Describe functions of information systems
Assessment
Report
Every Information System requires you to login and put a password in.
You type on an input device, which is analogue
That gets converted to digital inside the computer
The CPU can process those keystrokes and send a message to the hard drive (storage) to check if the password is correct, the CPU compares the information stored on the hard drive to what was entered (which is the processing part)
If it is not, the user will be prompted to re-type their password (through a Feedback Loop until they get it correct or are locked out after 3 times
The whole process is displayed on your monitor (output device)
The code above is written in Python and when I run the program and try two wrong passwords, the computer asks me to Re-enter them until I do.
Functions, in relation to:
input
storage
processing
output
feedback loop
Information systems are like a game console. You plug stuff into it, it does some magic inside, and then you get something cool on your TV screen. Just like a game console has different components like the power supply, processor, and controllers, an information system has different functions like input, storage, processing, output, and feedback loops. Let's dive into these functions!
What it is:
Just like pressing buttons on your game controller, this is where you feed raw data into the system.
Examples:
Typing in an employee's details into an HR system.
Scanning a product barcode in a retail system.
What it is:
Consider this like your game console's hard drive where all your game data is stored for later use.
Examples:
Keeping records of all past sales transactions.
Archiving emails in a corporate system.
What it is:
This is the "magic" your game console does to turn your button presses into actions on screen. The system takes the raw data and turns it into something useful.
Examples:
Calculating the average sales for the month.
Sorting a list of customer complaints by priority.
What it is:
This is like what you see on your TV screen after your game console has processed your inputs. It's the useful information you get out of the system.
Examples:
A payroll report that shows everyone's salaries and deductions.
A list of items that need to be reordered in an inventory system.
What it is:
This is like getting game scores or achievements that tell you how you're doing and what to try next. Feedback loops help the system adjust and improve.
Examples:
An alert that tells you when stock is running low so you can order more.
Employee performance reviews that are used to make adjustments to HR programs.
So there you go! Just like each part of your game console has a role to play in your gaming experience, each function of an information system has its own role to play in helping an organization run smoothly.
From an IT business perspective, an information system functions like a well-oiled machine, each part contributing to overall effectiveness and efficiency. Understanding each of these functions is crucial for system architects, developers, and IT managers to ensure optimal performance and business alignment. Let's break down these functions.
Business Perspective:
This is the data capture phase where raw business data is collected for further operations. Efficient input methods can significantly impact how quickly tasks are performed.
Examples:
Receiving sensor data from IoT devices.
Manually entering sales data into a CRM.
Business Perspective:
This is the repository function where data is securely stored and indexed for future reference. Effective storage solutions are critical for data retrieval and in complying with data retention policies.
Examples:
Cloud storage solutions for scalability.
On-premise databases for sensitive information.
Business Perspective:
At this stage, algorithms and business rules are applied to the stored data to generate actionable insights. Effective processing is essential for timely decision-making and can be a competitive advantage.
Examples:
Data analytics engines that process large datasets to generate business reports.
Automated workflows that validate and approve expense submissions.
Business Perspective:
Here, the processed data is presented in a format that can be easily understood and acted upon. The output can be customized based on the needs of different stakeholders within the business.
Examples:
Dashboards showing real-time key performance indicators (KPIs).
Financial reports generated at the end of a fiscal period.
Business Perspective:
This function ensures that the information system can adapt and evolve. By analyzing the output and the process metrics, the system can be calibrated for better accuracy and efficiency.
Examples:
User feedback integrated into software updates.
Automated alerts for system administrators regarding performance bottlenecks or security incidents.
From input to feedback loop, each function serves a specific role that collectively makes the information system an indispensable asset for modern IT businesses. Ensuring each function performs optimally is key to maximizing business value.