ICS321 / IBM205 Management Information Systems

Dr. Kenneth Cosh

Lecture 1

M.I.S.

• ICS321 & IBM205

• 3(3-0) credits.

• Dr. Kenneth Cosh

• Office: 313

• Class Time: 10:30-12 – Mon/Wed

• Assessment: Midterm, Final, Group presentation, Individual Report.

Course Description

“A study of the structure of basic information and the design and development of management information systems within business and industrial environments. Students will explore the application of information technology as a management productivity tool and integrative use of application programs to improve productivity.”

Today’s Topic

• Foundation Concepts

What is M.I.S.?

Management Information Systemsor

The Management of Information Systems

• “The study of information systems and their use in business and management” (Laudon)

• MIS is a term from the 1960’s, it is now often considered out of date.

Why study M.I.S.?• For C.I.S. students;

– It’s a key application of materials from related courses.– As a C.I.S. graduate it’s likely you will be dealing with

computerised information systems within businesses.– Most of the information systems we will be dealing with

are ‘computer-based information systems’ (CBIS).• For IBM students;

– Information is taking on an increasingly important role within business.

– IS/IT is used to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of business processes and decision making.

– Managing Information is just as important as managing accounts, or marketing, or people.

What is an Information System?

• “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?

• Technologies are ‘devices’ which can assist with the working of the information system;– Paper and Pencil (Hardware)– Word of Mouth (Communication Networks)– Filing Cabinet (Data Resource)

• Mostly we will be interested in computer based technology.

What is a System?

• “Group of interrelated or interacting elements forming a unified whole.” (O’Brien)– Physical Systems (Weather Systems, Solar

Systems)– Biological Systems (Human body)– Educational Systems (Schools, Universities)– Information Systems…

Systems

• 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

Output

Processing

Feedback and Control

• 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

Output

Processing Feedback& Control

System Example

• A Thermostat self-regulating Air Conditioning.– Input: Current room temperature.– Processing: Comparison with desired

temperature– Output: Either On or Off– Feedback & Control: Ability of human user to

adjust temperature.

Further System Concepts

• Sub-systems– 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 interract / 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).

• Adaptive Systems– Some systems have the ability to change itself or it’s

environment in order to survive.

Information Systems

• Collects data inputs, transforms them into information outputs and disseminates the information around an organisation.

• Remember O’Brien’s quote?– “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;– People, Hardware, Software, Communication, Data

A Computer…for Dummies!

• Input Devices– Keyboard, Mouse,

Microphone, Scanner…

• Output Devices– Monitor, Printer, Speaker…

• Processor– CPU

• Storage Capabilities– Main memory (RAM),

Secondary memory (Hard Disk, CD’s etc.)

Information System Resources

• People

• Hardware

• Software

• Data

• Network (Communication)

People Resources

• End Users - the people who use the information systems. E.g. Customers, salespeople, engineers, clerks, accountants, all of us!

• IS Specialists - the people who develop, implement and maintain the information systems. E.g. software developers, analysts, support staff.

Hardware Resources

• Physical, Tangible devices & materials used in information processing.– Machines - PC’s, monitors, printers etc.– Media - disks, printouts, paper etc.

Software Resources

• Information Processing Instructions– Programs (system, application software)

• OS, word processing, spreadsheets, databases, payroll etc.

– Procedures (Operating Instructions)• Data Entry procedures, paycheck distribution

procedures

Data Resources

• Databases

• Knowledge Bases

• Data vs Information?– Data - Raw material resources – Information - Processed data into meaningful

product.

From Data to Wisdom

• 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)

Network Resources

• Communication Media– Cables, fibre optics, cellular, wireless

• Network Support– Technologies to support the network,

modems, internet browsers etc.