MANAGE INFORMATION RESOURCES

IS RESOURCES
Information Resource Management (IRM) is a broad term in IT that refers to the management of
records or information or data sets as a resource. This can relate to both business or government
goals and objectives.
Resource management is important because it enables utilization planning, it provides you with
an overview of everyone and everything and it makes planning and management transparent.
The basic IS model shows that an information system consists of five major resources:
• People resources
• Hardware resources
• Software resources
• Data resources
• Network resources
1. People Resources:
People resources include endusers and IS specialist.They are required for the operation of all
information systems.
a) End Users (also called users or clients) are people who use an information system or the
information it produces. Most of us are information system end users. And most end
users in business are knowledge workers, that is, people who spend most of their time
communicating and collaborating in teams of workgroups and creating, using, and
distributing information.
b) IS Specialists are people who develop and operate information systems. They include
system analysts, software developers, system operators, and other managerial, technical,
and clerical IS personnel.
 Systems analysts – design information systems based on the information requirements of
end users.
 Software developers – create computer programs based on the specifications of systems
analysts.
 System operators – monitor and operate large computer systems and networks.
2. Hardware Resources:
Hardware resources include all physical devices and materials used in information processing.
• Machines- physical devices (computers, peripherals, telecommunications networks, etc.)
• Media - all tangible objects on which data are recorded (paper, magnetic disks etc.)
Examples of hardware in computer-based information systems are:
• Computer Systems – which consist of central processing units containing microprocessors, and
a variety of interconnected peripheral devices.
• Computer peripherals – which are devices such as a keyboard or electronic mouse for input of
data and commands, a video screen or printer for output of information, and magnetic or optical
disks for storage of data resources.
3. Software Resources:
Software resources include all sets of information processing instructions.
• Program - a set of instructions that causes a computer to perform a particular task.
• Procedures - set of instructions used by people to complete a task.
Examples of software resources are:
• System software – such as an operating system program, that controls and supports the
operations of a computer system.
• Application software– are programs that direct processing for a particular use of computers by
end users.
• Procedures– are operating instructions for the people who will use an information system.
4. Data Resources:
Data constitutes a valuable organizational resource. Thus, data resources must be managed
effectively to benefit all end users in an organization. The data resources of information systems
are typically organized into:
• Databases - a collection of logically related records or files. A database consolidates many
records previously stored in separate files so that a common pool of data records serves many
applications.
• Knowledge Bases - which hold knowledge in a variety of forms such as facts and rules of
inference about valuable subjects Data versus Information. The word data is the plural of datum,
though data is commonly used to represent both singular and plural forms. The term’s data and
information are often used interchangeably. However, you should make the following
distinction:
Data: - are raw facts or observations, typically about physical phenomena or business
transactions. More specifically, data are objective measurements of the attributes (characteristics)
of entities, such as people, places, things, and events.
Information: - is processed data, which has been placed in a meaningful and useful context for an
end user. Data is subjected to a “value-added” process (data processing or information
processing) where:
• Its form is aggregated, manipulated, and organized.
• Its content is analyzed and evaluated
• It is placed in a proper context for a human user
5. Network Resources:
Telecommunications networks like the Internet, intranets, and extranets have become essential to
the successful electronic business and commerce operations of all types of organizations and
their computer-based information systems. Telecommunications networks consist of computers,
communications processors, and other devices interconnected by communications media and
controlled by communications software. The concept of network resources emphasizes that
communications networks are a fundamental resource component of all information
systems. Network resources include:
• Communications media (twisted-pair wire, coaxial cable, fiber-optic cable, and microwave,
cellular, and satellite wireless systems.
• Network support (people, hardware, software, and data resources that directly support the
operation and use of a communications network).
INFORMATION SYSTEM ACTIVITIES
Information processing (or data processing) activities that occur in information system include
the following:
• Input of data resources
• Processing of data into information
• Output of information products
• Storage of data resources
• Control of system performance
Input of Data Resources:
Data about business transactions and other events must be captured and prepared for processing
by the input activity. Input typically takes the form of data entry activities such as recording and
editing.
• Once entered, data may be transferred onto a machine-readable medium such as magnetic
disk or type, until needed for processing.
Processing of Data into Information:
• Data is typically subjected to processing activities such as calculating, comparing, sorting,
classifying, and summarizing. These activities organize, analyze, and manipulate data, thus
converting them into information for end users.
• A continual process of correcting and updating activities must maintain quality of data stored
in an information system.
Output of Information Products:
• Information in various forms is transmitted to end-users and made available to them in the
output activity.
The goal of information systems is the production of appropriate information products for end
users.
Storage of Data Resources:
Storage is a basic system component of information systems
Storage is the information system activity in which data and information are retained in an
organized manner for later use.
Control of System Performance:
An important information system activity is the control of its performance.
• An information system should produce feedback about its input, processing, output, and storage
activities.
• Feedback must be monitored and evaluated to determine if the system is meeting established
performance standards.
• Feedback is used to make adjustments to system activities to correct deficiencies.