Data Bases • Custom Term Papers • Free Term Papers • Free Research Papers • Free Essays • Free Book Reports • Plagiarism? Links • Top 100 Term Paper Sites • Top 25 Essay Sites • Top 50 Essay Sites • Search 97,000 Papers @ DirectEssays.com • Search 101,000 Papers @ ExampleEssays.com • Search 90,000 Papers @ MegaEssays.com Free Essays • Term Paper Sites • Chuck III's Free Essays • Free College Essays • TermPaperSites.com • My Term Papers • Get Free Essays • Essay World • Planet Papers	Search Lots of Essays Back to Subjects - Computers information systems and services information systems and services Components of an Information System: Hardware – There are three types of hardware technology - mainframes, minicomputers and microcomputers. Mainframes – The mainframe computer is a very powerful machine designed for large-scale data processing activities. These computers have steadily declined over the last 20 years due to their size, cost of operation and maintenance. Minicomputers – The minicomputer is often referred to as a server. It has the ability to offer networking, speed and power. These computers can be programmed and are much more interactive as well as more user friendly. Although they are still expensive (though not as expensive as the mainframe) they are upgradeable. Microcomputers – The microcomputer is commonly known as the PC (personal computer). It is most commonly used as a desktop computer intended for office or home use. These machines can be placed in fixed locations and connected to peripherals such as printers, scanners etc. The microcomputer is easily upgraded, fairly cheap to upgrade-repair and components can be easily fitted or removed. Software – The most common piece of software associated with an information system is a database. Information is accessed through a database management system, which is defined as one or more computer programs that will allow the user to enter, store, organise, manipulate and retrieve data from the database. Data - Data is derived from both internal and external sources and whilst most external data is readily usable and concrete forms e.g. Bank statements, purchase invoices etc. Data is a routine by product of some routine essential operation such as the production of an invoice or alternatively a special counting. Data are facts obtained by reading, observing, counting and measuring, which are then recorded. Personnel – Information systems personnel usually work in their own department (I.S. Department), which employs computer programmers, systems analysts, computer operators etc. They may also work in other functional departments or areas in a support capacity. The skills required by these personnel will include technical skills, written and verbal communication skills, an understanding of the organisation that they work for and the ability to work with other people. The information systems department has three primary responsibilities: Operations – Responsible for the running and maintenance of the I.S. equipment such as mainframe systems, networks, disk drives, printers etc. Data entry operators convert data into a form that the computer can understand and they use terminals or other devices to enter the data (patrol, sales orders, business transactions etc.). Systems Development – Responsible for specific development projects, the ongoing maintenance of the project and its reviewing. Systems analysts and programmers usually fall into this category. Support – Responsible for providing user assistance in hardware and software acquisitions, data administrations, user training and assistance. These personnel set the guidelines and standards for the rest of the organisation. An important part of the support teams job is to gain, maintain and understand available technologies along with developing good relationships with suppliers. Support will usually run the information centre of the organisation, providing users with assistance, training, application development, documentation, equipment selection and setup, standards, technical assistance and troubleshooting. Chief Information Officer – It is the CIO’s job to employ an I.S. department’s personnel and equipment which will meet the needs of the organisations. They will be responsible for organisational wide policies, planning, management and acquisitions of information systems. Manual Procedures – All information systems require procedures to run applications and handle problems if they should occur. These policies will be captured during the procedure design process. Once designed these procedures can be described e.g. the steps to add a new customer account may involve a series of both computerised and manual tasks. Procedures should be documented for the control of the information system e.g. how the application should run as well as what is to be done to minimise the potential for crime and fraud. These specifications include procedures for auditing, backup and output distribution methods. A procedures manual, which is easy to understand by all and informs each employee as to their specific job requirements, should be made readily available. Documentation – This is a very important part of any organisation’s I.S., especially the server documentation in the case that there is some kind of disaster and the system has to be rebuilt. Because electronic documentation can be lost if the server goes down it is a good idea to have a hard copy as well as backup offsite. Other information such as serial numbers of software and hardware installed in the server should be documented. Content – A general statement of the type of data, which makes up the information. This could include a list of the individual data items such as name, address etc. the information should contain the correct level of detail in order to meet the recipients information needs. Format – The format of the information is basically the way in which the information is presented with different methods that makes it easier to understand and more accessible. The information could be in the form of pie or bar charts, graphs, balance sheets etc. just which ever is more appropriate to the recipients needs. Location – This indicates whether the information is stored internally or in an external location. Cost – There are different areas of cost in obtaining information such as: Time spent accessing the information at a certain location, costs incurred by purchasing the information from specialist providers of information, stationary costs, payment to employees for handling the information etc. Ownership – Ownership is usually internal, shared or external and is usually dependant on location. Value – Information has different classes of value, it can be high, medium or low depending on: exclusiveness, how current, accuracy, relevance, completeness, time period, use etc. Availability – Information can be classed as being immediately available or delayed. The information should be available when needed. If it is supplied too late it will be of no use. It is also important that information is communicated through the correct channels so that it arrives at its destination clear and understood. INFORMATION FLOWS WITHIN THE SYSTEM. Internal - The internal flows of a system are the data or paper work that is sent internally to other departments within an organisation i.e. making and receiving orders, sending invoices and memos etc. It also helps the different departments to communicate effectively with each other. External - The external flows of information are to whom the organisation is accountable e.g. the government for taxes, suppliers for payment, shareholders for dividends, financial institutions for deposits or withdrawals etc. Electronic - The electronic flows within the system can be anything that requires technology to move data around e.g. e-mail, fax, network messages within a LAN or WAN, bar code scanners, swipe machines etc. Hardcopy - A hardcopy is any thing that is received which is paper based e.g. invoices, purchase order, statements and received faxes. Bibliography: Word Count: 1158
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