AN INTRODUCTION TO NFORMATION SYSTEM

Question 1

system

Answer 1

A set of elements or
components that interact to
accomplish goals.

Question 2

Components

of a System

Answer 2

• input
• processing
• output

Question 3

How to measure a system

Answer 3

1. efficiency

A measure of what
is produced divided by what is
consumed

2.effectiveness

 A measure of the 
extent to which a system achieves 
its goals; it can be computed 
by dividing the goals actually 
achieved by the total of the stated 
goals

3. system performance standard

A specific objective of the system.

Question 4

information system (IS)

Answer 4

A set 
of interrelated components that 
collect, manipulate, store and 
disseminate information and 
provide a feedback mechanism to 
meet an objective.

Question 5

Input

Answer 5

The activity of gathering and capturing data

Question 6

processing

Answer 6

converting or transforming input into useful outputs

Question 7

output

Answer 7

Production of useful
information, often in the form
of documents and reports

Question 8

feedback

Answer 8

Output that is used
to make changes to input or
processing activities

Question 9

forecasting

Answer 9

Predicting future

events

Question 10

characteristics of valuable information

Answer 10

1.Accessible Information - should be easily accessible by authorized users so they can obtain it
in the right format and at the right time to meet their needs

2.Accurate Accurate - information is error free. In some cases, inaccurate information is
generated because inaccurate data is fed into the transformation process

3. Complete - Complete information contains all the important facts, but not more facts than 
are necessary (see the Simple characteristic below)

4. Economical Information - should also be relatively economical to produce. Decision makers
   must always balance the value of information with the cost of producing it
5. Flexible Flexible information can be used for a variety of purposes. For example,
   information on how much inventory is on hand for a particular part can be
   used by a sales representative in closing a sale, by a production manager to
   determine whether more inventory is needed, and by a financial executive to
   determine the total value the company has invested in inventory
6. Relevant Relevant information is important to the decision maker
7. Reliable Reliable information can be depended on. In many cases, the reliability of the
   information depends on the reliability of the data-collection method. In other
   instances, reliability depends on the source of the information. A rumour from
   an unknown source that oil prices might go up soon may not be reliable (even
   though it might be useful)
8. Secure Information should be secure from access by unauthorized users
9. Simple Information should be simple, not overly complex. Sophisticated and detailed
   information might not be needed. In fact, too much information can cause
   information overload, whereby a decision maker is unable to determine what is
   really important
10. Timely Timely information is delivered when it is needed. Knowing last week’s weather
    conditions will not help when trying to decide what coat to wear today

11 . Verifiable Information should be verifiable. This means that you can check it to make sure
it is correct, perhaps by checking many sources for the same information

Question 11

computer-based information

system (CBIS)

Answer 11

A single set of 
hardware, software, databases, 
telecommunications, people 
and procedures that is configured 
to collect, manipulate, store and 
process data into information.

Question 12

technology infrastructure

Answer 12

All the 
hardware, software, databases, 
telecommunications, people and 
procedures that are configured 
to collect, manipulate, store and 
process data into informatio

Question 13

The
Components of a
Computer-Based
Information System

Answer 13

1. hardware Any machinery (most 
of which uses digital circuits) that 
assists in the input, processing, 
storage and output activities of an 
information system.

2. software The computer programs
   that govern the operation of the
   compute
3. database An organized collection
   of electronic information.

4. telecommunications The 
electronic transmission of signals 
for communications; enables 
organizations to carry out their 
processes and tasks through 
effective computer networks

5. networks Computers and 
equipment that are connected 
in a building, around the country 
or around the world to enable 
electronic communications

6. People
   People are the most important element in most computer-based information systems. The
   people involved include users of the system and information systems personnel, including all the
   people who manage, run, program and maintain the system.
7. procedures The strategies,
   policies, methods and rules for
   using a CBIS

Question 14

internet

Answer 14

Internet The world’s largest 
computer network, actually 
consisting of thousands of 
interconnected networks, all freely 
exchanging information

Question 15

cloud computing

Answer 15

cloud computing A computing 
environment where software and 
storage are provided as an Internet 
service and are accessed via a 
web browser

Question 16

intranets

Answer 16

intranets An internal company 
network built using Internet and 
World Wide Web standards and 
products that allows people within 
an organization to exchange 
information and work on projects

Question 17

extranet

Answer 17

extranet A network based on web 
technologies that allows selected 
outsiders, such as business 
partners, suppliers or customers, 
to access authorized resources of 
a company’s intranet