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Information systems

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In a general sense , the term Information System (IS) refers to a system of people, data records and activities that process the data and information in an organization, and it includes the organization’s manual and automated processes. In a narrow sense, the term information system (or computer-based information system) refers to the specific application software that is used to store data records in a computer system and automates some of the information-processing activities of the organization. Computer-based information systems are in the field of information technology. The discipline of business process modelling describes the business processes supported by information systems.

The Information System consists of five parts which include: people, procedures, software, hardware, and data. There are various types of information systems, for example: transaction processing systems, office systems, decision support systems, knowledge management systems, database management systems, and office information systems. Critical to most information systems are information technologies, which are typically designed to enable humans to perform tasks for which the human brain is not well suited, such as: handling large amounts of information, performing complex calculations, and controlling many simultaneous processes.

Information technologies are a very important and malleable resource available to executives.[1] Many companies have created a position of Chief Information Officer (CIO) that sits on the executive board with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Chief Technical Officer (CTO).The CTO may also serve as CIO, and vice versa. The Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), who focuses on information security within an organization, normally reports to the CIO.

In computer security, an information system is described by the following components [2]:

  • Repositories, which hold data permanently or temporarily, such as buffers, RAM, hard disks, cache, etc. Often data stored in repositories is managed through a database management system.
  • Interfaces, which support the interaction between humans and computers, such as keyboards, speakers, scanners, printers, etc.
  • Channels, which connect repositories, such as routers, cables, etc.

Types of information systems

As new information technologies are developed, new categories emerge that can be used to classify information systems. Some examples are:

  • Transaction processing systems
  • Management information systems
  • Decision support systems
  • Expert systems
  • Office Automation
  • Business intelligence

References

  1. ^ Rockart et al. (1996) Eight imperatives for the new IT organization Sloan Management review.
  2. ^ Trcek, D., Trobec, R., Pavesic, N., & Tasic, J.F. (2007). Information systems security and human behaviour. Behaviour & Information Technology, 26(2), 113-118.

O’Leary, T. (2008). Computing Essentials Introductory 2008. McGraw-Hill. [www.computing2008.com].

Further reading

Links

This guide is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia.

2009
08/17
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Computing

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Computing is usually defined as the activity of using and developing computer technology, computer hardware and software. It is the computer-specific part of information technology. Computer science (or computing science) is the study and the science of the theoretical foundations of information and computation and their implementation and application in computer systems.

Computing Curricula 2005[1] defined computing:

In a general way, we can define computing to mean any goal-oriented activity requiring, benefiting from, or creating computers. Thus, computing includes designing and building hardware and software systems for a wide range of purposes; processing, structuring, and managing various kinds of information; doing scientific studies using computers; making computer systems behave intelligently; creating and using communications and entertainment media; finding and gathering information relevant to any particular purpose, and so on. The list is virtually endless, and the possibilities are vast.

Definitions

The term computing has sometimes been narrowly defined, as in a 1989 ACM report on Computing as a Discipline[2]:

The discipline of computing is the systematic study of algorithmic processes that describe and transform information: their theory, analysis, design, efficiency, implementation, and application. The fundamental question underlying all computing is ‘What can be (efficiently) automated?’

Computing Curricula 2005[1] also recognizes that the meaning of computing depends on the context:

Computing also has other meanings that are more specific, based on the context in which the term is used. For example, an information systems specialist will view computing somewhat differently from a software engineer. Regardless of the context, doing computing well can be complicated and difficult. Because society needs people to do computing well, we must think of computing not only as a profession but also as a discipline.

The term computing is also synonymous with counting and calculating. In earlier times it was used in reference to mechanical computing machines.

A computer is a electronic device that performs certain arithmatic and logical operations without any errors.

References

  1. ^ a b The Joint Task Force for Computing Curricula 2005. Computing Curricula 2005: The Overview Report (pdf)
  2. ^ Computing as a Discipline (pdf)

This guide is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia.

Video: An Overview of High Performance Computing and Challenges for the Future

2009
04/29
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Computing
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