Fundamentals of Information Systems D r Ahmed AboulFotouh

Fundamentals of Information Systems D r. Ahmed Aboul-Fotouh Saleh prof. of Information Systems Faculty of Computer and Information Sciences / ﻛﻠﻴﺔ ﺍﻟﺤﺎﺳﺒﺎﺕ ﻭﺍﻟﻤﻌﻠﻮﻣﺎﺕ 2012 ﻓﺒﺮﺍﻳﺮ 21 ﺍﻟﺜﻼﺛﺎﺀ ﺍﻟﻤﻮﺍﻓﻖ

Chapter 1 Introduction To Information Systems Concepts 3

Preface • Information systems play a vital role in the business success of an enterprise. • Understanding system concepts will help you understand many other concepts in the technology. For example, systems concepts help you understand: - That computers are systems of information processing components. - That business uses of computers are really interconnected business information systems. 4

Systems concepts • A system can be defined a set of elements or components that interact to accomplish goals • A system is a group of interrelated components working together toward a common goal by accepting inputs and producing outputs in an organized transformation process. • Many examples of systems can be found in the physical and biological sciences, in modern technology, and in human society. 5

Elements/Components of a System: • Such a system ( Dynamic system) has a set of basic interacting components or functions: • To reconstruct a system, the following' key elements must be considered; a. Inputs & Outputs b. Processing c. Control d. Feedback e. Environment f. Boundaries 6

Figure 1. 3: Components of a System 7

System Components and Concepts(cont. . ) • Systems can be classified as simple or complex, open or closed, stable or dynamic, adaptive or nonadaptive, and permanent or temporary 8

Table 1. 3: Systems Classifications and Their Primary Characteristics 9

System Performance and Standards • Efficiency: a measure of what is produced divided by what is consumed • Effectiveness: extent to which system attains its goals ﺍﻟﻰ ﺃﻰ ﻣﺪﻯ ﺗﺤﻘﻘﺖ ﺍﻫﺪﺍﻑ ﺍﻟﻨﻈﺎﻡ • System performance standard: a specific objective of a system 10

System Variables and Parameters • System variable: quantity or item controlled by the decision maker • System parameter: value or quantity that cannot be controlled (e. g. , the cost of a raw material) 11

A System approach to problem solving • The system approach to problem solving uses a systems orientation to define problems and opportunities and develop solutions. • a problem and formulating a solution involves the following interrelated activities: - Recognize and define a problem or opportunity in a systems context. - Develop and evaluate alternative system solutions. - Select the system solution that best meets your requirements. - Design the selected system solution so that it meets your requirements. - Implement and evaluate the success of the designed system. 12

The systems approach to problem solving Define the problem Develop Alternative Solutions ·Define a problem or opportunity in a system context. ·Develop and evaluate alternative system solutions Select the solution ·Select the system solution that best meets your requirements. Design the selected solution ·Design the selected solution to meet your requirements. Implementation the solution ·Implement and evaluate the success of the designed system. 13

What is the Information systems • Information system (IS) • A set of interrelated components that collect, manipulate, and disseminate ﻧﺸﺮ data and information and provide feedback to meet an objective • Examples: ATMs, airline reservation systems, course reservation systems 14

Information Concepts: Data Versus Information • Data: raw facts • Information: collection of facts organized in such a way that they have additional value beyond the facts themselves 15

Table 1. 1: Types of Data 16

Figure 1. 2: The Process of Transforming Data into Information 17

• Knowledge • An awareness and understanding of a set of information & Experience and how that information can be made useful to support a specific task • Knowledge base • The collection of data, rules, procedures, and relationships that must be followed to achieve value. 18

Table 1. 2: Characteristics of Valuable Data 19

Table 1. 2: Characteristics of Valuable Data (continued) 20

Figure 1. 7: The Components of an Information System 21

Input, Processing, Output, Feedback • Input: activity of gathering and capturing raw data • Processing: converting or transforming data into useful outputs • Output: production of useful information, usually in form of documents and reports • Feedback: output used to make changes to input or processing activities 22

Functions of an Information System

Computer-Based Information Systems • Computer-based information system (CBIS) • A single set of hardware, software, databases, telecommunications, people, and procedures that are configured to collect, manipulate, store, and process data into information • Examples: a company’s payroll systems, order entry system, and inventory control systems 24

Figure 1. 8: The Components of a Computer-Based Information System 25

Summary • Data: raw facts • Information: collection of facts organized in such a way that they have value beyond the facts themselves • System: a set of elements that interact to accomplish a goal • Components of a system: input, processing, output, and feedback • A model is an abstraction that is used to represent reality 26

Summary (continued) • Computer-based information system (CBIS): a single set of hardware, software, databases, telecommunications, people, and procedures that are configured to collect, manipulate, store, and process data into information 27