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1 Information Systems Information Systems Why Do People Need Information? Individuals - Entertainment and enlightenment Businesses - Decision making, problem solving and control
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Page 1: Why MIS

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Information SystemsInformation Systems

Why Do People Need Information?

Individuals - Entertainment and enlightenment

Businesses - Decision making, problem solving and control

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Data, Information, Data, Information, and Systemsand Systems

Data vs. Information

Data A “given,” or fact; a number, a statement, or a picture Represents something in the real world The raw materials in the production of information

Information Data that have meaning within a context Data in relationships Data after manipulation

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Data, Information,Data, Information,and Systemsand Systems

Data Manipulation

Example: customer survey Reading through data collected from a customer survey with

questions in various categories would be time-consuming and not very helpful.

When manipulated, the surveys may provide useful information.

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Data, Information,Data, Information,and Systemsand Systems

Generating Information Computer-based ISs take data as raw material, process it, and

produce information as output.

Figure 1.1 Input-process-output

Page 5: Why MIS

5Figure 1.2 Characteristics of useful information

Data, Information,Data, Information,and Systemsand Systems

Information in Context

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Data, Information, Data, Information, and Systemsand Systems

What Is a System? System: A set of components that work together to achieve a

common goal

Subsystem: One part of a system where the products of more than one system are combined to reach an ultimate goal

Closed system: Stand-alone system that has no contact with other systems

Open system: System that interfaces with other systems

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Data, Information,Data, Information,and Systemsand Systems

Figure 1.3 Several subsystems make up this corporate accounting system.

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Data, Information,Data, Information,and Systemsand Systems

Information and Managers

Systems thinking Creates a framework for problem solving and decision

making. Keeps managers focused on overall goals and operations of

business.

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Data, Information,Data, Information,and Systemsand Systems

Figure 1.5 Qualities of humans and computers that contribute to synergy

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Data, Information,Data, Information,and Systemsand Systems

The Benefits of Human-Computer Synergy

Synergy When combined resources produce output that exceeds the

sum of the outputs of the same resources employed separately

Allows human thought to be translated into efficient processing of large amounts of data

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Data, Information,Data, Information,and Systemsand Systems

Figure 1.6 Components of an information system

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Data, Information, Data, Information, and Systemsand Systems

The Four Stages of Data Processing

Input: Data is collected and entered into computer.

Data processing: Data is manipulated into information using mathematical, statistical, and other tools.

Output: Information is displayed or presented.

Storage: Data and information are maintained for later use.

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Why Study IS?Why Study IS?

Information Systems Careers Systems analyst, specialist in enterprise resource planning (ERP),

database administrator, telecommunications specialist, consulting, etc.

Knowledge Workers Managers and non-managers Employers seek computer-literate professionals who know how to use

information technology.

Computer Literacy Replacing Traditional Literacy Key to full participation in western society

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Ethical and Societal IssuesEthical and Societal IssuesThe Not-So-Bright SideThe Not-So-Bright Side

Consumer Privacy Organizations collect (and sometimes sell) huge

amounts of data on individuals.

Employee Privacy IT supports remote monitoring of employees, violating

privacy and creating stress.

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Ethical and Societal IssuesEthical and Societal IssuesThe Not-So-Bright SideThe Not-So-Bright Side

Freedom of Speech IT increases opportunities for pornography, hate speech, intellectual

property crime, an d other intrusions; prevention may abridge free speech.

IT Professionalism No mandatory or enforced code of ethics for IT professionals--unlike

other professions.

Social Inequality Less than 20% of the world’s population have ever used a PC; less than

3% have Internet access.

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Management of ISManagement of IS

How do business organize themselves to manage IS and IT activities? Depends upon the type of technology Depends upon the size of the business

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What Needs to be Managed?What Needs to be Managed?

Procurement activities Of hardware, software and services

Deployment or implementation activities How do we get this stuff working within the business?

Maintenance Keeping everything running as the business evolves Hardware, software, databases, web presence

Protection Backup and continuity planning Security and audits Disaster response

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Organizational ObjectivesOrganizational Objectives

Cost effectiveness Firms that spend too much on IT become uncompetitive

Responsiveness Is IT organization able to respond quickly and appropriately to business

needs?

Quality and Effectiveness Is the IT organization competent? Do they get the job done?

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Organizational ModelsOrganizational Models

Informal Very small organizations don’t have any formal IT function – “a guy”

Formal Organizations have from 1 to thousand’s of employees dedicated to IT

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Formal Organization ModelsFormal Organization Models

Decentralized IT employees report to business unit or department, not to a central,

corporate organization

Centralized Employees report to a central organization

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Pros and Cons of DecentralizationPros and Cons of Decentralization

Advantages Responsiveness to local business unit

Close proximity = easy communication Little bureaucracy Familiarity with business Feeling of ownership and belonging

Disadvantages Will tend to be reactive rather than strategic Small size will make skill development and training more difficult Lack of management expertise and professionalism Will result in less efficiency for entire enterprise

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Pros and Cons of CentralizationPros and Cons of Centralization

Advantages Cost savings through standardization Procurement cost savings due to volume Training efficiencies Greater career opportunities with enhance attractiveness as a place to work

Disadvantages Slow and bureaucratic (perceived to be) Out of touch with real business Cost accounting and charge back requirements

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Current Large Business TrendsCurrent Large Business Trends

Centralize and standardize procurement All hardware Most software

Centralize web management and standards But perhaps not development

Centralize management of support of office systems Dual reporting for business application development

Corporate and business unit

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Careers in MISCareers in MIS

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What is Management Information What is Management Information Systems (MIS)?Systems (MIS)?

What is MIS, based on what you’ve learned so far? Definition by the Association for Information Systems:

“The use of information technology to improve organizational performance and individual quality of work life”

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What do MIS people do?What do MIS people do? Database administrator and data analyst Computer programmer Webmaster Senior technical executive Business technologist Electronic commerce expert Data security manager Internet applications engineer Help Desk support Software engineer Information systems business consultant Entrepreneur Technical sales person

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Who hires MIS people?Who hires MIS people?

Information technology consulting firms Information technology units throughout the private and

public sectors Everyone needs MIS!

Self-employed

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Careers In Information SystemsCareers In Information Systems

Software Development Business or C.S. background

Database Administration Systems Analysis

Design business solutions Project and program managers

Understand technology Manage people, decisions, contracts, schedules