Q) Define the terms Data and Information.

A) Data: is a representation of facts, concepts or instruction in a formalized manner suitable for communication, interpretation or processing by human or automated means.
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.
Data are raw facts or observations, typically about physical phenomena

or business transactions. Information can be defined as data that have been converted into a meaningful and useful context for specific end users.
Information is organized data which is understood to have significance

and meaning. Information can be viewed as processed data placed in a context that gives it value for specific end users.

Q. What is an Information system? Explain.

A. An information system can be any organized combination of people, hardware, software, communications networks and data resources that collects transforms and disseminates information in an organization. The information system model expresses a fundamental conceptual frame work for the major components and activities of information systems.

The information system model highlights the relationship among the components and activities of information systems. It provides a framework that emphasizes 4 major concepts that can be applied to all types of IS:
People, hardware, software, data, and networks are the 5 basic resources

of IS.
People resources include end users and are specialists between resources

consist of machines and media, data resource can include communications media and networks and s/w resources include programs and procedure. Data resources are transformed by information processing activities into a variety of information products for users.
Information processing consists of the system activities of input,

processing, output, storage and control. Q. Explain five major IS resources. A. Information system consists of five major resources:
People resources :

People are required for the operation of all information systems. The people resource includes end users and IS specialists. 1. End users are people who use an information systems or information it produces.
2. IS specialists are people who develop and operate information

systems.

 Hardware Resources:

They include all physical devices and materials used in information processes. It includes not only machines such as computers and other devices but also media that is tangible objects on which data are recorded, from sheet of paper to magnetic or optical disks.
Software Resources:

They include all sets information processing instructions. They not only include set of operating instructions called programs which direct and control computer b/w but also set of information processing instruction called procedures that people need. Example of software resources: (a) System software (b) Application software (c) Procedures
Data Resources:

Data constitute valuable organizational resources. Thus data should be viewed as data resources that must be managed effectively to benefit all end users in an organization. The data resources of information system are typically organized, stored and accessed by a variety of data resource management technologies into: -Data bases that hold processed and organized data.

- Knowledge bases that hold knowledge in a variety of forms such as rules and case example about successful business practices.

Network Resources:

The concept of network resources emphasizes that communication technologies and network are a fundamental resource component of all information systems: Network resources include 1. Communication media. 2. Network support.

Q. Explain 3 major roles of information system with a pyramidal diagram. A. There are 3 vital roles that information systems can perform a business enterprise: (a) Support business operations and processes. (b) Support business decision making. (c) Support strategies for competitive advantage.

The 3 major roles can be well explained by taking a retail store as an example (a) Support business operations and processes: As consumers, we have to deal regularly with the information systems that support the business processes and operations at many retail stores .Hence many retail stores now use computers based IS to keep track of purchase,inventory,employees pay etc. (b) Support business decision making. IS helps stores mangers and other business professionals make better decisions and attempt to gain a competitive advantage

Example: Decision on what lines of merchandise need to be added or discounted, or what kind of investment is required are typically made after an analysis provided by the computer based IS. (c) Support strategies for competitive advantage: Gaining a strategic edge over competitors requires innovative application of information theologies. Example: store management might decide to install touch screen kiosks in all their stores with links to their ecommerce web site for on line shopping. Thus strategic IS can help provide products and services that give a business a competitive advantage over its competitors. Q. Define Management Information system. A. A management information system is an integrated user machine system providing information to support the operations, manage analysis and decision making functions organization. The system utilizes. (a) Computer hardware and software. (b) Manual procedures. (c) Models for analysis, planning, control and decision making. (d) A data base.

Q.How can a firm attain competitive advantage by having MIS. A. Having MIS helps a firm attains a competitive advantage because of the following reasons: MIS is an integrated user machine system.
It provides information to support the operations, management,

analysis and decision making functions in an organization. It concentrates on using computer-based IS.
It uses people b/w, s/w, data and n/w to perform input, output,

processing, and storage and control activities.

technologies for enabling e-business and e-commerce that in turn provide competitive advantage. E-business/e-commerce helps a firm to develop its business values by making customer value its strategic focus. MIS helps in re-engineering business operations by enabling radical changes to business processes.
MIS helps improve the quality; efficiency and effectiveness of

business professionals make better decisions and attempts to gain competitive advantage.
It use IT to help a firm becomes an agile company that can

quickly respond to the changes in its environment. It also helps in enterprise collaboration among business teams and work groups.

Q. What are the strategic roles of IS. A. There are 5 basic competitive strategic.
Cost leadership Strategy:

Becoming a low cost producer of produce and services in the industry, or finding way to help its suppliers or customers reduce the costs or to increase the costs of their competitors. Differentiation Strategy: Developing ways to differentiate a firm products and services from its competitors or reduce the differentiation advantage of competitive.
Innovation Strategy:

Finding new ways of doing business. This may involve the development of unique products and services, or entry into unique markets or market niches. It may also involve making radical changes to the business processes that they alter the fundamental structure of industry.
Growth Strategy:

Significantly expanding a companys capacity to produces goods and services, expanding into global markets, diversifying into new products and services, or integrating into related products and services.
Alliance Strategy:

Establishing new business linkages and alliances with customers, suppliers, competitors, consultants and other companies. These linkages may include mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures etc.