for the Small Enterprise
Systems Analysis and Design
Chapter 1:
Information
Systems in the
Small Enterprise
section I
Introduction
information systems defined
small enterprise characteristics
Information needs of the small enterprise
the systems development life cycle
computer information system components
the role of the analyst
methodologies, tools, and techniques
the enhanced SDLC
portfolio project
Chapter Objectives
When you complete this chapter you will be able to:
• Distinguish the special characteristics and
information needs of the small enterprise
• Outline the five phases of the systems development
life cycle
• Identify the six components of an information
system
• Describe the nature of entrepreneurial systems
analysis
• Describe the purpose of CASE tools
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Information Systems Defined
• An information system is a well-coordinated
collection of resources that gather and transform data
into information products and services that help the
enterprise perform its designed functions
• An information system hierarchy associates different
classifications of information systems with different
audiences
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Figure 1-1: Information System Hierarchy
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Information Systems Defined
Three significant trends influence the evolution
of information systems and provide
opportunities for the entrepreneurial systems
analyst:
• The emergence of small enterprise computing
• The Internet as a dominating technology
• The maturation of application software
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Small Enterprise Characteristics
The following small enterprise
characteristics influence the analyst’s work:
• Owner participation
• Economic constraints
• Competitive pressures
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Information Needs of the Small Enterprise
The following are common information
needs of any enterprise:
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•
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•
•
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Production and inventory
Personnel
Financial reporting
Marketing, sales, and service
Customer relations
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TECHNOTE 1-1
Computing Terminology
Several software products are integral to the
analyst’s work:
•Off-the shelf application software
•Software suites
•Computer assisted systems engineering
(CASE)
•Object-oriented application software
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The Systems Development Life Cycle
The systems development life
cycle (SDLC) consists of five
major phases:
•
•
•
•
•
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Analysis
Design
Development
Implementation
Maintenance
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Figure 1-5: The Circular SDLC
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Figure 1-6: The Recurring SDLC
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Information System Components
There are six major information system
components:
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•
•
•
•
•
People
Procedures
Software
Hardware
Networks
Data
Reference Figure 1-7: Information System Components
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TECHNOTE 1-2
Software Classifications
System Software
•Operating systems
•Firmware
•Utility
Application Software
•Horizontal
•Vertical
•Turnkey
Customizable Software
•Third-generation programming languages
•Fourth-generation programming language (4GL)
•Object-oriented programming language
•4GL products
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The Role of the Analyst
• An agent of change
• A problem-solving
strategist
• A group facilitator
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Figure 1-8: The Blurred Proportional SDLC
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ThinkingCritically
Software Ownership
Under what circumstances or conditions,
if any, do you feel it is appropriate to
install a client’s software on your
computer?
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Methodologies, Tools, and Techniques
• CASE Tools
• Visible Analyst
• Alternatives to CASE
technologies
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Figure 1-10: Visible Analyst
Enlarge
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The Enhanced SDLC
The enhanced SDLC embodies several important
concepts:
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•
•
•
The recurring nature of the SDLC
The blending of several phases of the SDLC
The influence of the user throughout the SDLC
The addition of many powerful tools to assist
the analyst
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Figure 1-11: The Enhanced SDLC
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Portfolio projectPortfolio Project
Team Assignment 1: Your Fictional Consulting Firm
•Decide on a name for your systems analysis
consulting firm
•Develop a company logo
•Integrate the logo into a company letterhead
•Create an advertising flyer for your consulting
company
•Prepare a Portfolio Project Binder
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Chapter Summary (1/3)
• Small enterprise, PC-based computing should rely
on proven systems theory and techniques
• The small enterprise approach presents special
advantages for an introductory study of systems
analysis
• The systems development life cycle provides a
framework for creating a small enterprise
information system
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Chapter Summary (2/3)
• There are five phases of the SDLC:
• Analysis
• Design
• Development
• Implementation
• Maintenance
• There are six components of an information system
• People
• Procedures
• Software
• Hardware
• Networks
• Data
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Chapter Summary (3/3)
• A systems analyst is:
– An agent of change
– A problem solving
strategist
– A group facilitator
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