BSNS 115 Information Systems Flashcards

What are the four methods organizations use to gain competitive advantage through information systems?

Operational excellence, developing new products and services, superb customer service, and high decision-making capabilities.

What is the role of information in an organization?

Information is considered an asset that can either speed up or slow down operations.

What is the 'digital flywheel' in a business model?

It is a strategy to entice customers to visit and stay, for example featuring a rewards program and personalized offers.

Why is understanding information systems important for individuals?

It leads to better career opportunities and a significant impact on society.

What is the definition of Information Technology?

Technology that can be used to deal with information, including storing, manipulating, and integrating it.

What do information systems manage?

They manage a particular kind of information, connecting people, organizations, and technology.

What is the relationship between information systems and flow diagrams?

Information systems are often represented using flow diagrams to illustrate the outcomes of certain decisions made by users.

How is information distinct from data?

Data is raw values lacking context, while information is data that has been contextualized and linked to a purpose.

What is the difference between fine-grained and coarse-grained information?

Fine-grained information focuses on small, individual events, while coarse-grained information is broader and key to strategic decision-making.

What is the significance of information granularity in decision-making?

Granularity affects whether decisions are operational or strategic; aggregated information is more valuable for making fewer, important decisions.

How is knowledge defined in relation to information?

Knowledge is organized and integrated information that conveys experience and understanding.

What is a compendium in the context of knowledge?

A compendium is a collection of information that the author expands upon, connecting various pieces of information.

What impact does being an informed user of technology have on a worker?

Informed users can be more effective in their roles and contribute better to technological developments.

What does it mean for information systems to be digitally based?

It means that most information systems today utilize digital technologies to manage and process information.

Why is aggregated information considered to have higher value?

Aggregated information supports fewer but more significant decisions, due to being compiled information, enhancing strategic planning.

What role does context play in transforming data into information?

Context provides purpose and meaning to data, allowing it to be understood and utilized effectively.

What connects key points and wisdom in understanding information systems?

Insight connects key points, while wisdom deeply understands how insights may be connected.

What are Transaction Processing Systems used for?

They are used for number crunching, gathering business data, real-time recording, and tracking receipts.

What is the primary function of Production/Operation Information Systems?

They manage inventory, quality control, and general operations to enhance business effectiveness.

What is the role of Marketing Information Systems?

They focus on retaining and gaining customers.

How do Human Resources Information Systems assist organizations?

They maintain employee information, manage payroll, and support recruiting and staff portal development.

What are legacy systems in the context of information systems?

Legacy systems are older software that organizations have depended on for decades, creating integration challenges.

What is the main problem associated with integrating information systems?

The challenge lies in integrating multiple systems without breaching security and ensuring accurate communication.

How is data typically stored in computers?

Data is stored in files, which can include documents, spreadsheets, mp3s, photographs, etc.

What is the difference between structured and unstructured files?

Structured files have a predetermined layout (like CSV), while unstructured files (like Word documents) do not.

What is a characteristic of highly structured files?

They are stored in a standardized format and contain valuable, vulnerable information.

Why is it not advisable to use word processors for data storage?

Word processors may change your writing and are not structured enough for data storage.

What are structured text files?

They lack formatting data and are used for plain text storage, such as CSV and TSV files.

How can you create a structured text file?

You can use Notepad on Windows or save a spreadsheet as a TSV.

What advantages do spreadsheets offer over text files?

Spreadsheets provide more control over format, allow data import/export, and help with visualization and statistical analysis.

What are some common problems associated with spreadsheets?

Errors can be hard to identify, files can be lost or deleted, and they may misinterpret data types.

What is a CSV file?

A CSV (Comma-Separated Values) file contains rows of data separated by commas.

What is a TSV file?

A TSV (Tab-Separated Values) file is similar to a CSV but uses tabs instead of commas to separate data.

What is the significance of understanding how data is processed for viewing and editing?

Software must convert binary data into a format that is understandable for users.

What is the potential risk of using spreadsheets for data interpretation?

Spreadsheets can lead to incorrect data interpretation due to errors in data type recognition.

What is the primary use of databases in information systems?

Databases are designed to contain high volumes of data in a standardized format.

Why is it important for business analysts to consider software integration?

To avoid dependence on legacy systems and ensure efficient communication between various information systems.

What are the implications of having multiple information systems in an organization?

It complicates integration and may lead to security breaches and communication issues.

What is the role of business analysts in the context of information systems?

They seek the best software solutions and address integration challenges.

What is a key benefit of structured text files compared to word processors?

Structured text files maintain data integrity without formatting changes.

What major mistake can businesses make when using spreadsheets?

They can make minor mistakes that cost millions or billions of dollars.

What happens in Excel when a value is too long?

It stores it in scientific notation and may replace certain values with 0.

What is a potential issue with gene names in Excel?

Gene names may turn into dates due to similar shorthand, leading to autocorrect errors.

Why should Excel not be used as a database?

Due to its errors and limitations in handling large datasets.

What is the primary function of a database?

To serve as a point of connection for the storage of data.

How do databases allow for data interaction?

Multiple clients can interact with the same database without accessing raw data.

What is the most common query language for databases?

SQL (Structured Query Language).

How can databases be thought of in relation to spreadsheets?

As a workbook with individual sheets, though this analogy may lead to errors.

What is a key advantage of using databases over spreadsheets?

Databases allow for centralized data storage and better management.

What is required for data to be stored in a database?

Data must be structured into a tabular format.

What is a data model in the context of databases?

A representation of types of entities, their attributes, and relationships.

What are entities in a data model?

Things or objects of significance that need to be known for data storage.

How is an entity represented in diagrams?

As a named rectangle in Entity-Relationship Diagrams (ERD).

What is the difference between an entity and a data item in ERD?

An entity refers to a group needing to be modeled, while a data item is a specific entry of that entity.

What are attributes in a database?

Individual properties of an entity that hold a single value of a defined type.

What do relationships in a database reflect?

Real-world associations between entities.

What are the types of cardinality in relationships?

One-to-one, one-to-many, and many-to-many relationships.

How is one-to-many cardinality represented?

By a line that branches out into a triangle.

What symbols are used to denote participation in relationships?

An 'O' for optional and an 'I' for mandatory.

What does information engineering notation correlate to?

It correlates to how entities and relationships are represented in diagrams.

What is a key takeaway regarding user experience and software?

User-friendly software can be designed for many users, not just experts.

Why is understanding data modeling important for accountants?

It helps them model financial documents like sales invoices.

What does Human-Computer Interface (HCI) encompass?

HCI is about conducting experiments and understanding the psychology of people, evolving significantly with technology.

What is the difference between User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI)?

UX focuses on optimizing user interaction and understanding, while UI encompasses the visual elements users interact with.

How is User Experience Design driven?

It is driven by results rather than visual preferences.

What are personas in the context of User Experience Design?

Personas are fictional characters representing types of users, helping designers understand user expectations.

What do scenarios describe in User Experience Design?

Scenarios narrate how one or more personas use a product to achieve specific goals.

What is required to build a network?

Multiple devices that can communicate with each other and understand the communication protocols.

What are network protocols?

Network protocols are the formats of messages sent to communicate between devices, standardizing communication for functionality.

What does the OSI Model represent?

The OSI Model represents the different bits of information sent through a network to reach a data webserver, structured in layers.

What is the significance of the OSI Model's layered approach?

It allows for decoupling from specific networks, enabling standardization across multiple devices.

What is the purpose of TCP/IP in networking?

TCP/IP assigns values to devices for identification and facilitates communication across networks.

Why was IPv6 necessary?

IPv6 was necessary due to the exhaustion of the initial 4.3 billion IP addresses in IPv4.

How do domain names facilitate internet navigation?

Domain names are user-friendly identifiers that allow users to access websites without remembering IP addresses.

What is the structure of the internet?

The internet is a network of networks, consisting of interconnected private, public, academic, business, and government networks.

How does Wikipedia define the internet?

The internet is described as a global system of interconnected computer networks using the Internet protocol suite (TCP/IP) for communication.

What is the control structure of the internet?

The internet does not have central control; it is governed by individual organizations connecting to public networks.

Why is understanding the interface's purpose important in design?

Understanding the interface's purpose is crucial for effective design, as it guides the design process from the beginning.

What is the relationship between UX and the goals of users?

User Experience is highly goal-directed, focusing on how well users can achieve their objectives with the interface.

What happens if designers try to please everyone in UX design?

If designers try to please everyone, they may end up serving no one effectively.

What is the role of communication in computer networking?

Communication in computer networking relies on standardized protocols to ensure devices can connect and function together.

What is the significance of 'stacks' in computer networking?

Stacks represent layers of activities responsible for specific tasks in the networking process.

What does the term 'network of networks' imply about the internet?

It implies that the internet is composed of various interconnected networks operated by different organizations.

What is the importance of good performance in network protocols?

Good performance is essential for effective communication between different devices and networks.

What is the implication of changing network types, such as from copper to fiber?

Changing network types can be done without altering the provider or network setup, highlighting the flexibility of the OSI Model.

What is the internet?

A network of networks consisting of private, public, academic, business, and government networks, linked by various electronic, wireless, and optical technologies.

Does the internet have central control?

No, each network operates independently, and it cannot be globally turned off.

What are intranets?

Specific networks within organizations that provide extra resources, such as access to printers and file sharing.

What is a VPN?

A Virtual Private Network that creates a secure tunnel and encrypts information to access resources on an intranet.

How does the World Wide Web relate to the internet?

The World Wide Web depends on the internet to display web pages and uses HTTP to request resources from servers.

Why are digital technology companies successful?

Their industry allows for high profit margins and easy distribution of products over the internet.

How has product distribution changed for tech companies?

Software updates can be sent directly to users' devices, enhancing product servicing.

What is the significance of global markets for businesses today?

Businesses can reach international markets easily, allowing products to be sold globally from anywhere.

What is a network event in business?

The value of a product or service increases with the size of its user network.

What is the Gini Coefficient in a business context?

A measure of inequality. Companies face negative profits initially until they establish themselves.

What are flywheels in business?

Mechanisms that drive business success by maintaining momentum through user engagement.

What is internal scalability?

The ability of a business to supply its customer base at low cost.

What is external scalability?

Factors that can hinder business growth and the benefits of expansion.

What is the Business Model Canvas?

A visual diagram that portrays a business model, including customer segments, relationships, channels, and more.

What are customer segments in the Business Model Canvas?

Groups of people for whom value is created.