RECOGNIZING INFORMATION SYSTEM
There are many kinds of information systems in the real world. All of them use hardware, software, network, and people resources to transform data resources into information products. Some are simple manual information systems, where people use simple tools such as pencils and paper, or even machines such as calculators and typewriters. Others are computer based information systems that rely on a variety of networked computer systems to accomplish their information processing activities.
As business end user, you should be able to recognize the fundamental components of information systems you encounter in the real world. This means that you should be able to identify:
THE EXPANDING ROLES OF INFORMATION SYSTEM
You will also see that the roles given to the information systems functions have expand significantly over the years.
TRENDS INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Until the 1990s, the role of information systems was simple, transaction processing, record-keeping, accounting, and other electronic data processing (EDP) applications. Then another role was added, as the concept of management information system (MIS) was conceived. This new role focused on providing managerial end users with predefined management reports that would give managers the information they needed for decision-making purposes.
By the 1970s, it was evident that the pre-specified information products produced by such management information systems were not adequately meeting many of the (DSS) was born. The new role for information systems was to provide managerial end users with ad hoc and interactive support of their decision-making processes.
In the 1980s, several new roles for information systems appeared. First, the rapid development of microcomputer processing power, application software packages, and telecommunications networks give birth to the phenomenon of end user computing. Now, end users can use their own computing resources to support their job requirements instead of waiting for the indirect support of corporate information services departments.
Second, it became evident that most top corporate executives did not directly use either the reports of information reporting systems or the analytical modeling capabilities of decision support systems, so the concept of executive information systems (EIS) was developed. These information systems attempt to give top executives an easy way to get the critical information they want, when they want it, tailored to the formats they prefer.
Third, breakthrough s occurred in the development and application of artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to business information systems. Expert systems can serve as consultants to users by providing expert advice in limited subject areas.
An important new role for information systems appeared in the 1980s and continues into the 1990s. This is the concept of a strategic role for information systems, sometimes called strategic information systems (SIS). In this concept, information technology becomes an integral component of business processes, products, and services hat help a company gain a competitive advantage in the global marketplace.
Finally, the rapid growth of the Internet, intranets, extranets, and other interconnected global networks in the 1990s is dramatically changing the capabilities of information systems in business as we move into the next century. Such enterprise and global internetworking is revolutionizing end user, enterprise, and inter organizational computing, communications, and collaboration that supports the business operations and management of successful global enterprises.
There are many kinds of information systems in the real world. All of them use hardware, software, network, and people resources to transform data resources into information products. Some are simple manual information systems, where people use simple tools such as pencils and paper, or even machines such as calculators and typewriters. Others are computer based information systems that rely on a variety of networked computer systems to accomplish their information processing activities.
As business end user, you should be able to recognize the fundamental components of information systems you encounter in the real world. This means that you should be able to identify:
- The people, hardware, software, data, and network resources they use.
- The type of information products they produce.
- The way they perform input, processing, output, storage and control activities.
- How they support the business operations, managerial decision-making, or competitive advantage of a business.
THE EXPANDING ROLES OF INFORMATION SYSTEM
You will also see that the roles given to the information systems functions have expand significantly over the years.
TRENDS INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Until the 1990s, the role of information systems was simple, transaction processing, record-keeping, accounting, and other electronic data processing (EDP) applications. Then another role was added, as the concept of management information system (MIS) was conceived. This new role focused on providing managerial end users with predefined management reports that would give managers the information they needed for decision-making purposes.
By the 1970s, it was evident that the pre-specified information products produced by such management information systems were not adequately meeting many of the (DSS) was born. The new role for information systems was to provide managerial end users with ad hoc and interactive support of their decision-making processes.
In the 1980s, several new roles for information systems appeared. First, the rapid development of microcomputer processing power, application software packages, and telecommunications networks give birth to the phenomenon of end user computing. Now, end users can use their own computing resources to support their job requirements instead of waiting for the indirect support of corporate information services departments.
Second, it became evident that most top corporate executives did not directly use either the reports of information reporting systems or the analytical modeling capabilities of decision support systems, so the concept of executive information systems (EIS) was developed. These information systems attempt to give top executives an easy way to get the critical information they want, when they want it, tailored to the formats they prefer.
Third, breakthrough s occurred in the development and application of artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to business information systems. Expert systems can serve as consultants to users by providing expert advice in limited subject areas.
An important new role for information systems appeared in the 1980s and continues into the 1990s. This is the concept of a strategic role for information systems, sometimes called strategic information systems (SIS). In this concept, information technology becomes an integral component of business processes, products, and services hat help a company gain a competitive advantage in the global marketplace.
Finally, the rapid growth of the Internet, intranets, extranets, and other interconnected global networks in the 1990s is dramatically changing the capabilities of information systems in business as we move into the next century. Such enterprise and global internetworking is revolutionizing end user, enterprise, and inter organizational computing, communications, and collaboration that supports the business operations and management of successful global enterprises.
