Business Information Systems/ Information Systems 1A Module Manual 2026

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to Business Information Systems as outlined in the module manual.

Business Information Systems (BIS)

An integrated set of procedures and technologies that a business uses to manage and process data, generating the information needed for effective decision-making.

Data

Raw facts or observations that are considered to have little or no value until processed and transformed into information.

Information System

A system of interconnected components that gather, process, store, and disseminate information to facilitate decision-making within an organization.

Management Information Systems (MIS)

A system designed to gather, process, store, analyse, and disseminate information to aid in management decision-making and control within a company.

Database Management System (DBMS)

Software that enables users to efficiently create, manage, and access databases.

Competitive Advantage

A long-term strategic advantage that an organization has over its competitors, facilitated by effective use of information technology.

Cost Leadership Strategy

A strategy focusing on reducing the overall cost of products and services to gain a competitive edge.

Differentiation Strategy

A strategy aimed at establishing a distinct difference between a company's products/services and those of competitors.

Focus Strategy

A strategy where an organization concentrates on a specific market segment to achieve either a cost or differentiation strategy.

Data Mart

A subset of a data warehouse that focuses on a specific functional area of a business, offering faster access and specialized information.

Big Data

Large datasets enabled by IT systems that capture, support, and disseminate data, characterized by volume, variety, velocity, and veracity.

Network

A system of interconnected devices, such as computers, that can communicate with each other and share resources.

Client/Server Model

A computing model where a client requests services from a server, which processes the requests and returns the results.

Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) Model

A seven-layer architecture that defines how data is transmitted between computers in a network.

Types of Networks

Various networking standards including Local Area Networks (LAN), Wide Area Networks (WAN), and Metropolitan Area Networks (MAN), each serving specific connectivity solutions.

Computer Network Topology

The arrangement of various elements in a computer network, including the physical and logical layout of connections.