Types Of Information System
Conceptually, information systems in the real world can be classified in several different ways. For example, several types of information systems can be classified conceptually as either operations or management information systems.
(i) OPERATIONS SUPPORT SYSTEMS
Information systems have always been needed to process data generated by, and used in, business operations. Such operations support systems produce a variety of information products for internal and external use. However, they do not emphasize producing the specific information products that can best be sued by managers. Further processing by management information systems is usually required. The role of a business firm’s operations support systems is to efficiently process business transactions, control industrial processes, support enterprise communications and collaboration, and update corporate databases.
(ii) TRANSACTION PROCESSING SYSTEMS
Operations support systems include the major category of transaction processing systems (TPS). Transaction processing systems record and process data resulting fro business transactions. Typically examples are information systems that process sales, purchases, and inventory changes. The results of such processing are sued to update customer, inventory, and other organizational databases. These databases then provide the data resources that can be processed and used by management information systems, decision support systems, and executive information systems.
Transaction processing systems process transactions in two basic ways. In batch processing, transactions data is accumulated over a period of time and processed periodically. In real-time (or online) processing, data is processed immediately after a transaction occurs. For example, point of sale (POS) systems at retail stores may use electronic cash register terminals to capture and transmit sales data over telecommunication links to regional computer centers for immediate (real-time) or nightly (batch) processing.
(iii) PROCESS CONTROL SYSTEMS
Operation support systems also make routine decisions that control operational processes. Examples are automatic inventory reorder decisions and production control decisions. This includes a category of information systems called process control systems, in which decisions adjusting a physical production process are automatically made by computers. For example, a petroleum refiner uses electronic sensors linked to computers to continually monitor chemical processes. The computers monitor a chemical process, capture and process data detected by sensors, and make instant (real-time) adjustments to appropriate refinery processes.
(iv) ENTERPRISE COLLABORATION SYSTEMS
Enterprise collaboration systems are information systems that use a variety of information technologies to help people work together. Enterprise collaboration systems help us collaborate to communicate ides, share resources, and coordinate our cooperative work efforts as members of the many formal and informal process and project teams and other workgroups that are a vital part of today’s organizations. Thus, the goal of enterprise collaboration systems is to use information technology to enhance the productivity and creativity of teams and workgroups in the modern business enterprise.
(v) MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SYSTEMS
When information systems focus on providing information and support for effective decision making by managers, they are called management support systems.
Conceptually, information systems in the real world can be classified in several different ways. For example, several types of information systems can be classified conceptually as either operations or management information systems.
(i) OPERATIONS SUPPORT SYSTEMS
Information systems have always been needed to process data generated by, and used in, business operations. Such operations support systems produce a variety of information products for internal and external use. However, they do not emphasize producing the specific information products that can best be sued by managers. Further processing by management information systems is usually required. The role of a business firm’s operations support systems is to efficiently process business transactions, control industrial processes, support enterprise communications and collaboration, and update corporate databases.
(ii) TRANSACTION PROCESSING SYSTEMS
Operations support systems include the major category of transaction processing systems (TPS). Transaction processing systems record and process data resulting fro business transactions. Typically examples are information systems that process sales, purchases, and inventory changes. The results of such processing are sued to update customer, inventory, and other organizational databases. These databases then provide the data resources that can be processed and used by management information systems, decision support systems, and executive information systems.
Transaction processing systems process transactions in two basic ways. In batch processing, transactions data is accumulated over a period of time and processed periodically. In real-time (or online) processing, data is processed immediately after a transaction occurs. For example, point of sale (POS) systems at retail stores may use electronic cash register terminals to capture and transmit sales data over telecommunication links to regional computer centers for immediate (real-time) or nightly (batch) processing.
(iii) PROCESS CONTROL SYSTEMS
Operation support systems also make routine decisions that control operational processes. Examples are automatic inventory reorder decisions and production control decisions. This includes a category of information systems called process control systems, in which decisions adjusting a physical production process are automatically made by computers. For example, a petroleum refiner uses electronic sensors linked to computers to continually monitor chemical processes. The computers monitor a chemical process, capture and process data detected by sensors, and make instant (real-time) adjustments to appropriate refinery processes.
(iv) ENTERPRISE COLLABORATION SYSTEMS
Enterprise collaboration systems are information systems that use a variety of information technologies to help people work together. Enterprise collaboration systems help us collaborate to communicate ides, share resources, and coordinate our cooperative work efforts as members of the many formal and informal process and project teams and other workgroups that are a vital part of today’s organizations. Thus, the goal of enterprise collaboration systems is to use information technology to enhance the productivity and creativity of teams and workgroups in the modern business enterprise.
(v) MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SYSTEMS
When information systems focus on providing information and support for effective decision making by managers, they are called management support systems.
