Information System

An information system, therefore, can be defined as set of coordinated network of components

which act together towards producing, distributing and or processing information. An important
factor of computer based information system is precision, which may not apply to other types of
systems.
System
In a system, network of components work towards a single objective, if there is lack of co-ordination
among components, it leads to counterproductive results. A system may have following features:
 Adaptability: some systems are adaptive to the exterior environment, while some systems
are non-adaptive to the external environment. For example, anti-lock braking system in car
reacts depending on the road conditions, where as the music system in the car is
independent of other happening with the car.
 Limitation: every system has pre-defined limits or boundaries within which it operates. This
limits or boundaries can be defined by law or current state of technology.
Information
Common definition of information is data. However, data is no true information. Data gets its
meaning and significance if only it is information. Information is represented with data, symbols and
letters.
Information has following properties:
 Objective: One of the key properties of information is its objectiveness. Objective
information is a key component of any modern scientific research.
 Subjective: Set of information which is useful to science may be abstract or irrelevant for
others. Therefore, information is subjective also.
 Temporary: Information is temporary with every update in the database.
Representation of Information
Information is represented with help of data, numbers, letters or symbols. Information is perceived
in a way it gets represented. Decimal system and binary system are two ways of representing
information. The binary circuits of computers are designed to operate under two states (0,1).

Organization of Information
The way in which information is organized directly affect the way the information is managed and
retrieved.
The simplest way of organizing information is through linear model. In this form, data is structured
one after another, for example, in magnetic tapes, music tapes, etc.
 In a binary tree model, data is arranged in an inverted tree format where it assumes two
values.
 The hierarchy model is derived from a binary tree model. In this model, branch can assume
multi-value data, for example in the UNIX operating system this model is used for its file
system.
 The hypertext model is another way of organizing information; World Wide Web is an
example of this model.
 Random access model is another way of organizing information. This model is used for
optimum utilization of available computer storage space. Here data is stored in specified
location under direction of the operating system.
Networking Information
Information is networked through network topology. The layout of all the connected devices, and it
provides virtual shape or structure to the network is known as network topology. The physical
structure may not be representative of network topology. The basic types of topology are bus, ring,
star, tree and mesh.
The above topologies are constructed and managed with help of Hubs, Switches, Bridges, Routers,
Brouters and Gateways.
Securing Information
Security of information as well as an information system is critical. Data back-up is on the way
through which Information can be made secured. Security management for network and
information system is distinct for different setup like home, small business, medium business, large
business, school and government.

Classification of Information System

In any given organization information system can be classified based on the usage of the
information. Therefore, an information system in an organization can be divided into operations
support system and management support system.
 Operations support system
In an organization, data input is done by the end user which is processed to generate information
products i.e. reports, which are utilized by internal and or external users. Such a system is called
operation support system.
The purpose of the operation support system is to facilitate business transaction, control production,
support internal as well as external communication and update organization central database. The
operation support system is further divided into a transaction-processing system, processing control
system and enterprise collaboration system.
 Transaction Processing System (TPS)
In manufacturing organization, there are several types of transaction across department. Typical
organizational departments are Sales, Account, Finance, Plant, Engineering, Human Resource and
Marketing. Across which following transaction may occur sales order, sales return, cash receipts,
credit sales; credit slips, material accounting, inventory management, depreciation accounting, etc.
These transactions can be categorized into batch transaction processing, single transaction
processing and real time transaction processing.
 Process Control System
In a manufacturing organization, certain decisions are made by a computer system without any
manual intervention. In this type of system, critical information is fed to the system on a real-time
basis thereby enabling process control. This kind of systems is referred as process control systems.
 Enterprise Collaboration System
In recent times, there is more stress on team effort or collaboration across different functional
teams. A system which enables collaborative effort by improving communication and sharing of data
is referred to as an enterprise collaboration system.
 Management Support System
Managers require precise information in a specific format to undertake an organizational decision. A
system which facilitates an efficient decision making process for managers is called management
support system.
Management support systems are essentially categorized as management information system,
decision support system, expert system and accounting information system.

Comparison of Information System and Information Technology

Information system and information technology are similar in many ways but at the same time they
are different. Following are some aspects about information system as well as information
technology.
 Origin: Information systems have been in existence since pre-mechanical era in form of
books, drawings, etc. However, the origin of information technology is mostly associated
with invention of computers.
 Development: Information systems have undergone great deal of evolution, i.e. from
manual record keeping to the current cloud storage system. Similarly, information
technology is seeing constant changes with evermore faster processor and constantly
shrinking size of storage devices.
  Business Application: Businesses have been using information systems for example in form
of manual books of accounts to modern TALLY. The mode of communication has also gone
under big change, for example, from a letter to email. Information technology has helped
drive efficiency across organization with improved productivity and precision manufacturing.
Future of Information System and Information Technology
Information technology has shown exponential growth in the last decade, leading to more
sophisticated information systems. Today’s information technology has tremendously improved
quality of life. Modern medicine has benefited the most with better information system using the
latest information technology.
Information systems have been known to mankind in one form or the other as a resource for
decision making. However, with the advent of information technology information systems have
become sophisticated, and their usage proliferated across all walks of life. Information technology
has helped managed large amount of data into useful and valuable information.

Groupware
Groupware is a technology which provides support for work in a group. This technology is referred
to as collaborative technology. This technology facilitates communication, cooperation,
coordination, problem-solving and in negotiations among internal as well as with the external work
group. Compared to earlier telephony systems, modern information systems use computer networks
such as the internet, email, etc. to achieve collaboration.

Groupware is primarily divided into two sub systems synchronous and asynchronous. In synchronous
groupware; interaction between users is at real time where as in asynchronous groupware
interaction between users is at a different time.
Groupware is essential of all modern organizations. Groupware has a definite advantage over stand
alone user.

Some examples of groupware are as follows:

 Newsgroup and mailing list: This groupware looks at collaboration beyond on 1on1
communication. It enables faster flow of information across organization.
 Workflow systems: This groupware allows smooth flow of documents and information
across organization. For example, monthly time card, once entered by the employee is
routed to the employee’s manager for approval, after manager’s approval time card is sent
to the payroll department for monthly salary processing.
 Hypertext: This groupware system is used to link several documents on the web.
 Group Calendars: This groupware is essential part of the project management system. It
provides information of project status, scheduling conflicts, etc.
 Shared Whiteboards: This groupware allows user located at different location access to a
common whiteboard. Whiteboards are commonly used in informal conversation and brain
storming session.
 Information systems concepts play an important part in today’s work environment.
Collaboration and innovation are the mantra of success for today’s organization.

Trends in the information technology are as follows:

1. Cloud Computing
One of the most talked about concept in information technology is the cloud computing. Clouding
computing is defined as utilization of computing services, i.e. software as well as hardware as a
service over a network. Typically, this network is the internet.
Cloud computing offers 3 types of broad services mainly Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform
as a Service (PaaS) and Software as a Service (SaaS).
Some of the benefit of cloud computing is as follows:
 Cloud computing reduces IT infrastructure cost of the company.
 Cloud computing promotes the concept of virtualization, which enables server and
storage device to be utilized across organization.
 Cloud computing makes maintenance of software and hardware easier as
installation is not required on each end user’s computer.
Some issues concerning cloud computing are privacy, compliance, security, legal, abuse, IT
governance, etc.
2. Mobile Application
Another emerging trend within information technology is mobile applications (software application
on Smart phone, tablet, etc.)
Mobile application or mobile app has become a success since its introduction. They are designed to
run on Smartphone, tablets and other mobile devices. They are available as a download from various
mobile operating systems like Apple, Blackberry, Nokia, etc. Some of the mobile app are available
free where as some involve download cost. The revenue collected is shared between app distributor
and app developer.
3. User Interfaces
User interface has undergone a revolution since introduction of touch screen. The touch screen
capability has revolutionized way end users interact with application. Touch screen enables the user
to directly interact with what is displayed and also removes any intermediate hand-held device like
the mouse.
Touch screen capability is utilized in smart phones, tablet, information kiosks and other information
appliances.
4. Analytics
The field of analytics has grown many folds in recent years. Analytics is a process which helps in
discovering the informational patterns with data. The field of analytics is a combination of statistics,
computer programming and operations research.
The field of analytics has shown growth in the field of data analytics, predictive analytics and social
analytics.
Data analytics is tool used to support decision-making process. It converts raw data into meaningful
information.
Predictive analytics is tool used to predict future events based on current and historical information.
Social media analytics is tool used by companies to understand and accommodate customer needs.

Innovation and Information Technology

The last two decades of development and evolution in information technology is around six
functions. The innovation driven by information technology has been the by-product of the six
functions. Some of the significant development which has been achieved is as follows:
 Portability: advances in information technology have made portability of all electronic
gadgets possible.
 Speed: computing is now done at speed at which earlier generations of super computer
were working.
 Miniaturization: another innovation is in form of hand-held computing devices as well as an
information system, like GPS, Smartphone, IPad etc.
 Connectivity: information technology has transformed communication capability.
 Entertainment: proliferation of multimedia and digital information has been tremendous.
 User Interface: advancement in information technology has changed way users interact with
computing devices. The advent of touch screen has made computing intuitive and
interactive.