Introduction to Management Information Systems

1. Introduction to Management Information Systems Lecture 1: Why IS Matter – Introductory thoughts and goals J.-S. Rayson Chou, P.E., Ph.D. Assistant Professor

2. Agenda • 1. Define and understand the term Information Systems (IS) • 2. Explain the technology, people, and organizational components of information systems • 3. Describe the types of jobs and career opportunities in information systems and related fields

3. Agenda (Cont’d) • 4. Describe the various types of information systems • Describe the dual nature of information systems in the success and future of modern organizations • 6. Understand and plan for the future of managing IS

4. What are Information Systems? - A combination of technical components - Built and used by people to collect, create, and distribute useful data - Used typically in organizational settings but are evolving for personal use

5. Data People Information Systems Telecommunications Hardware Software Information Systems Components: Data • The raw inputs for entry into information systems • Organized, processed and stored by an IS to support user information needs • Provides basis for qualitative/quantitative analysis

6. Data People Information Systems Telecommunications Hardware Software Information Systems Components: Hardware • The physical components of information systems • Hardware components include processors, input and output devices, and storage devices (Pentium 4) • Typical configurations based on application include micro, mid-range, mainframe, and super computers

7. Data People Information Systems Telecommunications Hardware Software Information Systems Components: Software • The instructions that operate the information system • System software controls the hardware (WindowsXP) • Application software allows user tasks to perform specific tasks to increased productivity (MS Word)

8. Data People Information Systems Telecommunications Hardware Software Information Systems Components: Telecommunications • The communication mechanism of information systems • Allows two or more computers to communicate (Internet) • Utilizes standard protocols for IS communication

9. People: Levels of the Organization • Executive Information Systems • Decision Support Systems (both levels) • Management Information Systems • Transaction Processing Systems • Expert Systems • Functional Area Information Systems • (Across all levels within a function)

10. Information System Is A System

11. Information Society Evolution: Periods of Change Informational Industrial Agricultural (1960’s to Present) (1890’s to 1960’s) (Prior to 1890’s)

12. Information Society Evolution: Terms and Issues Information Society 1960 2000 • New Economy (Wired Magazine - Late 1990s) • Similar to “knowledge society” but more descriptive • Describes a society where people use their brains more than their hands in their work and personal lives • Where communications technology and other IT systems will create global competition for all products and services • Other names: Digital Economy, Network Era, Internet Era

13. Digital Economy – “New” Economy • E-Business: The use of electronic technologies to transact business. • Collaboration: People and Organizations interact, communicate, collaborate and search for information • Information Exchange: Storing, processing and transmission of information.

14. Digital Business Telecommunications Networks Field Sales Internet Consumer In-office

15. The Old Economy – Taking Photo’s • Buy film in a store • Load your camera • Take pictures • Take roll of film to store for processing • Pickup the film when ready • Select specific photos for enlargement • Mail to family and friends

16. The New Economy – Taking Photo’s • 1st Generation Digital Photography • Old economy except 6 and 7 were replaced by using a scanner and emailing • 2nd Generation Digital Photography • Use a Digital Camera, no film, no processing. • 3rd Generation Digital Photography • Your Digital Camera is now your mobile phone, in your binoculars or a palmtop computer.

17. Forms of Technology Technology – any mechanical and/or electrical means to supplement, extend, or replace human manual operations Examples: building heating/cooling systems, car brakes, etc. Information Technology – any machine technology that is controlled by or uses information for operation Example: a programmable industrial robot receiving instructions from a computer-based database Computer- based Information Systems – any computer-based technology that provides information for use by persons or machines to make decisions or control processes Example: Software that controls CD burning hardware

18. Information Systems: Turn Data into Information Data Information • Raw material • Unformatted information • Generally has no context • Processed material • Formatted information • Data given context Individual time cards for factory workers entered into the payroll system Department Labor Report, Project Status Report, Employee Payroll Checks Examples

19. Computer Based Information System • Hardware • Software • Data • Network • Procedures • People Application Hardware Software Data People More than hardware and software

20. Typical Careers in Information Systems Careers in information systems require high technical competence and generally pay well