44221: Information Systems Introduction to Module By:Ian Perry Room: C41C...

44221: Information Systems

Introduction to Module

By: Ian PerryRoom: C41CE-mail: [email protected]

Tel: 01723 35 7287

http://itsy.co.uk/ac/0809/Sem1/44221_IS/

Ian Perry Slide 244221: Information Systems: Introduction to Module

Why study Information Systems? An understanding of Information Systems

is vital to business management and information technology students: As all business organisations rely upon the

ability of their Information Systems to provide/support the knowledge required for all levels of decision-making, i.e.:

Strategic Tactical Operational


Learning Outcomes? By the end of the module you will be able

to: Understand why a distinction must be made

between data, information & knowledge. Identify the role of Information Systems in a

given business context. Relate theoretical models of Information

Systems to business cases, by describing a given situation using systems terminology & diagrams.

Produce a working example of a computer-based Information Systems tool, which addresses specific business needs.


Assessment Method Two, equally weighted, assignments; based

upon a common Case Study. Assignment 1 - Information Systems Analysis

Deadline = 14 November 2008; Weighting = 50%1.Analyse the current information system, as presented by the

Case Study, using appropriate systems diagrams .2.Discuss where, and how, IT might be used to improve the

efficiency/effectiveness of a specific part (i.e. sub-system) of the Case Study organisation’s information system.

Assignment 2 - Information Systems Tool Deadline = 19 December 2008; Weighting = 50%1.Build a software tool that can help improve a specific aspect

of the information system of the Case Study organisation.2.Write an illustrated user guide; to explain how to use the

software tool you have developed.


Assignment Hand-in Process You MUST hand in TWO copies of each Assignment for

this Module. BOTH copies must be submitted by 3pm of the submission

date.

An Electronic Copy (via Turnitin) Class ID: 76870 Password: ZYCW <= UPPER CASE Assignment 1 – Code Name: E1 – IS Analysis Assignment 2 – Code Name: E2 – IS Tool

See the ‘Assessment Method’ page of the ‘IS Web-site’; in order to find out how to enrol for & use Turnitin.

A Paper Copy (to the School Office) With properly completed Front-sheets, including a Turnitin

“Paper ID”, in the correct drawer of the wooden filing cabinet outside of CH5.


The ‘CheapChip’ Case Study (Overview) CheapChip manufacture kitchen cabinets for sale to

customers such as MFI, HomeBase and B&Q. These kitchen cabinets can be produced in a variety of styles,

sizes and colours. Kitchen cabinets are ‘made-to-order’ as a result of a request

from a specific Customer. Raw materials (i.e. Chipboard & Laminate) are

purchased from a number of suppliers. BOTH the raw materials and the finished kitchen

cabinets are stored in a small warehouse.

NB. READ the CheapChip Case Study VERY CAREFULLY,

as BOTH Assignments are based upon it.


The ‘CheapChip’ Case Study - Problems Each ‘work order’ is currently calculated by hand, which is both

very time consuming and often leads to mistakes, both of which upset the customers.

Invoice production is also a manual calculation; and a number of customers have complained recently about incorrectly calculated Invoices.

The Warehouse is quite small, and can only hold a small stock of raw materials, so ‘work orders’ often become ‘purchase orders’ (once again a manual calculation).

There was some talk of building a much larger Warehouse, but these plans have been abandoned, as CheapChip could not afford to hold any more raw materials than they do now.

Raising a ‘purchase order’ with one of CheapChip’s Suppliers can result in a delay of up to 10 days for the delivery of the raw materials.

Often, even when Warehouse is almost full of Chipboard & Laminates, a ‘work order’ cannot be completed as these are the wrong raw materials with which to satisfy a specific customer ‘request’.


Lectures (C17a) Workshops (IT3)

2. Introduction to Module3. Systems Concepts 14. Systems Concepts 2 5. Review & Ass 1 Reqs6. -- No Lecture –-7. -- No Lecture –-

2. Information for All?3. Drawing Diagrams 14. Drawing Diagrams 25. Assignment 1 Support6. Assignment 1 Support7. -- No Workshop --

8. Intro to Spreadsheets9. Org. Data / Present Info.10. Spreadsheet Automation11. Review & Ass 2 Reqs12. -- No Lecture --

8. Useful SS Functions9. Worksheets & Charts10. Macros & Printing11. Assignment 2 Support12. -- No Workshop --

Assignment 1: Deadline = Fri, 14 Nov, 2008

Assignment 2: Deadline = Fri, 19 Dec, 2008


Data, Information & Knowledge A clear understanding of difference between

Data, Information & Knowledge is crucial if you are to be able to understand/develop an Information System. Especially one that requires computer-based

support. What is Data?

A series of observations, measurements, or facts (transactions/events).

Collins Concise English Dictionary E.g.

12 Ian Sunny


Data Information What is Information?

‘data that have been transformed into a meaningful and useful form for people’.

‘data placed in a context and given value by specific end-users’.

ProcessData Information

(perhaps!)


Information Attributes Information (or do I mean data?) can be

thought of as having three dimensions: Time

Timeliness, Currency, Frequency, etc. Content

Accuracy, Relevance, Completeness, etc. Form

Clarity, Detail, Order, Presentation, etc. Information is often affected by more

than one of the above.


What is this? - 120508 Why did you say that?

People tend to look for a familiar structure & place data in a familiar context, e.g.:

120508 => DD/MM/YY => 12/05/08 => 12 May 2008

We use structure & context to transform the data we receive into information.

However: Different people may see a different

structure and/or might apply a different context to the data they receive:

What if your context were international? What if you were me?


So? Information = Data + Structure +

Context The same data can give different

information if a different structure and/or a different context is applied.

Try these:

SSMTW_ what letter is next?

SDLMM_ what letter is next?


Knowledge What is Knowledge?

That which is gained by the possession of information.

Enabling people to:have a ‘better’ understanding of a situation

And/Or:make ‘better’ decisions.


An Information Systems Approach Information Systems Computer Systems Need to take a holistic view of:

Organisation, People, and Technology.

People

TechnologyOrganisation


Summary Data Information:

Data are simply facts relating to ‘things’ like events, transactions, etc.

Information: is a people thing, because only they can

determine the structure & context with which data might become information.

Knowledge: is gained by the possession of information

that enables people to have a ‘better’ understanding of a situation and/or make ‘better’ decisions.


Example Data:

Lycopersicon Esculentum Annual plant belonging to the nightshade family, native to South

America. It is widely cultivated for its shiny, round, red fruit containing many seeds (technically a berry), which is widely used in salads and cooking. (Lycopersicon esculentum, family Solanaceae.)

A genetically engineered tomato, the first genetically engineered food for sale, appeared in shops in California and Chicago in May 1994.

Information it is a Tomato.

Knowledge Tomatoes are a Fruit.

Wisdom (i.e. Decision) Do NOT put Tomatoes in a Fruit Salad.


Always Remember This!“Data is only potential information; information is potential knowledge; and knowledge is potential competitive advantage if it is used in a creative, flexible, and above all, accurate way.”

Adrian M (1990) Let’s Get Serious. Focus News. Winter.


You can not afford to miss anything! Remember:

ALL of your Year 2 marks count towards your final Degree Classification.

DO NOT leave Assignments to the last minute: A number oflast year’s students failed Assignment 1

for the IS Module. DO NOT miss any Lecture or Workshop

sessions. There are Lectures & Workshops for the IS Module

almost EVERY WEEK. The first IS Workshop session takes place

immediately after this Lecture, i.e.: 11:15 to 13:05, in IT3.


This Week’s Workshop Explores the way in which roles within a business (i.e.

which Department you work for) impact upon data sharing, data use and data maintenance responsibilities. Read the Case Study & Form a Team;

each team will represent ONE of six Departments.

Complete a ‘Data Use Statement’; by reference to a limited set of data, from your

chosen Department’s perspective. Compare Data Use Statements;

to see if the other Departments agree with your team’s analysis.

44221: Information Systems Introduction to Module By:Ian Perry Room: C41C...

Documents

Transcript of 44221: Information Systems Introduction to Module By:Ian Perry Room: C41C...