INTRODUCTION TO
INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Safia Bal-Bourai
s_bourai@esi.dz
2CP 2024-2025
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CHAPTER1
Introduction to Systems and Information Systems (IS)
1. System Concepts
2. Information Concepts and Analysis Tools
3. Information Systems
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Information Systems (IS)
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Objectives
• Understand the concept of Information Systems
(IS)
• Discover the essential components of an IS
• Understand the diversity of IS
• Understand how information systems (IS) work
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Content
• Definitions
• Components of IS
• Applications of IS
• Activities of IS
Notion d’un Système d’Information (SI)
• IS in organizations
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Definitions
‘’An information system is an organized set of resources:
hardware, software, personnel, data and procedures
enabling the acquisition, processing, storage and
communication of information (in the form of data, text,
images, sound, etc.) within organizations’’ (R.Reix, 1998)
‘’The function of an information system is to produce and
record (store) information-representations of the activity
of the operating system, and then to make them available,
generally as interactively as possible, to the decision-
making system’’ (Jl Le Moigne, 1987)
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Components of Information System
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Users
❑ End-users
❑ IS specialists.
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End-users
Also known as users or
customers, these are
the people who use an
information system or
the information it
produces.
They may be customers,
salespeople, engineers,
accountants, etc., or
managers at all levels
of an organization.
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IS specialists (You)
� They are people who
develop and operate
information systems.
� They include:
- systems analysts
- software developers,
- system operators,
- etc.
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Hardware
Hardware refers to equipment,
including computer hardware: all
spare parts for computer
equipment. More broadly, hardware
refers to information carriers,
networks and all their
components.
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Types of computer systems
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Personal hardware
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Computer server
The most common services are:
• file sharing;
• access to business applications;
• Internet access;
• e-mail;
• printer sharing;
• database storage;
...
� Servers handle multiple users simultaneously
and require more computing power than
personal computers. They are housed in
ventilated and secure premises.
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Main Frame
- High-power computer
processing power,
- Used in very large companies
(banks, insurance companies,
airlines, service companies, etc.).
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Data center
• A physical site where the equipment making
up the company's information system is located
(mainframes, servers, storage bays, network
and telecommunications equipment, etc.).
• Internal and/or external to the company
Operated or not with the support of service
providers
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Computer network
• A set of equipment linked together to exchange
information.
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Computer network
Printer
Telephone
Backup unit network
Internet
Modem
Multifunction Printer
Wireless access point
Hub
Laptop Desktop computer
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Applications of IS
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Applications of IS: Examples
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Management IS
Industrial IS
Logistics and Transport IS
The Software as a Service (SaaS)
• Software as a Service
(SaaS), is a software
distribution model. It
allows a third-party
provider to host
applications and make
them available to
customers via the Internet.
• A SaaS application can be
used by thousands or even
millions of end users
simultaneously since it is
stored in the Cloud.
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Activities of Information System
1. Input of Data Resources
2. Process Data into Information
3. Output of Information
Input of Data Resources
Data entry
Editing
Machine readable
Source documents
User interface
Process Data into Information
Calculate
Compare
Sort
Classify
Summarize
…
The quality of the data must be maintained by
a continual process of correcting and updating
activities.
Output of Information
Transmit information to users
Display, paper, audio,…
Storage of data
Data are retained in an organized manner (Fields,
records, files, data bases,…
Control of system performance
Feedback must be monitored and evaluated to
determine if the information system is meeting
established performance standards.
Information Systems in
organizations
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What is an organization?
An organization is a group of people that is
structured and managed to meet its mission
or a set of group goals.
Figure 1: General model of an organization
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OID Model
▪ Organization as a SYSTEM
▪ To achieve its objectives, the organization evolves its OS, DS,
and IS.
Decision System (DS)
- Strategic planning
- Decision making Decision system
- Market analysis
Information System (IS)
Information - Data collection
Operating System (OS) system - Data processing
- Production processes - Communication flow
- Daily operations
Operating system
- Resource management
Figure 2: OID Model
Systems theory defines the support for steering a system as the purpose
of the information system.
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Example: A production company
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Main purposes of an IS
1. Decision-making support
The IS provides decision-makers with the
necessary information for decision-making. To
achieve this objective, the IS delivers information
about the future.
Example: Sales and turnover forecasts for the
next six months, enabling you to assess the
expected results of sales decisions taken.
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Main purposes of an IS
2. Controlling the organization’s evolution
The IS can be used to detect internal
malfunctions and abnormal situations.
To achieve this objective, the IS must act as the
organization's “collective memory”, keeping track of
information relating to the past.
Example: The documents produced by the general
accounting department (balance sheet, income
statement, …) describe the company's situation in
relation to its past activity.
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Main purposes of an IS
3. Coordination of the company's activities,
particularly the operating system. To achieve
this objective, the IS provides information about
the present.
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Types of Information Systems
The knowledge level: the transaction
processing systems (TPS) at the
operational level. Next are the office
automation systems (OAS) and
knowledge work systems (KWS).
The management level: the
management information systems (MIS)
and decision support systems (DSS).
The strategic level: the executive
support systems (ESS).
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1. Transaction Processing System
(TPS)
Transaction processing is essential to helping businesses
perform daily operations. Transactions are any activity
or event affecting the company.
Example
A point-of-sale (POS) system used in retail stores, where
each sale is recorded and processed immediately,
updating inventory levels and generating a receipt for
the customer.
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2. Office Automation System
(OAS)
OAS comprises computers, communication -related
technology, and personnel assigned to perform
official tasks. It covers office transactions and
supports official activity at every level in the
organization.
Example:
Microsoft Office Suite, where tools like Word, and
Excel help employees automate tasks such as
document creation, data analysis and email
communication, improving overall productivity.
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3. Knowledge Work System (KWS)
The KWS is a specialized system that expedites
knowledge creation and ensures the business's technical
skills and knowledge are correctly applied. The
Knowledge Work System aids workers in creating and
disseminating new information using graphics,
communication and document management tools.
Example
CAD (Computer-Aided Design) is used by software
engineers and architects to design and test structures,
enabling knowledge workers to create detailed models
and simulations.
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4. Management Information
System (MIS)
Middle managers handle much of the administrative
chores for day-to-day routines and performance
monitoring, ensuring that all the work is aligned with
the organization's needs.
That's why MIS is such a valuable tool. MI systems are
designed to help middle managers and supervisors
make decisions, plan, and control the workflow.
Example
Sales management systems, Human resource management
system.
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5. Decision Support System (DSS)
The DSS is a management-level, interactive, computer-based
information system that helps managers make decisions.
The Decision Support System gives middle managers the
information necessary to make informed,intelligent
decisions.
DSS use different decision models to analyze or summarize
large amounts of data into an easy-to-use form that makes it
easier for managers to compare and analyze information.
Often, these summaries take the form of charts and tables.
Example
Financial planning systems, Bank loan management systems.
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6. Executive Support System (ESS)
The ESS is like the MIS but for executive-level decision-making.
Because the decisions involve company-wide matters, the stakes are
higher.
The ESS provides greater telecommunication, better computing
capabilities, and more efficient display options than the DSS.
Executives use ESS to make effective decisions based on
summarized internal data taken from DSS, MIS and external
sources. In addition, executive support systems help monitor
performances, track competitors, spot opportunities and forecast
future trends.
Example
A dashboard system that provides CEOs with a real-time overview of
key performance indicators (KPIs) such as sales revenue, market
share and customer satisfaction.
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Interrelationship among information systems
Figure 3 : Interrelationship among information systems
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To remember …
Organization objectives
Organization processes
Information Systems
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