MBA (General) - IV Semester, Information Technology and E-Business, Unit 1.1
Information System Resources
The basic IS model shows that an information system consists of five major resources, as discussed earlier. They are
Information System Resources
The basic IS model shows that an information system consists of
five major resources, as discussed earlier. They are
People resources
Hardware resources
Software resources
Data resources
Network resources
People are required for the operation of all information systems.
This people
resource includes end users and IS specialists.
End Users (also called users or clients) are people who use an
information system or the information it produces. Most of us are information system
end users. And most end users in business are knowledge workers, that is,
people who spend most of their time communicating and collaborating in teams of
workgroups and creating, using, and distributing information.
IS Specialists are people who develop and operate information
systems. They include system analysts, software developers, system operators,
and other managerial, technical, and clerical IS personnel. Systems analysts –
design information systems based on the information requirements of end users.
Software developers – create computer programs based on the specifications of
systems analysts. System operators – monitor and operate large computer systems
and networks.
Hardware Resources
Hardware resources include all physical devices and materials used
in information processing.
Machines – For example, physical devices (computers, peripherals,
telecommunications networks, etc.)
Media – For example, all tangible objects on which data are
recorded (paper, magnetic disks, etc.)
Examples of hardware in computer-based information systems are
Computer Systems which consist of central processing units
containing microprocessors, and a variety of interconnected peripheral devices.
Computer peripherals which are devices such as a keyboard or
electronic mouse for input of data and commands, a video screen or printer for
output of information, and magnetic or optical disks for storage of data
resources.
Software Resources
Software resources include all sets of information processing
instructions.
Program - A set of instructions that causes a computer to perform a
particular task.
Procedures - Set of instructions used by people to complete a task.
Application software - Programs that direct processing for a
particular use of computers by end users.
Procedures - Operating instructions for the people who will use an information system.
Data Resources
Data constitutes a valuable organizational resource. Thus, data
resources must be managed effectively to benefit all end users in an
organization. The data resources of information systems are typically organized
into
Databases - a collection of logically related records or files. A
database consolidates many records previously stored in separate files so that
a common pool of data records serves many applications.
Knowledge Bases - holds knowledge in a variety of forms such as
facts and rules of inference about various subjects.
Network Resources
Telecommunications networks like the Internet, intranets, and
extranets have become essential to the successful electronic business and
commerce operations of all types of organizations and their computer-based
information systems.
Telecommunications networks consist of computers, communications
processors, and other devices interconnected by communications media and controlled
by communications software.
The concept of network resources emphasizes that communications
networks are a fundamental resource component of all information systems.
Network resources include
Communications media (twisted-pair wire, coaxial cable, fiber-optic
cable, and microwave, cellular, and satellite wireless systems).
