Information Technology and Information Systems Fundamentals

Information Technology and Its Stakeholders

Presented by Rizza Laudiano-Armildez, MIT, STS.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Familiarize oneself with the basics of Information Technology.
Differentiate the types of Information Systems.

Lesson 1: Computer Basics

Information Technology (IT)

Plays a significant role in today's world.
Its constant pursuit by IT professionals since time immemorial has been the development and improvement of various processes to simplify human life.

Information System (IS)

Composed of different components.
An IS will not correctly serve its primary purpose – to process data into information – if even one component is missing.

Parts of an Information System

Hardware: The tangible physical components of a computer system.
Software: The instructional programs that guide the computer's operations.
Peopleware or Computer Users: The human element interacting with the system.
Procedures: The rules and guidelines for operating the system.
Data: Raw facts that are input into the system.

Detailed Components of an Information System

Hardware

The most noticeable and tangible component of an IS.
Types of Hardware in a computer system:
- Input Devices: Used to feed data into the computer (e.g., keyboard, mouse).
- Output Devices: Used to display or output processed information (e.g., monitor, printer).
- Storage Devices: Used to store data and programs (e.g., hard drive, USB drive).
- Networking or Communication Devices: Used for connecting computers and facilitating communication (e.g., modem, router).

Software

Software applications are the instructions the computer follows to accomplish specific tasks.
These are interrelated programs that tell all components of the information system what to do.
Further discussion on software applications will occur as the lesson progresses.

Peopleware or Computer Users

Often referred to as people or computer users.
Considered the most important component of an Information System, as they design, operate, and utilize the system.

Data

Defined as raw facts.
Can originate from printed documents or publications such as magazines and newspapers.
It's the unprocessed material that an IS works with.

Procedures

Components of the Information System that instruct people on what to do, or what to make of, the other components.
They ensure consistent and correct operation of the system.

Types of Software Applications

1. System Software

A set of programs that enables application software to communicate with the other components of the information system.
Acts as an intermediary between the hardware and application software.
Sub-categories of System Software:
- Operating System (OS):
  - More popularly known as OS, it is considered the ( \text{heart} ) of the computer.
  - Eight components or functions of an OS:
    1. File Management
    2. Process Management
    3. Memory Management
    4. Input/Output System Management
    5. Networking
    6. Security
    7. Command Interpreter System
    8. Protection and Secondary Storage Management
  - The Operating System acts as:
    - Resource manager: Manages hardware and software resources.
    - Service provider: Provides services to application programs and users.
- Utility Programs:
  - Responsible for the maintenance of the computer system.
  - Includes functions and services like set-up, configuration settings, and other user-defined options necessary for the overall operation of the computer unit (e.g., disk clean-up, antivirus software).

2. Application Software

Often referred to as end-user software applications, designed to perform specific tasks for the user.
Subdivided into:
- Basic Application Software:
  - Word Processors:
    - Literally process words, or technically termed "text."
    - Used for text-based document construction (e.g., Microsoft Word, Google Docs).
  - Electronic Spreadsheets:
    - Presented in the form of a table, composed of rows and columns.
    - Also known as e-spreadsheets, these applications primarily allow fast and unambiguous computations of numerical figures (e.g., Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets).
  - Presentation Software:
    - Also known as Presentation Slides.
    - Allows students and professionals to present topics or reports in a more creative and engaging way (e.g., Microsoft PowerPoint, Google Slides).
  - Database Software:
    - Allows secured storage of significant information.
    - Enables IT professionals to construct databases, which are composed of related tables to store information (e.g., Microsoft Access, Oracle).
- Specialized Application Software:
  - Category of Application Software that allows users to perform advanced tasks that basic application software cannot, whether at home or in the office.
  - Types of specialized software are:
    - Graphics Programs:
      - These programs focus on the layout of images and texts.
      - Examples of Graphic Programs:
        Desktop Publishing: Programs for creating small publications such as brochures, flyers, and catalogs.
        Image Editors: Programs used for working with bitmap images (e.g., Photoshop).
        Illustration Programs: Programs used for creating vector images and other geometrical shapes and figures (e.g., Adobe Illustrator).
        Image Galleries: Collections of electronic images where users can search and retrieve images based on given search criteria.
        Graphic Suites: Bundled graphical software applications, often including multiple types of graphic programs.
    - Audio and Video Editing Software:
      - Enhances audio recordings and video footage.
      - Best for creating sound effects and visual effects (e.g., Adobe Premiere Pro, Audacity).
    - Multimedia Editing Software:
      - Integrates video, music, voice, graphics, and text into a cohesive presentation or product (e.g., specialized software for interactive presentations).
    - Web Authoring Programs:
      - Used for the creation of web pages or entire websites (e.g., Adobe Dreamweaver, front-end development tools).
    - Artificial Intelligence (AI):
      - Programs with artificial intelligence simulate human capabilities such as sense, thoughts, and actions.
      - Aims to enable machines to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence.

Lesson 2: Information Systems

Five Functions of Information Systems

Accounting: Keeps a log of all financial activities of the company, crucial for financial reporting and management.
Marketing: Allows the company to broaden its scope regarding its target consumers, involving market research, advertising, and sales.
Human Resources (HR): Finds and hires possible and potential individuals to be part of the company’s manpower, managing employee data and payroll.
Production: Manages the process of importing raw materials into the company for their products and overseeing manufacturing.
Research: Allows the company to discover different possibilities, analyze these possibilities, evaluate them, and implement them if feasible (e.g., R&D).

Three Management Levels

Top Management: Responsible for long-term goals and strategic planning for the company as a whole (e.g., Vice President of Marketing developing long-term strategies).
Middle Management: Responsible for tactical planning, determining what to do in every process of each department (e.g., Regional Sales Managers setting sales goals and monitoring progress).
Supervisors: Responsible for operational matters, handling day-to-day activities and ensuring immediate tasks are completed (e.g., Production Supervisor monitoring inventory and reordering parts).

Types of Information Systems

Transaction Processing System (TPS):
- According to O’Leary, a TPS records everyday transactions and processes for the consumption of supervisors.
- Supports supervisors in recording and monitoring current inventory levels and production output (e.g., HealthWise production supervisors using TPS).
Management Information System (MIS):
- The records collated from the TPS are then used by the MIS for middle managers' consumption.
- Supports middle-level managers in monitoring weekly divisional sales and comparing actual sales to established goals (e.g., HealthWise regional sales managers using MIS reports).
Decision Support System (DSS):
- A DSS collates information from both TPS and MIS for middle managers to analyze.
- Supports middle managers with flexible analytical tools to evaluate the impact of campaigns on sales and profit (e.g., HealthWise regional sales managers using DSS).
Executive Support System (ESS):
- The ESS is exclusive to top managers.
- Internal data from both MIS and DSS, combined with external data, are collated into the ESS.
- Supports top-level managers in viewing current operations and developing long-term strategies (e.g., HealthWise marketing vice president using ESS).

Summary of Information System Components & Types

An information system is composed of different components; without one, it will not serve its purpose correctly.
The five components of an information system are: Hardware, Software, Peopleware or Computer Users, Data, and Procedures.
Categories of Software: System Software and Application Software.
- Types of System Software: Operating System and Utility Programs.
- Types of Application Software (Basic): Word Processors, Electronic Spreadsheets, Presentation Software, Database Software.
The five functions of an Information System are: Accounting, Marketing, Human Resource, Production, and Research.
Types of Information Systems: Transaction Processing System (TPS), Management Information System (MIS), Decision Support System (DSS), and Executive Support System (ESS).