
ways to arrange data. Textual
provides statements summarising
the data or providing a numerical
table.
Control/Feedback loops
A Control or Feedback loop allows
an information system to use the
information produced to influence
what happens to the next set of
data. For example, if a student is
marked ill in first lesson, the
system will automatically mark
every following lesson for that
student as ill. Meaning that output
information has an effect on the
next set of output information.
Open Systems
Open systems wholly monitors
amd interacts with it’s
environment, this means it can
adapt output depending on a range
of internal and external variables.
This is important in an Information
System like SIMS, as it is accessed
by 100+ individuals every hour,
meaning that new input and
editing occurs a lot and the system
is able to update output using new
data.
Closed Systems
Closed systems are much more
basic than open ones. They don’t
interact with very much at all. They
don’t interact with new data very
often and very rarely adapt output.
It’s action are predicted and will
just repeat a basic process. This
could be something like the school
bell ringing at set intervals in the
day.