|| Book - Bourgeois
| Chapter 1: What Is an Information System?
Information systems are made up of different components that work together to
provide value to an organization. They are made up of five components: hardware, software,
data, people, and process.
Technology can be thought of as the application of scientific knowledge for practical
purposes
Information systems hardware is the part of an information system you can touch –
the physical components of the technology.
Software is a set of instructions that tells the hardware what to do. Software is not
tangible – it cannot be touched.
● operating system: Google's android || application software: angry birds
Data is also intangible. Aggregated, indexed, and organized together into a database,
data can become a powerful tool for businesses. Organizations collect all kinds of data and
use it to make decisions. These decisions can then be analyzed as to their effectiveness and
the organization can be improved
A process is a series of steps undertaken to achieve a desired outcome or goal.
Information systems are becoming more and more integrated with organizational processes,
bringing more productivity and better control to those processes. But simply automating
activities using technology is not enough – businesses looking to effectively utilize
information systems do more. Using technology to manage and improve processes, both
within a company and externally with suppliers and customers, is the ultimate goal.
+ One of the roles of information systems is to take data and turn it into
information, and then transform that into organizational knowledge.
Computers are becoming main tools; during this era the first Enterprise Resource
Planning (ERP) systems were developed and run on the client-server architecture. An ERP
system is a software application with a centralized database that can be used to run a
company’s entire business.
The new type of interactive website, where you did not have to know how to create a
web page or do any programming in order to put information online, became known as web
2.0. Web 2.0 is exemplified by blogging, social networking, and interactive comments being
available on many website
Walmart: use of information systems -- implementation of Retail Link the supply
chain management system. It allowed Walmart’s suppliers to directly access the inventory
1
,levels and sales information of their products at any of Walmart’s more than ten thousand
stores.
| Chapter 3: Software
Software is the set of instructions that tell the hardware what to do. Software is
created through the process of programming. Without software, the hardware would not be
functional.
Types of Software:
Software can be broadly divided into two categories: operating systems and
application software. Operating systems manage the hardware and create the interface
between the hardware and the user. Application software is the category of programs that do
something useful for the user.
Operating Systems
The operating system provides several essential functions, including:
1 | Managing the hardware resources of the computer;
2 | providing the user-interface components;
3 | providing a platform for software developers to write applications.
● All computing devices run an operating system
Application Software
Application software is, essentially, software that allows the user to accomplish some
goal or purpose. For example, if you have to write a paper, you might use the
application-software program Microsoft Word. If you want to listen to music, you might use
iTunes. To surf the web, you might use Internet Explorer or Firefox. Even a computer game
could be considered application software.
A “killer” application is one that becomes so essential that large numbers of people
will b uy a device just to run that application. e.g. spreadsheet
● Productivity Software: Along with the spreadsheet, several other software
applications have become standard tools for the workplace. These applications, called
productivity software, allow office employees to complete their daily work. Many
times, these applications come packaged together, such as in Microsoft’s Office suite.
○ Word processing: This class of software provides for the creation of written
documents. Functions include the ability to type and edit text, format fonts and
paragraphs, and add, move, and delete text throughout the document.
○ Spreadsheet: This class of software provides a way to do numeric calculations
and analysis. The working area is divided into rows and columns, where users
2
, can enter numbers, text, or formulas. It is the formulas that make a spreadsheet
powerful, allowing the user to develop complex calculations that can change
based on the numbers entered.
○ Presentation: This class of software provides for the creation of slideshow
presentations.
● Microsoft popularized the idea of the office-software productivity bundle with their
release of Microsoft Office.
Two subcategories of application software worth mentioning are utility software and
programming software. Utility software includes software that allows you to fix or modify
your computer in some way. Examples include antivirus software and disk defragmentation
software. These types of software packages were invented to fill shortcomings in operating
systems. Many times, a subsequent release of an operating system will include these utility
functions as part of the operating system itself.
Programming software is software whose purpose is to make more software. Most
of these programs provide programmers with an environment in which they can write the
code, test it, and convert it into the format that can then be run on a computer.
Enterprise Resource Planning
The enterprise resource planning (ERP) system (enterprise software) was
developed to bring together an entire organization in one software application. An ERP
system is a software application utilizing a central database that is implemented throughout
the entire organization.
● “A software application”: An ERP is a software application that is used by many of an
organization’s employees.
● “utilizing a central database”: All users of the ERP edit and save their information
from the data source. What this means practically is that there is only one customer
database, there is only one calculation for revenue, etc.
● “that is implemented throughout the entire organization”: ERP systems include
functionality that covers all of the essential components of a business. Further, an
organization can purchase modules for its ERP system that match specific needs, such
as manufacturing or planning.
Customer Relationship Management
A customer relationship management (CRM) system is a software application
designed to manage an organization’s customers. In today’s environment, it is important to
3
, develop relationships with your customers, and the use of a well-designed CRM can allow a
business to personalize its relationship with each of its customers. e.g. Salesforce
Supply Chain Management
A supply chain is the linkage between an organization’s suppliers, its manufacturing
facilities, and the distributors of its products.
● Supply Chain Management: “The design, planning, execution, control, and
monitoring of supply chain activities with the objective of creating net value, building
a competitive infrastructure, leveraging worldwide logistics, synchronizing supply
with demand, and measuring performance globally.”
Mobile Applications
Mobile devices such as tablet computers and smartphones also have operating
systems and application software. Most mobile devices run on one of two operating systems:
Android or iOS. Android is an open-source operating system purchased and supported by
Google; iOS is Apple’s mobile operating system.
Cloud Computing
“The cloud” refers to applications, services, and data storage on the Internet. These
service providers rely on giant server farms and massive storage devices that are connected
via Internet protocols. Cloud computing is the use of these services by individuals and
organizations.
e.g. Google Drive's applications
Advantages of Cloud Computing
● No software to install or upgrades to maintain.
● Available from any computer that has access to the Internet.
● Can scale to a large number of users easily.
● New applications can be up and running very quickly.
● Services can be leased for a limited time on an as-needed basis.
● Your information is not lost if your hard disk crashes or your laptop is stolen.
● You are not limited by the available memory or disk space on your computer.
Disadvantages of Cloud Computing
● Your information is stored on someone else’s computer – how safe is it?
● You must have Internet access to use it. If you do not have access, you’re out
of luck.
● You are relying on a third-party to provide these services.
4