Unit 3 - Information Systems, P4 - Describe the features (data, people, hardware, software, and telecommunications) and functions (input, storage, processing, and output) of information systems, P5 - Identify the different types of information systems used within an organisation such as this one. (...
P4 - Describe the features (data, people, hardware, software, and telecommunications) and
functions (input, storage, processing, and output) of information systems.
-Features:
Data:
Data that is being stored and put into the business’s system must be very accurate so it could save
time and money for the company. It then must be stored in a logical way where it would be found
easily by staff members and administrators. After all this, all the data must be converted into
information that’d suit the department the best, that’d require and use these information.
People:
Employees who gather the data for the company must be aware the of the highlights, values, key
information that they put into the system, so they can do their job properly and so the data would
actually be usable and useful. The job of gathering data will also get a little bit easier for the
employees as they’ll know exactly what information to look for as they’ll have a clear understanding
about the information that they have to capture.
Hardware:
Hardware is used to have access to information and to store data on computers and
servers/networks. In smaller businesses and organisations an MIS (Management Information
System/Services) might run on the sales and or the finance director’s, teams computer only. In larger
businesses and organisations it will most likely run a dedicated server that could either be shared or
be an intranet (work inside of the business only). This would let the right people with authorisation
to have access to files and data.
Software:
There are a wide variety and a large amount of software available for businesses to choose from.
Smaller businesses may be able to run cheaper software/packages just fine such as: Microsoft office,
MySQL and other managing software. Larger businesses however may require specialised software
that would fit their needs perfectly, this however could be costly but the good thing is that it could
increase the performance of the business as well as it could make it more efficient that could
eventually increase profits, shorten waiting times etc. The IT department in both small and larger
businesses are required to back up their data in case a natural disaster, so information can be easily
and safely restored. Larger businesses may require to make backups more regularly than smaller
businesses as they’d have a larger volume of confidential/important information.
Telecommunications:
Telecommunications is also one of the key features of information systems. Businesses may use
internet or internet to share their information and data with their other departments and inside their
own businesses to transfer information from one place to another with ease. It is important for
businesses to use a high level of security against data breaches, hackers, viruses. Businesses usually
use firewalls, VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) and other security software that encrypts the
connection and only allows authorised people to have access to the data that is being stored and
shared on the same network.
-Functions:
Input:
Input stands to explain how data is entered into the information systems. There are two types of how
this could be inputted: 1- The the inputted data is stored, refined in a system which then allows it to
Roland UDVARLAKI – Unit 3 – Assignment 2 – P4, P5 – Page 1 of 4
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