Chapter 1: Why Study Computers

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Chapter 1 Why Study Computers?

• Succeeding with Technology Computer System
  Concepts for Real Life

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Objectives

• Describe the use of computer systems
• Define basic computer concepts
• Discuss the components of any computer system and
  how they are used

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What is the role of IS in todays competitive
business environment?

• Essential communication and analytical tools for
  conducting trade and managing businesses.
• Provide a foundation for new products/services
• Allow businesses to adopt flatter, more
  decentralized structures and more flexible
  arrangements of employees and management.
• Organizations are trying to become more
  competitive and efficient by transforming
  themselves into firms where nearly all core
  businesses and relationships with customers are
  digitally enabled.

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Key Terms

• Data vs. Information
• Computer vs. Computer Program vs. Information
  Systems vs. MIS
• Business Processes vs. Business Functions

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Producing Valuable Information

• Data - Consist of raw facts
• Information - Collection of organized facts
• Knowledge - Information that has been organized
  and processed to convey understanding,
  experiences, accumulated learning.

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The Interdependence Between Organizations and
Information Systems
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• Information System - Interrelated components
  working together to collect, process, store and
  disseminate information to support decision
  making, coordination, and control in an
  organization
• What exactly does an information system do?
• Provides an organizational and management
  solution based on information technology to
  address a challenge posed by the environment.
• IS transforms raw data into useful information.
• Fixed definitions of data and procedures.
• The purpose of an IS is to collect, store, and
  disseminate information from an organizations
  environment and internal operations and to
  support organizational functions and decision
  making, communication, coordination, control,
  analysis and visulation.

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• Business Processes
• Unique ways in which organizations coordinate and
  organize work activities, information, and
  knowledge to produce a product or service .
• Business Functions
• Specialized tasks performed in a business
  organization, e.g. manufacturing and production,
  sales and marketing, finance and accounting, and
  human resources.

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How are information systems transforming
organizations and management?

• Information systems are more than just computers
• The widening scope of information systems
• Flatting organizations
• Redesigned work flow
• Information Architecture vs. Infrastructure

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Information Systems
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The Widening Scope of Information Systems
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Flattening Organizations Information Systems
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Information Architecture and Information
Technology Infrastructure
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How has the Internet and Internet technology
transformed business?

• What You Can Do on the Internet
• Communicate and collaborate
• Access information
• Participate in discussions
• Supply information
• Find entertainment

• New Options for Organizational Design
• Exchange business transactions
• Flattening organizations
• Separating work from location
• Reorganizing work-flows
• Increasing flexibility
• Redefining organizational boundaries

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Productivity, Quality, and Competitive Advantage

• Productivity
• Measure of output achieved divided by input
  required
• Quality
• Ability of a product or service to meet or exceed
  customer expectations
• Competitive advantage
• A significant and long-term benefit

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Careers and Computers

• IT - Computer science Management Information
  Systems
• Business Management Marketing Finance
  Accounting Human Resources
• Insurance
• Engineering Architecture
• Library science
• Science Sports and Exercise
• Medicine and Healthcare
• The Arts
• Social Sciences
• Education
• Law Enforcement Law
• The Government and the Military

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Functions Performed by a Computer

• Input - determined by the desired output of the
  system
• Processing - transforming data into useful
  outputs
• Output - the production of useful information
• Feedback - Output used to make adjustments to
  input or processing activities

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Hardware

• Processing and storage
• Central processing unit
• Motherboard (system board)
• Memory (primary storage)
• Secondary storage (permanent storage)

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Software and the Internet

• Two types of software
• Application
• System
• Operating system
• The Internet
• ISPs
• WWW
• URLs

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Types of Computers

• Mobile computers
• Workstations
• Servers
• Midrange Servers
• Mainframe Servers
• Supercomputers
• Special-Purpose Computers
• Global positioning system (GPS)

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Computer Systems and their Use

• People are the most important element in most
  computer systems
• Computer systems personnel
• Procedures

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Database Systems

• Database Systems
• Telecommunications and Network Systems
• Electronic commerce (e-commerce)
• Transaction processing system (TPS)

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Information, Decision Support, and Specialized
Systems

• Management Information System
• Decision Support Systems
• Artificial intelligence (AI)
• Expert system (ES)
• Other artificial intelligence and special purpose
  systems
• Geographic information system (GIS)
• Neural network

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Social, Ethical, and Security Issues

• Computer Waste and Mistakes
• Computer crime
• Privacy
• Computer Systems in the Work Environment
• Ethical Issues in Computer Systems
• Computer Security and Control