Investigation of Information Systems

Investigation of Information Systems

1. Definition of an Information System:

An Information System is a combination of hardware, software, people,

procedures and data that provides data processing capabilities for a

business or organization.

More sophisticated information systems provide the decision makers in

a business (eg. the executives or managers) with on-demand reports and

inquiry capabilities as well as routine periodic reports.

2. Capabilities of Information Systems:

All information systems have four essential capabilities:

Input

Processing

Storage

Output

i. Input can come from:

a. Source data such as recording a transaction or an event (eg. a

bank deposit slip or order form).

b. an Inquiry, which is a request for information (eg. list this

week's sales above $3000)

c. a Response to a prompt (eg. a Y or a N)

d. an Instruction (eg. "Print File", "Save File")

e. a Message to another user on the system (g. intranet mail)

f. a Change (eg. editing a record)

ii. Processing capabilities include:

a. Sorting data (eg. sorting a customer file alphabetically)

d. Retrieving, recording and updating data in storage (eg. a

customer record)

e. Summarizing processes (eg. totals and subtotals)

f. Selecting processes (eg. select employees that have been

employed for more than 5 years)

g. Manipulating processes (eg. performing arithmetic calculations

and logic operations).

iii. Storage capabilities enable data, text, graphics, voice, sound,

music, and other digital information to be recalled easily for

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...e defined as the ability of a computer to reason, to learn, to

strive for self-improvement, and to simulate human sensory

capabilities.

The knowledge base they rely on is the accumulation of knowledge of a

number of experts (the domain expert) on the particular subject.

Coupled with an expert system shell, which is the software used to

interrogate the knowledge base, the knowledge base can be put to work

logically recommending alternatives to current problems.

Expert systems have been developed for subjects such as medical

diagnosis, oil exploration, financial planning, taxation return

preparation, chemical analysis, surgery, weather prediction, computer

repair, nuclear power plant operation, newspaper layout, interpreting

government regulation, and troubleshooting computer systems

configurations (eg. MS Help).