1.

People Resources

People are required for the operation of all information systems. These people resources include
end users and IS specialists.

 End users (also called users or clients) are people who use an information system or the
information it produces. They can be accountants, salespersons, engineers, clerks, customers, or
managers. Most of us are information system end users.
 IS Specialists are people who develop and operate information systems. They include
systems analysts, programmers, computer operators, and other managerial technical, and clerical
IS personnel. Briefly, systems analysts design information systems based on the information
requirements of end uses, programmers prepare computer programs based on the specifications
of systems analysts, and computer operators operate large computer systems.

2. Hardware Resources

The concept of Hardware resources includes all physical devices and materials used in
information processing. Specially, it includes not only machines, such as computers and other
equipment, but also all data media, that is, all tangible objects on which data is recorded, from
sheets of paper to magnetic disks. Example of hardware in computer-based information systems
are:

 Computer systems, which consist of central processing units containing microprocessors,

and variety of interconnected peripheral devices. Examples are microcomputer systems,
midrange computer systems, and large mainframe computer systems.
 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

The concept of Software Resources includes all sets of information processing instructions. This
generic concept of software includes not only the sets of operating instructions called programs,
which direct and control computer hardware, but also the sets of information processing
instructions needed by people, called procedures.

It is important to understand that even information systems that don’t use computers have a
software resource component. This is true even for the information systems of ancient times, or
the manual and machine-supported information systems still used in the world today. They all
require software resources in the form of information processing instructions and procedures in
order to properly capture, process, and disseminate information to their users.

The following are the examples of software resources:

 System Software, such as an operating system program, which con controls and supports
the operations of a computer system.
 Application Software, which are programs that direct processing for a particular use of
computers by end users. Examples are a sales analysis program, a payroll program, and a work
processing program.
 Procedures, which are operating instructions for the people who will use an information
system. Examples are instructions for filling out a paper form or using a software package.

4. Data Resources

Data is more than the raw material of information systems. The concept of data resources has
been broadened by managers and information systems professionals. They realize that data
constitutes a valuable organization resource. Thus, you should view data as data resources that
must be managed effectively to benefit all end users in an organization.

Data can take many forms, including traditional alphanumeric data, composed of numbers and
alphabetical and other characters that describe business transactions and other events and
entities. Text data, consisting of sentences and paragraphs used in written communications;
image data, such as graphic shapes and figures; and audio data, the human voice and other
sounds, are also important forms of data.

The data resources of information systems are typically organized into:

 Database that hold processed and organized data.

 Knowledge bases that hold knowledge in variety of forms such as facts, rules, and case
examples about successful business practices.

For example, data about sales transactions may be accumulated and stored in a sales database for
subsequent processing that yields daily, weekly, and monthly sales analysis reports for
management. Knowledge bases are used by knowledge management systems and expert systems
to share knowledge and give expert advice on specific subjects.

Data Vs Information: The word data is the plural of datum, though data commonly represents
both singular and plural forms. Data are raw facts or observations, typically about physical
phenomena or business transactions. For example, a spacecraft launch or the sale of an
automobile would generate a lot of data describing those events. More specifically, data are
objective measurements of the attributes (the characteristics) of entities (such as people, places,
things, and events).

Example: A spacecraft launch generates vast amounts of data. Electronic transmissions of data
(telemetry) form thousands of sensors are converted to numeric and text data by computers.
Voice and image data are also captured through video and radio monitoring of the launch by
mission controllers. Of course, buying a car or an airline ticket also produces a lot of data. Just
think of the hundreds of facts needed to describe the characteristics of the car you want and its
financing, or the details for even the simplest airline reservation.

Peoples often use the terms data and information interchangeably. However, it is better to view
data as raw material resources that are processed into finished information products. Then we
can define information as data that have been converted into a meaningful and useful context for
specific end users. Thus, data are usually subjected to a value-added process (we call data
processing or information processing) where (1) its form is aggregated, manipulated, and
organized; (2) its content is analyzed and view information as processed data placed in a context
for human user. So you should view information as processed data placed in a context that gives
it value for specific end users.

Example: Names, quantities, and dollar amounts recorded on sales forms represent data about
sales transactions. However, a sales manager may not regard these as information. Only after
such facts are properly organized and manipulated can meaningful sales information be
furnished, specifying, for example, the amount of sales by product type, sales territory, or sales
persons.

5. Network Resources

Telecommunications networks like the Internet, intranets, and extranets have become essential to
the successful 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:

 Communication media, Examples include twisted pair wire, coaxial cable, fiber-optic
cable, microwave systems, and communication satellite systems.
 Network Support, This generic category includes all of the people, hardware, software,
and data resources that directly support the operation and use of a communications network.
Examples include communications control software such as network operating systems and
Internet packages.