Unit1 introduction to information system

Unit 1: Introduction to Information System

Prepared by : Prof. Sin Sovanna

Updated : 01-Mar-2013

1MIS/UT.1/UD: 01-Mar-2013

Unit Outline

Introduction

I. History of information systems

II. Introduction to Computer Architecture

III. Introduction to Communication Architecture

IV. The Evolution in Computer Application

V. Information System Users

VI. Managers As Information System Users

VII. The Roles of Information in Management Problem Solving

VIII. The Future of Information Technology


Computer have been used for business application since mid-1950s. Since then, dramatic improvement have been made in both hardware and software, making it possible for the benefit of computer processing to be enjoyed by individuals as well as organizations.

The first widely marketed at the U.S census bureau in 1951 and then at General Electric (GE) in 1954. International Business Machine (IBM) quickly responded with a complete product line that led to the system in the 1960s, The first computer to support Multiple users at the same time.

Introduction


Minicomputer which were smaller than large mainframes and popular with scientific users, appeared in the 1970s, it didn’t take long for the trend to smaller computers to gain momentum.

Computer began as machines that were as large as a room. These computer performed simple tasks such as adding numbers quickly. Vicuum tubes the size of small light provided much of the circuitry. Transistors and chips on silicon interface replaced those early electronics, and the resulting lower manufacturing costs led to a growing demand for computers. The processing speed is slow and operate in once time. The heat is easier increase of operating.

Introduction (Continued)


Although, the many of scientist had discovered many ways for solve Computer processing speeds have continued to increase as the size of computer circuits has decreased. Because the speed of electricity moving through the circuits is constant, decreasing the size of computer circuit by halt will double its speed. The guiding principle of computer circuit design, miniaturization, continues to increase computer-processing speeds and decrease computer costs.



Communications and computers go hand-in-hand. Communication between computers has increased as computer use has grown. Communication has leapt from simple transmission down copper wires to the realm of wireless radio waves and fiber-optics.

The first business applications involved the processing of accounting transactions. Once accounting

transaction processing systems were in place,

firms shifted their systems focus to providing

information to the firm’s managers for problem

solving.

The future of information technology

indicates a continued trend toward decreasing

size and increasing mobility.



The history of information system includes a look back how hardware has involved and how it has been applied over time. In the half century, digital computer was installed in a business organization, hardware has experienced many-fold increases in speed and capacity along with dramatic reductions in size.

I. History of information systems


1. The Evolution in Computer Hardware

• Computer as we know today can be traced back to a machine called Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator (ENIAC). Which was developed in 1946 by John W.Mauchly and J.Presper Eckert, two engineers at the University of Pennsylvania. The first ENIAC I was installed in a government organization, the U.S Census Bureau, in 1951.

• 3 years later, the same type of machine was installed in the first business organization, General Electric (GE).

I. History of information systems (Continued)


These machines performed fewer than 2000 calculations per second, which is extremely slow compared to the 2 billion or more instructions per second that are common for today’s smallest and least expensive microcomputers. These early computers, called mainframes focused on a single task requested by a single user. The term mainframes is still in used today, but now used to described the large, found in large organization.



2. Smaller Computers

During the early years of computing, in most firms the computer department monopolized the computers. Users were not allowed to access the computers, which were housed in the central computing facility. Users had to communicate their information needs to Information Specialists.

Employees who have a full time responsibility for developing and operating information systems. The information specialists are systems analysts, programmers, database administrators, network specialists, and webmasters


10MIS/UT.1/UD: 01-Mar-2013

The first small-scale systems were called microcomputer or micro. Micro was seen as a computer that could be owned and operated by an individual. Apple & The Tandy Corporation were pioneers in the microcomputer market.


11MIS/UT.1/UD: 01-Mar-2013

When the people think of computers, they often think of the collection of the computer processor and input and output devices. The largest mainframe computer and the personal computer on your desk have a similar architecture.

Hardware is controlled by the operating system. Application Software performs tasks for the user. At the core of a computer is its processor. The processor, which is controlled by an operating system such as Window 7, manages the input and output devices, data storage devices and operations on the data.

II. Introduction to Computer Architecture

12MIS/UT.1/UD: 01-Mar-2013

CPU controls all the other components. Random Access Memory (RAM) acts as the temporary workspace for the CPU: the greater the work area, the more quickly the CPU can accomplish its tasks. The CD-ROM, USB flash drives and hard disk (also know as the hard drive) are storage devices.

II. Introduction to Computer (Continued)

13MIS/UT.1/UD: 01-Mar-2013

Communication between computers are constrained by the fact that telephone communications between people came first. Telephone communication standards and procedures were never meant to accommodate the extremely fast digital communications required between computers.

III. Introduction to Communication Architecture

14MIS/UT.1/UD: 01-Mar-2013

Any computer that uses the public telephone system to communicate with other computers requires a modem. A modem is a hardware device that modulates the digital signals from a computer (either on or off, like a light switch) into analog signals (a continuous wave, such as the sound of a voice) and vice versa. Now computers can communicate over wireless networks.

The wireless revolution continues. However, the single cloud on the horizon of wireless communications is security.

III. Introduction to Communication… (Continued)

15MIS/UT.1/UD: 01-Mar-2013

Information systems are virtual systems that enable management to control the operations of the physical system of the firm.

The Physical System of the firm consists of tangible resources: materials, personnel, machines, and money.

The Virtual System consists of the information resources that are used to represent the physical system.

IV. The Evolution of Computer Applications

16MIS/UT.1/UD: 01-Mar-2013

For example, an inventory storeroom containing inventory items is a physical system, and the computer-based inventory master file is a virtual system that represents the physical system.

The physical system of the firm is an Open System that interacts with its environment by means of physical resources flows. An information system is also an open system. A closed system is one that does not communicate with its environment.

IV. The Evolution of Computer App…(Continued)

17MIS/UT.1/UD: 01-Mar-2013

1. Transaction Processing Systems

Data consist of facts and figures that are generally unusable because of their large volume and unrefined nature. Precomputer system processed payroll, inventory, billing data and general ledger transactions.

The first computer-based systems were called Electronic data processing (EDP) systems. Today, the term transaction processing system is common, Such systems share a common bond in that they process data that reflect the activities of the firm.


18MIS/UT.1/UD: 01-Mar-2013

For


19MIS/UT.1/UD: 01-Mar-2013

3. Management Information System:

MIS as the computer-based system that makes information available to users with similar needs. MIS users usually comprise a formal organization entity the firm or a subsidiary submit.


20MIS/UT.1/UD: 01-Mar-2013

4. Virtual Office Systems:

In 1964, Computer Technology was applied to office tasks when IBM introduced and Electronic typewriter with a magnetic-tape capability. The application was called Word Processing. This was the beginning of Office automation, which use of electronic to facilitate communication. Additional applications include E-mail, Voice mail, audio, Videoconferencing and fax transmission.


21MIS/UT.1/UD: 01-Mar-2013

5. Decision Support Systems (DSS)

DSS is a system that assists a single manager or a small group of managers to solve a single problem. An example is a DSS designed to help a sale manager determine the best commission rate for the sale force. DSS outputs were originally produced from a relational database and included periodic and special reports and outputs from mathematical models.

Recent additions to DSSs include artificial intelligence and on-line analytical processing. Artificial intelligence (AI) is the science of providing computers with the ability to display behavior similar to that of an intelligent human.


22MIS/UT.1/UD: 01-Mar-2013

6. Enterprise Resource Planning Systems:

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System is a computer-based system that enables the management of all of the firm’s resources on an organization-wide basis.

There are some components

of ERP System such as:

a. Sale

b. A/C Receivable

c. A/C Payable

d. Purchase

e. Inventory

f. HRM/Project/Worker/Doc

g. Payroll, Manufacturing…etc.


23MIS/UT.1/UD: 01-Mar-2013

The first user of computer output were clerical employees in the accounting area. Some information, such as that produced as a by-product of accounting applications, was also made available to managers. The MIS concept, emphasis shifted from data to information and from clerical employees to problem solvers.

However, IS will emphasize the use of MISs by managers. The reason for this approach is that before long you will be a Manager, and the purpose of the text is to prepare your to use firm’s computer resources so that you will become a successful Manager.

V. Information System Users

24MIS/UT.1/UD: 01-Mar-2013

Because managers are individuals, their information needs vary widely. However, some useful frameworks have been developed that make it possible to address the role of information in problem solving. Managers have to understand the real managerial framework upon modern organization are based.

VI. Managers As information System Users

25MIS/UT.1/UD: 01-Mar-2013

1. Where Managers are found

Managers exist on various managerial levels and within various business areas of the firm.

Management Level Management theorist Robert N. Anthony coined names for the three primary management levels: Top, Middle and Lower.

VI. Managers As information System…(Continued)

26MIS/UT.1/UD: 01-Mar-2013

A. Top: Managers at the top of the organizational hierarchy, such as the president and vice president, are often referred to as being on the Strategic Planning Level, recognizing the fact that their decisions will often impact the entire organization for years to come.

B. Middle: Manager include regional managers, Product Directors, are often referred to as being on the Management Control Level, because mid-level managers have to responsible to put the plans into action and ensure that goals are met.

C. Lower: This lowest level has been called the Operational Control Level, because it is here that the firm’s operations actually occur.


27MIS/UT.1/UD: 01-Mar-2013

Business Areas in addition to the organization levels, managers can be found in various business areas. The three traditional business areas are marketing, manufacturing, and finance.


28MIS/UT.1/UD: 01-Mar-2013


29MIS/UT.1/UD: 01-Mar-2013

2. What Managers Do

a. Management Function:

Around 1914, the theorist of Luther Gulick (POSDCORB):

P: Planning

O: Organising

S: Staffing

D: Directing

CO: Coordinating

R: Reporting

B: Budgeting

.


30MIS/UT.1/UD: 01-Mar-2013

b. Managerial Roles:

Henry Mintzberg, a professor at McGill University in Montreal. He developed a more detailed framework that involve interpersonal, informational, and decisional activities.

These management functions and managerial roles provide useful frameworks when designing information systems to support managers in decision making.

.


31MIS/UT.1/UD: 01-Mar-2013

1. Interpersonal Roles:

A. Figurehead: The manager performs ceremonial duties of facilities.

B. Leader: The manager maintains the unit by hiring and training the staff and providing motivation and encouragement.

C. Liaison: The managers makes the contract with managers outside the manager’s own unit, peers and others in the unit’s environment, for the purpose of attending to business matters.

VII. The Roles of Information in Management Problem Solving

32MIS/UT.1/UD: 01-Mar-2013

2. Information Roles:

A. Monitor: The manager constantly looks for information bearing on the performance of the unit.

B. Disseminator: The manager passes valuable information along to others in the unit.

C. Spokesperson: The manager passes valuable information along to those outside the units.

VII. The Roles of Information in Management Problem Solving (Continued)

33MIS/UT.1/UD: 01-Mar-2013

3. Decisional Roles:

A. Entrepreneur: The manager makes rather permanent improvements to the unit, such as changing the organizational structure.

B. Disturbance handler: The manager reacts to unanticipated events, such as the devaluation of the dollar in a foreign country where the firm has operations.

C. Resource allocator: The manager controls the purse strings of the unit, determining which subsidiary units get which resources.

D. Negotiator: The manager resolves disputes both within the unit and between the units and its environment.

VII. The Roles of Information in Management Problem Solving (Continued)

34MIS/UT.1/UD: 01-Mar-2013

The future of information technology will be driven by the reduced cost and increased power of both computers and communications. The power of computes is measured in processing speed, storage capacity, and variety of input and out devices. Communications power is measured by cost and transmission speed, such as the amount of data that can be communicated in a specific amount of time.

These advances indicate that in the future computing will be low cost, small in size, mobile, and connected. To take advantage of these new possibilities, managers must learn to incorporate information system into decision making.

VIII. The Future of Information Technology

35MIS/UT.1/UD: 01-Mar-2013

36

REQUIRED READINGS:

1. Read text book, MIS of Peason Education, 10th Edition.

2. Read: Unit 1 in Prof. Sin Sovanna’s MIS READING MATERIALS dated: 01st Mar, 2013.

REVIEW QUESTIONS:

1. What is an information specialist? Provide four examples2. What are the main functions of CPU and RAM?3. What is management function? Explain the elements of it?4. How does the focus of a DSS differ from that of an MIS?5. Why are group decision support systems important?

MIS/UT.1/UD: 01-Mar-2013

Unit1 introduction to information system

Technology

Transcript of Unit1 introduction to information system