Management Information System Allama IQbal Uni

8/8/2019 Management Information System Allama IQbal Uni

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ASSIGNMNET NO 1

MANAGMENET INFORMATION SYSTEM

SUBMITTED TO: MISS

2010

DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS SCIENCES

ALAMA IQBAL OPEN UNIVERSITY (ISLAMABAD)


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Q# 1(a) Describe the three vital roles that Information Systems perform for abusiness enterprise? Support your answer with examples.

Information System

Information system is a combination of certain elements, ie People, Hardware, Software,

Communication Network, and Data Resource. The system is usually capable of performing the

functions of storing, retrieving, transforming and disseminating the information within as well as

outside the organization. IS encompasses many multifaceted technologies, abstract behavioral

concepts, and specialized applications in innumerable in every area of life. As a business

professional you dont need to absorb all that knowledge.

IS encompasses many multifaceted technologies, abstract behavioral concepts, and specialized

applications in innumerable in every area of life. As a business professional you dont need toabsorb all that knowledge. An information system model expresses a fundamental conceptual

framework for the major components and activities of information systems. An information

system depends on the resources of people, hardware, software, data, and networks to perform

input, processing, output, storage, and control activities that convert data resources into

information products. The information systems model outlined in the text emphasizes four

major concepts that can be applied to all types of information systems:

People, hardware, software, data, and networks, are the five basic resources of

information systems.

People resources include end users and ARE specialists, hardware resources consist ofmachines and media, software resources include both programs and procedures, data

resources can include data and knowledge bases, and network resources include

communications media and networks.

Data resources are transformed by information processing activities into a variety of

information products for end users.

Information processing consists of input, processing, output, storage, and control

activities.

Roles of Information System in a business EnterpriseThere are three fundamental reasons for all business applications of information technology.

They are found in the three vital roles that information systems can perform for a business.

Support of its Business Processes and Operations:As a consumer we regularly encounter information system that supports the business process

and operations at the many retail stores where we shop. For example, most retail stores now use


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computers based information system to help them record customer purchases, keep track of

inventory, pay employees, buy new merchandise, and evaluate sales trends.

Store operations would grind to a halt without the support of such information system.

Support Business Decision Making:IS also help store managers and other business professionals make better decisions. For

example, decisions on what lines of merchandise need to be added or discontinued, or on what

kind of investment they require, are typically made after an analysis provided by computer-based information systems. This not only support the decisions making of store managers,

buyers, and others, but also helps them look for ways of gain an advantage over other retailers

in the competition for customers.

Support to its Strategies for Competitive Advantage:Gaining a strategic advantage over competitors requires innovative application of information

technologies. For example, store management might make a decision to install touch-screen

kiosks in all of their stores, with links to their e-commerce website for online shopping. This

might attract new customers and built customer loyalty because of the ease of shopping and

buying merchandise provided by such information systems. Thus, strategic information systems

can help provide products and services that give a business a comparative advantage over its

competitors.

(b) Define the following and give an example of each:

Batch Processing:

Batch processing is execution of a series ofprograms ("jobs") on a computer without manualintervention. A batch processing system is one where programs and data are collected togetherin a batch before processing starts. Each piece of work for a batch processing system is called a job. A job usually consists of a program and the data to be run. Jobs are stored in job queuesuntil the computer is ready to process them.

Example:Payroll system - A large business may run the wages program for all its employees at the end of

every month. When a company calculates the wages for its workforce and prints pay slips

A system that takes a set (a "batch") of commands or jobs executes them and returns the results,

all without human intervention. This contrasts with an interactive system where the user's

commands and the computer's responses are interleaved during a single run.

Online Processing (Real-Time):

Real time processing is a recurrent input, processing and output of data. Data has to be

processed in a small stipulated time period (real time); otherwise it will create problems for the

system.
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Example:

Fabrication system control on an Assembly line based operation

Controlling of unmanned intelligent devices

Reconnaissance and Radar system

System:

A system is a group of interrelated components with a clearly defined boundary, working

together towards a common goal by accepting input and producing outputs in an organized

transformation process. Its a prearranged and purposeful structure regarded as a 'whole'

consisting of interrelated and interdependent elements. These elements continually influence

one another to maintain their activity and the existence of the system, in order to achieve the

common purpose the 'goal' of the system. All systems have basic properties, like:

Input:It involves capturing and assembling elements that enter the system to be processed. For

example raw materials, energy, data, and human efforts must be secured and organized for

processing.

ProcessingIt involves transformation processes that convert input into output. Examples are manufacturing

Process, the human breathing process, or mathematical calculation.

Output:It involves transferring elements that have been produced by a transformation process to their

ultimate destination. For example, finished products, human services, and management

information must be transmitted to their human users.

Example:

Self-monitoring, self- regulating, thermostat-controlled heating system

Human body

ProceduresA procedure is a specified series ofactions or operations which have to be executed in the same

manner in order to always obtain the same result under the same circumstances. They are

operating instructions for the people who will use an information system. In other words, they

are sequence of tasks, steps, decisions, calculations and processes, that when undertaken in the

sequence laid down produces the described result, product or outcome. A procedure usually

induces a change.

Example:The operation of any logical and continues working body, ie Computers, Airplanes, Machinery
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Q# 2

(a) Read the following scenario and answers the questions below:

The owner of a chain of five leather goods stores has decided to install a

computerized information system to support the accounting, sales, operations,

and human resource functions for the stores. Located in small suburban shopping

centers, these stores carry an assortment of luggage, briefcases, wallets, and other

leather products as well as travel accessories and small electronic products. So far,

each store in the chain has operated independently, with a single personal

computer to support store functions at the managers discretion. Some stores use

it to record transactions; others maintain inventory records on it; still others use it

for primitive payroll systems.

1.

Diagnose the situation critically and list the types of information each storemanager requires.

2. Discuss which information can be part of computerized information systems?

Currently, the stores operations are running independently as no communication system has

been witnessed in the scenario. Therefore, it is quite obvious that there will be no coordination

in the processes among the stores. It is also expected that the only information which generally

have been shared might be the sales, stocks or the expanses. But to run the system efficiently, it

is necessary to share a lot of information directly relation to the operations of the stores system.

To run the MIS in the network, certain basic as well as computer system related information. Thebreakdown of the segregation is as under.

Management related Information:

Stock Information

Employee Information

Sales Information

Stores Overheads

Creditors InformationDebtors Information

Sales Returns

Claimed Items

Employees Appraisals

Training information


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Computer System Related Information:

All the information mentioned above is required by the manager, but a few of them is required a

complete computerized system to function efficiently. These are as follows.

Inventory control

Online System

CCTV System

Inventory ControlIt provides the inflow as well as the outflow of the saleable items present in the stores. The

activity in the business will bring change in the inventory and the process will show the business

productivity. Inventory system is a system which helps mangers to record all the financial

activities according to the date. Following are the main parts and information stored in inventory

system.

Sales information

Purchases information

Sales returnsStock information

Orders placed

Orders cleared

Pending Orders

Online System:Online system help mangers to check the stock available in his stock record or the other stores

stock record. Online system can also be use full for the customer. They can online purchases the

items which they required and can check the availab le item on the store. They dont need to

come at store for purchasing. All new coming items can be uploaded on the site of the

company.

CCTV System:CCTV stands for Closed Circuit Television. The main purpose of the CCTV system is to increase

the performance of security in the store. Manager could watch their employees and activities of

the customers sitting in his office.

(b) What is prototyping approach of system development? Explain theprocess of prototyping in detail and discuss the advantages of using prototypingapproach.

Prototype:A prototype is a new product, experimentally developed for testing, gauging the operational

limitation and experimentation. It is pertinent to mention that a proto type is 100% a same thing

which is planned for a new product. But after experimentation, the approving body can bring


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modification in the product. It is an original type, form, or instance of something serving as a

typical example, basis, or standard for other things of the same category.

Computer Software Prototyping:Quite like for the development of a physical product, Software prototyping is an activity during

certain software development, is the creation of prototypes, i.e., incomplete versions of the

software program being developed.

A prototype normally replicates nearly all the basic features of proposed software. The testing

then highlights the short comings in the system. Therefore, the actual product may be quite

different than prototyped product.

The conventional purpose of a prototype is to allow users of the software to evaluate

developers' proposals for the design of the eventual product by actually trying them out, rather

than having to interpret and evaluate the design based on descriptions. Prototyping can also be

used by end users to describe and prove requirements that developers have not considered, so

"controlling the prototype" can be a key factor in the commercial relationship between

developers and their clients.

Types of prototypes

Horizontal PrototypeThis kind of prototypes are generally used for just intimating the final user the basic outlook of

the interface, design, basic specifications and functions, few limitations, the efficiency and last

but not the least, cost of the system. But it is pertinent that the final user only gets a small idea

about the final product from the horizontal prototype. Feedback from the assessor gives the

guidelines to the developer to build a final product.

Vertical PrototypeA vertical prototype is a nearly a complete elaboration of a single subsystem or function. It is

useful for obtaining detailed requirements for a given function, ie refinement database design,

obtain information on data volumes and system interface needs, for network sizing and

performance engineering and clarifies complex requirements by drilling down to actual system

functionality

Steps in Prototyping

The process of prototyping involves the following steps

Identifying the basic needs and requirements

Development of initial prototype

Experimentation and testing

Modification as per the feedback and development of final product.

Prototyping has several benefits: The software designer and implementer can obtain feedback

from the users early in the project. The client and the contractor can compare if the software


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made matches the software specification, according to which the software program is built. It

also allows the software engineer some insight into the accuracy of initial project estimates and

whether the deadlines and milestones proposed can be successfully met. The degree of

completeness and the techniques used in the prototyping have been in development and

debate since its proposal in the early 1970s.

This process is in contrast with the 1960s and 1970s monolithic development cycle of building

the entire program first and then working out any inconsistencies between design and

implementation, which led to higher software costs and poor estimates of time and cost The

monolithic approach has been dubbed the "Slaying the (software) Dragon" technique, since it

assumes that the software designer and developer is a single hero who has to slay the entire

dragon alone. Prototyping can also avoid the great expense and difficulty of changing a finished

software product.

Advantages of Prototyping:

Cost Reduction:The prototyping lets the developer to build only a single product, which bears all the

specifications proposed initially. This does not only reduce the time in the production but also it

reduces the cost as only one item is built. Meanwhile, the developer gets the confidence that he

has completed the necessary research and development of the final product.

Improved product and increased user involvement:The testing in this concern brings the total involvement of the user; hence, the user feels a sense

of owner ship by the manufacturer. This ultimately leads towards the improvement of the

product. Prototyping requires user involvement and allows them to see and interact with a

prototype allowing them to provide better and more complete feedback and specifications. The

presence of the prototype being examined by the user prevents many misunderstandings and

miscommunications that occur when each side believe the other understands what they said.

Real Feedback:One other major advantage of prototyping is that it brings the real feedback of the customers,

which can be beneficial for the development of some other products R&D.


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Q# 3

(a) Select any functional area (e.g finance, human resource, marketing,etc.)Within any large organization (such as the government or a bank) and then

describe the business functions and the major processes and procedures within

that functional area. Also discuss what MIS exist to support these areas.

Introduction:

The business cannot be run without the close cooperation of the main departments. These main

departments are generally remembered as the functional areas of the business. Each area does

its own specific task and the results are communicated to the concerned sister department

accordingly. The communication does not just shows the communication of results; rather, it

includes a huge level of information for which sometimes people say unnecessary information.

But if the information system in the business is efficient, then only pure information is

transported. Therefore, MIS is an Information system which helps in providing the operational as

well as top management of an organization with information which is used by management for

decision making. A management information system (MIS) is a subset of the overall internal

controls of a business covering the application of people, documents, technologies, and

procedures by management accountants to solving business problems such as costing a

product, service or a business-wide strategy.

Every organization generally constitutes following operational areas:

Finance

MarketingProduction & Operation

Human Resource Management Department

Procurement and Logistics

Quality Assurance

Information Technology

Functions and Procedures Marketing Department in PakistanInternational Airlines

Following are some of the important functions of marketing department in PIA:

Product Development:This section continuously monitors the standards of services as well as the introduction of some

new components in the service for the betterment as well as the competitive edge over others.


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Inventory Control, Pricing and Demand Forecasting:Revenue management section foresees demands, the existing inventory available for sales as

well as prices the space against accordingly.

Reservation and Ticketing:This section is responsible for the ticketing and its branches are located worldwide.

Sales:Keeping in view the demand and the supply, the sales force is responsible for doing such efforts

that may lead into the higher sales.

Branding:Brand management promotes the image of the airline thorough certain advertising campaigns,

promotional activities and the promotional product developments ect.

Market Analysis:This section analyses the market for new routes, develops the network, builds the schedules ets.

How MIS Works in PIA Marketing

Information Technology department of PIA has built the MIS for the complete organization. The

system constitutes many highly specialized soft wares, interlinked through MIS to disseminate

the information among the departments. Marketing department also uses the softwares like

AIMS, SABRE, PCS and NTSS etc to control the activities in certain sections of the Marketing

department. The reports generated through any of the section is visible to the concerned in

other section, who can evaluate the figures and can use the for their future and present

purposes. One very pertinent example of the use of information is seen between the Revenue

Management and the Reservation and Ticketing section. The price tagged to any of the space is

visible at every reservation counter and hence sold to the concerned passenger. The networkcontrol department also communicates its information to the RM for their necessary actions.

This complete information is visible to the director marketing, who controls the activities

according to the objectives of the organization as well as other departments.


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(b) Differentiate between information technology (IT) and information systems(IS)

Information System (IS)

According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, information system is an integrated set ofcomponents for collecting, storing, processing, and communicating information. Business firms,

other organizations, and individuals in contemporary society rely on information systems to

manage their operations, compete in the marketplace, supply services, and augment personal

lives. For instance, modern corporations rely on computerized information systems to process

financial accounts and manage human resources; municipal governments rely on information

systems to provide basic services to its citizens; and individuals use information systems to

study, shop, bank, and invest.

Information systems are the means by which people and organizations, utilizing technologies,

gather, process, store, use and disseminate information.

Understanding of how data, information and knowledge can be modelled, stored, managed,

processed and disseminated by computer systems. Knowledge of techniques and technologies

used to organise data and information and enable their effective use by individuals, groups and

organisations. Information systems, as a discipline, focuses on exploring the interface between

management, information science and computer science. Some make a clear distinction

between information systems, ICT and business processes. Information systems are distinct from

information technology in that an information system is typically seen as having an ICT

component. Information systems are also different from business processes. Information

systems help to control the performance of business processes. Computer Science focuses on

information technology: software. Information Systems mediates the two opposing worlds of

human activity systems and information technology. In all, an Information System (IS) is any

combination of information technology and people's activities using that technology to support

operations, management, and decision-making.

Information Technology (IT)

Information technology (IT), as defined by the Information Technology Association of America

(ITAA), is "the study, design, development, implementation, support or management of

computer-based information systems, particularly software applications and computer

hardware. IT (information technology) is a term that encompasses all forms of technology used

to create, store, exchange, and use information in its various forms (business data, voice

conversations, still images, motion pictures, multimedia presentations, and other forms,

including those not yet conceived). It's a convenient term for including both telephony and

computer technology in the same word. It is the technology that is driving what has often been

called "the information revolution."

In contrast the term information technology refers to the various hardware components

necessary for the system to operate. In theory, an information system could use simple hardware

components such as pencil and paper of file folders to capture and store its data. For our


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purpose, however, we will concentrate on computer-based information system and their use of

the following information technologies. In other words, Information technology (IT) is "the study,

design, development, implementation, support or management of information systems".

Information technology is a general term that describes any technology that helps to produce,

manipulate, store, communicate, and/or disseminate information.


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Q# 4(a) Write notes on the following

Input technologies

Computer input devices are hardware components that help you transfer information, data, etc.

to the computer. Without the computer input devices, you computer will be more or less just

like a television set. These devices help you send data into the computer or even help you

retrieve the data into a hard copy. So an input device is any peripheral device that helps provide

data and control signals of a computer. The input devices can be classified into the following

categories:

Modality of input like audio, video and mechanical devices.

A continuous input device like the mouse who's position is fast enough to be

considered as continuous.

The freedom provided to the user while using the device like a 2 dimensional

mouse or 3 dimensional navigators (especially for CAD applications).

Computer Input Devices List

Let us now have a look at the various computer input devices list. These input devices help in

manipulating various informations on the computer. The following are some of the most

commonly used input devices. You can read more on computer uses.

Keyboard:The oldest and most widely used computer input device is the keyboard. It is available with the

desktop computers, laptops, etc. The computer keyboard contains all the alphabetical and

numerical keys for input of data and commands. The keyboard is generally connected to the

computer with a wire but nowadays wireless keyboards are also very common.

Mouse:The small hand held computer device that helps make selection and navigation of the screen

easy is the mouse. The computer mouse displays a cursor on the screen that serves as a guide

for opening files and folders, and making selections. The mouse, like the keyboard, is either

connected with the computer through a wire or has a wireless connection.

Graphics Tablets:The graphic tablet uses a pen-like computer input device that is called a stylus. This helps one

write on tablets or touch-screens like a pen. Some tablets and stylus have buttons that help the


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user use it like a mouse. Many tablet models, allow the user to use their fingers instead of a

stylus.

Joysticks:If you are an ardent fan of gaming and love to play many advanced games, then you may be

aware of a joystick. This is a movable stick with a button or two that helps one control the

movements of characters in the game. Many latest joystick models come with different buttons

to help you make complex movements with just a push with your fingers.

Scanners:Scanners are computer input devices that help you make virtual photocopies of your hard copy

document or even a photograph. You can copy an image of the document you wish to copy and

save it on the computer or take print outs. This copy can be edited by running a graphics

program.

Headsets:

The headsets are computer input devices that have an earphone as well as a

microphone. This helps you record your voice, dictate data or even commands to the

computer. Some headsets help you keep your hands free for working on different tasks.

You can even add voice recognition software, so that only your voice will be accepted by

the computer to dictate commands.

Computer Input Devices Examples

There are many different devices that help you share information with your computer in

different formats. The following are a few computer input devices examples that help you

digitize images and videos from other devices into your computer. You can read more on

computer output devices.

Computer Input Device Examples for Video Formats

Web cam

Image scanner

Digital camera

Barcode reader

Finger print scanner

3D scanner

Laser rangefinder

Video capture hardwareMIDI Keyboard


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Types of Telecommunications Networks

Telecommunications network

A telecommunications network is a network of telecommunications links and nodes arranged so

that messages may be passed from one part of the network to another over multiple links and

through various nodes. Telecommunications network links (including their endpoints or "nodes")

may in turn be built out of hierarchical transmission systems.

Examples of telecommunications networks are:

Computer network

The Internet Network- The internet network is a global network of networks. The

internet is connected via an Internet Service Provider (ISP) and then becomes part

of a network. This network then connects to a larger corporate network that

interconnects with several other similar networks through Network Access Points(NAPs).

The Public switched telephone network

The global Telex network

The aeronautical ACARS network

All telecommunication networks are made up of five basic components that are present in each

network environment regardless of type or use. These basic components include terminals,telecommunications processors, telecommunications channels, computers, and

telecommunications control software.

Terminals are the starting and stopping points in any telecommunication network

environment. Any input or output device that is used to transmit or receive data

can be classified as a terminal component.

Telecommunications processors are support data transmission and reception

between terminals and computers by providing a variety of control and support

functions. (i.e. convert data from digital to analog and back)

Telecommunications channels are the way by which data is transmitted and

received. Telecommunication channels are created through a variety of media of

which the most popular include copper wires and coaxial cables. Fiber-optic

cables are increasingly used to bring faster and more robust connections to

businesses and homes.

In a telecommunication environment computers are connected through media to

perform their communication assignments.


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Telecommunications control software is present on all networked computers and

is responsible for controlling network activities and functionality.

Early networks were built without computers, but late in the 20th century their switching centers

were computerized or the networks replaced with computer networks.

Types of Telecommunication Networks

In its most basic form a network is an interconnected system of things or people. From a

technical standpoint a network is a data communication system that interconnects computer

systems at different sites, or the connection of two or more computers using a communications

system.

Most networks can be classified into one of five different types. These include wide area

networks (WAN), local area networks, (LAN), virtual private networks (VPN), client/server

networks, network computing, and peer-to-peer networks.

Wide Area Network (WAN)Any network that encompasses a large geographic area is referred to as a WAN or Wide Area

Network. Many large businesses and government agencies use WANs to keep their employees

and citizens connected as well as provide a quick and effective way to send and receive

information.

Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)A MAN or Metropolitan Area Network is a network that covers a region, often a metropolitan

area that is bigger than a Local Area Network and smaller than a Wide Area Network and

consists of several interconnected LANs. This network often serves regional businesses that have

several locations throughout the region or entire cities. With this configuration, a MAN often is

then connected to larger WAN networks.

There are three features that differentiate MANs from LANs or WANs:

The area of the network size is between LANs and WANs. The MAN will have a

physical area between 5 and 50 km in diameter.

MANs do not generally belong to a single organization. The equipment that

interconnects the network, the links and the MAN itself are often owned by an

association or a network provider that provides or leases the service to others.

A MAN is a means for sharing resources at high speeds within the network. It

often provides connections to WAN networks for access to resources outside the

scope of the MAN. Campus Area Network (CAN)


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A CAN or Campus Area Network is a network that is restricted to a small geographic area such

as a building complex or a college campus. It is smaller than a Metropolitan Area Network but

larger than a Local Area Network. The CAN incorporates several LANs and usually has

connections to a MAN or WAN.

Local Area Network (LAN)

Similar in many ways to WANs; Local Area Networks or LANs are responsible for connectingcomputers in a much smaller limited physical area. A good example of a LAN would be a hotel's

wireless Internet offering which is self-contained within their own facility.

There are multiple standards for Local Area Networks.

Examples include IEEE 802.3 (Ethernet), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi) or ITU-T G.hn (using existing home

wires, such as power lines, phone lines and coaxial cables). Personal Area Network (PAN)

Personal Area Network (PAN)A Personal Area Network is a network that is restricted to the area of a person's body. It is muchsmaller than Local Area Network. It typically incorporates ad hoc connections to other PANs or

directly to BlueTooth devices.

Virtual Private Network (VPN)Virtual Private Networks or VPNs are a type of network that builds on the concept of a WAN

however relies upon the internet and an encrypted connection mechanism to establish a secure

environment for internal or external employees or customers.

Client/Server Network

The Client-Server network architecture continues to be the main architectural choice for mostenterprise network computing. In a client/server environment the client (i.e. PC) relies on a LAN

to connect with a back office network server that is responsible for the connection, retrieval, and

storage of data and other critical company or personal information.

Network ComputingNetwork computing is a network architecture that has grown with the Internet and resulting

connection speeds. In a network computing architecture a computer uses its web browser to

connect to another network computer that actually is running the application. A good example

of this architecture in use is Google Docs, or Microsoft Office online. Both services allow users

the ability to login to Google or Microsoft servers respectively and work similarly to how it

would be performed on their own computing environment.

Peer-to-Peer NetworkPeer to peer networks are now beginning to be realized for the positive benefits they provide

and not as only used for the sharing of copyrighted material. Peer-to-peer networks can be

separated into two major types: Central Server and Pure.

In a central server environment one host server maintains all active connections and shared

information. When information is requested the central server informs the user where they can


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receive the file and allows the connection directly to the other PC to download. The best

example of this type was the original Napster file sharing service.

A pure peer-to-peer network type has no central server to maintain active users relies instead on

the individual computers to seek out all other computers offering the same information being

requested. A good example of this type would be BitTorrent software which allows small parts of

information to be pulled from many sources which once completed compiles into a single file.


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Q# 5Read the following scenario and answer the questions below:

Bankers Trust believes it has saved up to 50 percent of potential development

time by rewriting its internally developed global risk management system, using

object-oriented technology rather than basing it on the relational model.

The investment bank began developing its new system, based on Objects Designs

Object-store database, in March and delivered the first phase of the project in

August, when it was rolled out to 25 traders in the firms offices in London and

Newyork. The second phase, supporting a further 25 Newyork traders, is due to

follow by the end of the year. The software will be deployed across the

organization world wide over the next two years. Thousands of support staff are

expected to use it.

Colin Savery, Bankers Trusts vice president of technology, said, We needed a lot

of flexibility because a risk management application is a complex thing. Its also avery dynamic industry, so we needed the ability to extend, change, and evolve

over time, and to do it fast. Object technology is the clear paradigm to meet those

requirements.

He added that if he had based the object-oriented application on a relational

database, it would have taken 25 percent more programming time to code

persistence into it and 25 percent extra time to test the end result. This would

have added six months to the development.

But the risk involved in choosing an object database led the organization to

develop its application in the C++ language rather than use an object-based

fourth-generation language. Object-oriented databases are not employed widely

and we werent in R&D mode this is a production systems, Savery explained. We

felt, we had enough risk with the database, so we went for C++, which also

offered better performance.

Why did Colin Savery reject a relational database solution? Explain.

How did the selection of an object-oriented DBMS address Bankers Trusts

information needs?

What are the advantages and risks of an object database design?

How did Bankers Trust minimize the risks of using an object DBMS for itsnew system?

Object-oriented database management system (OODBMS), sometimes shortened to ODBMS for

object database management system), is a database management system that supports the

modelling and creation of data as objects. This includes some kind of support for classes of

objects and the inheritance of class properties and methods by subclasses and their objects.

There is currently no widely agreed-upon standard for what constitutes an, and products are

considered to be still in their infancy. In the meantime, the object-relational database


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management system, the idea that object-oriented database concepts can be superimposed on

relational databases, is more commonly encountered in available products. An object-oriented

database interface standard is being developed by an industry group, the Object Data

Management Group. The Object Management Group has already standardized an object-

oriented data brokering interface between systems in a network.

An object-oriented database management system (OODBMS) helps programmers make objects

created in a programming language behave as a database object. Object-oriented programming

is based on a series of working objects. Each object is an independently functioning application

or program, assigned with a specific task or role to perform. An object-oriented database

management system is a relational database designed to manage all of these independent

programs, using the data produced to quickly respond to requests for information by a larger

application.

Advantages:

Flexibility:They needed a lot of flexibility because a risk management application is a complex thing. Its

also a very dynamic industry, so they needed the ability to extend, change, and evolve over time,and to do it fast. Object technology is the clear paradigm to meet those requirements.

Speed:They needed the ability to extend, change, and evolve over time, and to do it fast. ODD have theability to do it fast.

Changes to SchemaThe table schema can be changed and it is not platform dependent. Therefore, the tables in the

system can be edited to add new columns and rows without hampering the applications, that

depend on that particular database.

Table JoinsThe data in two or more tables can be integrated into a single table. This enables to reduce the

size of the database and also helps in easy retrieval of data.

Data SecurityData is the most important asset. Therefore, there is a need for data security. Database

management systems help to keep the data secured.

PrivilegesDifferent privileges can be given to different users. For example, some users can edit the

database, but are not allowed to delete the contents of the database.

No Primary Keys

The user of an RDBMS has to worry about uniquely identifying tuples by their values and

making sure that no two tuples have the same primary key values to avoid error conditions. In

an OODBMS, the unique identification of objects is done behind the scenes via OIDs and is

completely invisible to the user. Thus there is no limitation on the values that can be stored in an

object.


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Data ConsistencyData consistency ensures a consistent view of data to every user. It includes the accuracy,

validity and integrity of related data. The data in the database must satisfy certain consistency

constraints, for example, the age of a candidate appearing for an exam should be of number

datatype and in the range of 20-25. When the database is updated, these constraints are

checked by the database systems.

RisksRisk involved in choosing an object database led the organization to develop its application inthe C++ language rather than use an object-based fourth-generation language.

Minimize the Risks of using an object DBMS for New System

They felt, they had enough risk with the database, so they went for C++, which also offered

better performance. So how they can minimize the risk.

Management Information System Allama IQbal Uni

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