ISNE 101
Dr. Ken Cosh
Welcome to ISNE 101
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Dr. Ken Cosh
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drkencosh@gmail.com
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Facebook – “Ken Cosh”
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0869176770
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Don’t be Grengjai!
Homework #1
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Send me an email!
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drkencosh@gmail.com
Information Systems
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“Interrelated components working together to collect, process, store and
disseminate information to support decision making, coordination, control,
analysis and visualisation in an organisation.” (Laudon)
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Key: Collecting (Input), Processing, Disseminating (Output) ‘Information’.
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But what is Information?
From Data to Wisdom
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Data: symbols
Information: data that are processed to be useful; provides
answers to "who", "what", "where", and "when" questions
Knowledge: application of data and information; answers
"how" questions
Understanding: appreciation of "why"
Wisdom: evaluated understanding.
(Ackoff)
What is an Information System?
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“An information system can be any organised combination of people,
hardware, software, communications networks, and data resources that
collects, transforms and disseminates information in an organisation.”
(O’Brien).
What is Information Technology?
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Technologies are ‘devices’ which can assist with the working of the
information system;
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Paper and Pencil (Hardware)
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Word of Mouth (Communication Networks)
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Filing Cabinet (Data Resource)
Mostly we will be interested in computer based technology.
What is a System?
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“Group of interrelated or interacting elements forming a unified whole.”
(O’Brien)
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Physical Systems (Weather Systems, Solar Systems)
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Biological Systems (Human body)
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Educational Systems (Schools, Universities)
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Information Systems…
Systems
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Systems have 3 basic elements;
Input: the ‘things’ which enter
the system, (food, orbits, high /
low pressure systems, data)
Processing: transformation
process to convert input into
output, (breathing,
mathematical calculations)
Output: Transferring the
transformed elements to their
ultimate destination, (Physical
movements, information)
Input
Processing
Output
Feedback and Control
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The System becomes
more useful when there
is Feedback and
Control;
Feedback: data about
system performance
 Control: monitoring and
evaluating feedback to
determine whether the
system is moving towards
achieving it’s goal and
then adjusting where
necessary.
Input
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Processing
Output
Feedback
& Control
System Example
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A Thermostat self-regulating Air Conditioning.
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Input: Current room temperature.
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Processing: Comparison with desired temperature
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Output: Either On or Off
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Feedback & Control: Ability of human user to adjust temperature.
Further System Concepts
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Sub-systems
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Systems rarely exist within a vacuum, they are normally
part of some environment (or greater system).
Interfacing Systems
Often multiple systems share the same environment, in
which case they often interact / have shared interfaces
 The output of one system could be the input of the next
(stock control figures are passed as input to sales
department).
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Adaptive Systems
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Some systems have the ability to change itself or it’s
environment in order to survive.
Information Systems
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Collects data inputs, transforms them into
information outputs and disseminates the information
around an organisation.
Remember O’Brien’s quote?
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“An information system can be any organised combination of
people, hardware, software, communications networks, and
data resources that collects, transforms and disseminates
information in an organisation.”
Information Systems are comprised of 5 major types
of resource;
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People, Hardware, Software, Communication, Data
A Computer…for Dummies!
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Input Devices
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Output Devices
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Monitor, Printer, Speaker…
Processor
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Keyboard, Mouse, Microphone,
Scanner…
CPU
Storage Capabilities
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Main memory (RAM), Secondary
memory (Hard Disk, CD’s etc.)
Information System Resources
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People
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Hardware
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Software
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Data
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Network (Communication)
People Resources
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End Users - the people who use the information systems. E.g. Customers,
salespeople, engineers, clerks, accountants, all of us!
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IS Specialists - the people who develop, implement and maintain the
information systems. E.g. software developers, analysts, support staff.
Hardware Resources
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Physical, Tangible devices & materials used in information processing.
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Machines - PC’s, monitors, printers etc.
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Media - disks, printouts, paper etc.
Software Resources
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Information Processing Instructions
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Programs (system, application software)
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OS, word processing, spreadsheets, databases, payroll etc.
Procedures (Operating Instructions)
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Data Entry procedures, paycheck distribution procedures
Data Resources
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Databases
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Knowledge Bases
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Data vs Information?
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Data - Raw material resources
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Information - Processed data into meaningful product.
Network Resources
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Communication Media
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Cables, fibre optics, cellular, wireless
Network Support
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Technologies to support the network, modems, internet browsers etc.
Vital Roles of IS within Business
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Support of Business Processes and Operations
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Support of Decision Making by its employees and
managers
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Help with automating processes
Ensure necessary information is available to make decisions
Support of its strategies for competitive advantage
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Drive an organisation’s strategy
Changing Role of IS
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IS is performing an increasingly important role within organisations, that role
is changing.
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Technology Push effects
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Business Pull effects
Technology - ‘Push’
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Increased Capability
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Improved Processing & Storage
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Improved Connection
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Networks
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Internet
Comparative Cost reductions
THE ECONOMICS OF COMPUTERS
Power ‘66
Year
Cost
1966
$10,000,000
2001
$7
2006
$0.87
11,508,821
2016
$0.01
670,329,823
1
1,508,002
Gresham’s Law even faster
Source: McFarlan
McFarlan,, Warren F ., T ale of Two Airlines in the Information Age: Or Why the Spirit of King G eor ge III is Alive
and Well ! Teaching N ote, Copyright © 1995 President and Fellows Harvard College
Ta le of Two Ai rli ne s TN, Sli de 3 of 6
Evolution of Computing Performance
Pric e Pe rfo rmanc e Tre nds o f Main frames a nd PCs
$/MIP s
1,000,000
8:1*
100.000
Main frame
10,000
286:1*
1,000
PCs a nd wo rks tations
900:1*
100
10
1
1980
*Rat io of MIPs per D ollars (Ma inframes:PCs)
1990
1996
Ada pte d from: McKenn ey, J., W a ves o f C ha nge : Bu sine s s Evo lutio n
th rou gh Info rmatio n Tech no log y , Bosto n: Ha rvard Bu sin ess Sch oo l
P re ss, 1 99 5.
Source : Applegat e, Lynda M. , R obe rt D. Aust in, a nd F. Warren M cFa rl an ., Corporat e Informat ion Strat egy and Management. Burr R idge , IL: M cGraw-Hi ll /Irwi n, 2002.
Int roducti on Figure I-1
Business - ‘Pull’
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Factors encouraging organisations to increase their use of I.T.
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Political Factors
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Economic Factors
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Social Factors
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Technological Factors
Changing Role of IT in Organisations
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4 Era’s of Technology
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DP Era (Data Processing)
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MIS Era (Management Information Systems)
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SIS Era (Strategic Information Systems)
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Internet Era
DP Era (50’s-60’s)
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Purpose : AUTOMATE
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Form : Mainframe
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Limitations : Hardware
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Focus : Programming
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Ownership : Computer Dept., Remote from users
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Objectives : lower costs, make use of technology
MIS Era (70’s-80’s)
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Purpose : INFORMATE
Form : Distributed Processing - PC’s
Limitations : Software
Focus : Identifying User’s needs
Ownership : Regulated by management, available as
service
Objectives :Supporting management, meeting users’
needs
SIS Era (80’s-90’s)
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Purpose : TRANSFORMATE
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Form : Networking
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Limitations : Management Vision
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Focus : Identifying Business Opportunities
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Ownership : Executives, Linked to business functions
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Objectives : Supporting Business, meeting business
needs.
Internet Era (Now!)
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Purpose : ???...MATE
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Form : Internet
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Limitations : ??? Viability of Business Models
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Focus : ??? Reach and Range
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Ownership : Everyone - central to whole business
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Objectives : it IS the business.