Chapter 1: Information Systems in the Small Enterprise

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Chapter 1 Information Systems in the Small
Enterprise
section I Introduction
for the Small Enterprise
Systems Analysis and Design
information systems defined small enterprise
characteristics Information needs of the small
enterprise the systems development life
cycle computer information system components the
role of the analyst methodologies, tools, and
techniques the enhanced SDLC portfolio project
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Chapter Objectives

• When you complete this chapter you will be able
  to
• Distinguish the special characteristics and
  information needs of the small enterprise
• Outline the five phases of the systems
  development life cycle
• Identify the six components of an information
  system
• Describe the nature of entrepreneurial systems
  analysis
• Describe the purpose of CASE tools

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Information Systems Defined

• An information system is a well-coordinated
  collection of resources that gather and transform
  data into information products and services that
  help the enterprise perform its designed
  functions
• An information system hierarchy associates
  different classifications of information systems
  with different audiences

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Figure 1-1 Information System Hierarchy
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Information Systems Defined

• Three significant trends influence the
  evolution of information systems and provide
  opportunities for the entrepreneurial systems
  analyst
• The emergence of small enterprise computing
• The Internet as a dominating technology
• The maturation of application software

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Small Enterprise Characteristics

• The following small enterprise
  characteristics influence the analysts work
• Owner participation
• Economic constraints
• Competitive pressures

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Information Needs of the Small Enterprise

• The following are common information needs of
  any enterprise
• Production and inventory
• Personnel
• Financial reporting
• Marketing, sales, and service
• Customer relations

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Computing Terminology
TECHNOTE 1-1

• Several software products are integral to the
  analysts work
• Off-the shelf application software
• Software suites
• Computer assisted systems engineering (CASE)
• Object-oriented application software

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The Systems Development Life Cycle

• The systems development life cycle (SDLC)
  consists of five major phases
• Analysis
• Design
• Development
• Implementation
• Maintenance

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Figure 1-5 The Circular SDLC
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Figure 1-6 The Recurring SDLC
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Information System Components

• There are six major information system
  components
• People
• Procedures
• Software
• Hardware
• Networks
• Data

Reference Figure 1-7 Information System
Components
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Software Classifications
TECHNOTE 1-2

• System Software
• Operating systems
• Firmware
• Utility
• Application Software
• Horizontal
• Vertical
• Turnkey
• Customizable Software
• Third-generation programming languages
• Fourth-generation programming language (4GL)
• Object-oriented programming language
• 4GL products

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The Role of the Analyst

• An agent of change
• A problem-solving strategist
• A group facilitator

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Figure 1-8 The Blurred Proportional SDLC
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Software Ownership
Thinking
Critically

• Under what circumstances or conditions, if any,
  do you feel it is appropriate to install a
  clients software on your computer?

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Methodologies, Tools, and Techniques

• CASE Tools
• Visible Analyst
• Alternatives to CASE technologies

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Figure 1-10 Visible Analyst
Enlarge
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The Enhanced SDLC

• The enhanced SDLC embodies several important
  concepts
• The recurring nature of the SDLC
• The blending of several phases of the SDLC
• The influence of the user throughout the SDLC
• The addition of many powerful tools to assist the
  analyst

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Figure 1-11 The Enhanced SDLC
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Portfolio Project
Portfolio
project
Portfolio

• Team Assignment 1 Your Fictional Consulting Firm
• Decide on a name for your systems analysis
  consulting firm
• Develop a company logo
• Integrate the logo into a company letterhead
• Create an advertising flyer for your consulting
  company
• Prepare a Portfolio Project Binder

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Chapter Summary (1/3)

• Small enterprise, PC-based computing should rely
  on proven systems theory and techniques
• The small enterprise approach presents special
  advantages for an introductory study of systems
  analysis
• The systems development life cycle provides a
  framework for creating a small enterprise
  information system

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Chapter Summary (2/3)

• There are five phases of the SDLC
• Analysis
• Design
• Development
• Implementation
• Maintenance
• There are six components of an information system
• People
• Procedures
• Software
• Hardware
• Networks
• Data

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Chapter Summary (3/3)

• A systems analyst is
• An agent of change
• A problem solving strategist
• A group facilitator

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Figure 1-10 Enlargement
Return
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