sysa21 Begrepplista för principles of business information systems

System

A set of elements or components that interact to accomplish goals.

Efficiency

A measure of what is produced divided by what is consumed.

Effectiveness

A measure of the extent to which a system achieves its goals.

Information System (IS)

A set of interrelated components that collect, manipulate, store, and disseminate information.

Input

The activity of gathering and capturing data.

Processing

Converting or transforming input into useful outputs.

Output

Production of useful information, often in the form of documents and reports.

Forecasting

Predicting future events.

Computer-Based Information System (CBIS)

A single set of hardware, software, databases, telecommunications, people, and procedures configured to process data into information.

Technology Infrastructure

All hardware, software, databases, telecommunications, people, and procedures configured to process data into information.

Hardware

Machinery that assists in the input, processing, storage, and output activities of an information system.

Software

Computer programs that govern the operation of the computer.

Database

An organized collection of electronic information.

Telecommunications

The electronic transmission of signals for communications.

Networks

Computers and equipment connected to enable electronic communications.

Internet

The world’s largest computer network, consisting of thousands of interconnected networks.

Cloud Computing

A computing environment where software and storage are provided as an Internet service.

Intranets

An internal company network built using Internet standards for information exchange.

Extranet

A network that allows selected outsiders to access authorized resources of a company’s intranet.

Procedures

Strategies, policies, methods, and rules for using a CBIS.

Transaction

Any business-related exchange.

Transaction Processing System (TPS)

An organized collection of people, procedures, software, databases, and devices used to record completed business transactions.

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System

Integrated programs managing a company’s vital business operations.

E-commerce

Any business transaction executed electronically.

Mobile Commerce (m-commerce)

Conducting business transactions electronically using mobile devices.

Electronic Business (e-business)

Using information systems and the Internet for business tasks.

Management Information System (MIS)

Provides routine information to managers and decision makers.

Decision Support System (DSS)

Supports problem-specific decision making.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

The ability of computer systems to mimic human intelligence.

Expert Systems

Systems that act like an expert in a particular field.

Knowledge Base

Stores all relevant information used by an expert system.

Virtual Reality

Simulation of a real or imagined environment experienced visually in three dimensions.

Systems Development

The activity of creating or modifying existing business systems.

Computer Literacy

Knowledge of computer systems and how they function.

Information Systems Literacy

Knowledge of how data and information are used by individuals and organizations.

Organization

A formal collection of people and resources established to accomplish goals.

Value Chain

A series of activities that includes logistics, production, marketing, and customer service.

Organizational Structure

Subunits and their relationships within an organization.

Traditional Organizational Structure

A hierarchical structure where decision-making flows from top to bottom.

Flat Organizational Structure

An organizational structure with fewer management layers.

Empowerment

Giving employees more responsibility and authority.

Project Organizational Structure

Centered on major products or services.

Team Organizational Structure

Centered on work teams or groups.

Virtual Organizational Structure

Employs individuals or groups in geographically dispersed areas.

Organizational Change

Necessary responses for organizations to handle change.

Outsourcing

Contracting with outside services to meet business needs.

On-Demand Computing

Contracting for computer resources to respond to varying workflow.

Downsizing

Reducing the number of employees to cut costs.

Organizational Learning

Adaptations to new conditions over time.

Reengineering

Radical redesign of business processes to achieve breakthroughs.

Continuous Improvement

Constantly seeking ways to improve business processes.

Technology Diffusion

Measure of how widely technology is spread throughout an organization.

Technology Infusion

Extent to which technology is integrated into an area.

Applications Portfolio

Classifying information systems by their contribution to the organization.

Support Applications

Applications that make work more convenient but are not essential.

Key Operational Applications

Essential applications for conducting business.

Strategic Application

Provides a competitive advantage.

Future Strategic Application

Ideas for systems that might become strategic applications.

Alignment

When an information system's output helps achieve strategic goals.

Requirements Engineering

Identifying what an information system is required to do.

Competitive Advantage

The ability to outperform an industry.

Five-Forces Model

Identifies five key factors for competitive advantage.

Strategic Alliances

Agreements between companies for joint production and distribution.

Productivity

Measure of output achieved divided by input required.

Return on Investment (ROI)

Measure of IS value as a percentage of investment.

Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)

Measurement of the total cost of owning computer equipment.

Local Area Network (LAN)

A network connecting devices within a small area.

Certification

Testing skills and knowledge for job capability.

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The part of the computer that performs calculations and controls operations.

Arithmetic/Logic Unit (ALU)

Part of the CPU that performs mathematical calculations.

Control Unit

Part of the CPU that coordinates data flow.

Registers

High-speed storage in the CPU for temporary data.

Primary Storage

Holds program instructions and data.

Instruction Time (i-time)

Time to fetch and decode instructions.

Execution Time (e-time)

Time to execute an instruction and store results.

Machine Cycle

Instruction phase followed by execution phase.

Pipelining

Performing multiple execution phases in a single machine cycle.

MIPS

Millions of instructions per second, a measure of machine cycle time.

Clock Speed

Rate of electronic pulses affecting machine cycle time.

Megahertz (MHz)

Millions of cycles per second, a measure of clock speed.

Gigahertz (GHz)

Billions of cycles per second, a measure of clock speed.

Moore’s Law

Hypothesis about the doubling of transistor densities on a chip.

Byte (B)

Eight bits representing a single character of data.

Random Access Memory (RAM)

Memory for temporarily storing instructions or data.

Read-Only Memory (ROM)

Nonvolatile memory.

Cache Memory

High-speed memory accessed more rapidly than main memory.

Multiprocessing

Simultaneous execution of multiple instructions.

Coprocessor

Speeds processing by executing specific instructions.

Multicore Microprocessor

Combines multiple processors into a single computer.

Parallel Computing

Simultaneous execution of the same task on multiple processors.

Massively Parallel Processing Systems

Links hundreds or thousands of processors to operate in parallel.

Bus

Connection between components within a computer.

Grid Computing

Coordinated use of multiple computers to solve a common problem.

Secondary Storage

Devices that store data more permanently than main memory.

Sequential Access

Retrieval method accessing data in the order stored.

Direct Access

Retrieval method accessing data without reading other data.

Sequential Access Storage Device (SASD)

Device for sequentially accessing secondary storage data.

Direct Access Storage Device (DASD)

Device for direct access of secondary storage data.

Magnetic Tape

A type of sequential secondary storage medium.

Magnetic Disc

A direct access storage device with magnetized areas.