Systems Analysis and Design Chapter 1 Questions
Define an information system and describe its components
An information system combines information technology, people, and data to support business requirements. An information system has five key components. The first is HARDWARE, which consists of everything in the physical layer of the information system, such as servers, workstations, networks, fiber-optic cables, scanners, handheld computers, digital capture devices, and telecommunications equipment and other technology-based infrastructure. The second component is SOFTWARE, which refers to the programs that control the hardware and produce the desired information or results. Software consists of system software, which manages the hardware, and applications software, which supports the day-to-day business functions and provide users with the information they need. DATA, the third component, refers to the raw material that is transformed into useful information. The fourth component, PROCESSES, describe the tasks and functions that users, managers, and IT staff members perform to achieve specific business results. Processes represent actual day-to-day business operations, and thus are considered the building blocks of an information system. The final component of an information system consists of the PEOPLE who use the information system, who are called users, or end users.
Identify various types of information systems and explain who uses them
At one point, it was general practice for IT managers was to divide systems into categories based on the user group the system served. Today, systems are identified on the basis of their functions and features, rather than by those who use them. Enterprise computing systems are information systems that support company-wide operations and data management requirements. Examples of such company-wide operations include production, sales, services, inventory control, and accounting. Enterprise computing integrates IT into a company's primary functions to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and help managers make key decisions. Large companies may use applications called ENTERPRISE RESOURCE PLANNING (ERP) systems to provide cost-effective support for users and managers throughout the company. TRANSACTION PROCESSING (TP) systems process data generated by day-to-day operations of a business, such as accounts receivable, warranty claim processing, and customer order processing. BUSINESS SUPPORT SYSTEMS offer job-related information support to users at all levels of a company. KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS, also called expert systems, simulate human reasoning in order to provide information. Knowledge management systems combine a knowledge base and inference rules that determine how the knowledge is applied. A knowledge base is a large database that allows users to search for information by entering keywords or questions in normal English phrases. User productivity systems are systems that are used by employees at all levels to improve productivity. E-mail, voice mail, fax, video conferencing, word processing, automated calendars, database management, spreadsheets, desktop publishing, presentation graphics, company intranets, and high-speed Internet access are all examples of USER PRODUCTIVITY SOFTWARE.
Explain how profiles and models can represent business functions and operations
Business process modeling requires a business profile and a series of models that document various business processes. A business profile is an overview that describes a company's overall functions. The business profile often includes processes, organization, products, services, customers, suppliers, competitors, constraints, and future direction. Business models enable managers and systems analysts to understand day-to-day business operations. A business model is a graphical representation of one or more business processes that a company performs. A business processes describes a specific set of transactions, events, tasks, and results performed by the firm. As the business world changes, systems analysts can look forward to working in new kinds of companies that require innovative IT solutions, including Web-based systems that serve customers and carry out online transactions with other businesses.
Discuss the role of the information technology department and the systems analysts who work there
IT Department develops and maintains information systems. The IT group provides technical support. APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT - provides leadership and overall guidance, SYSTEMS SUPPORT AND SECURITY - provides vital protection and maintenance services for system hardware, USER SUPPORT - provides users with technical information, training, and productivity, DATABASE ADMINISTRATION - involves data design, management, security, backup, and access, NETWORK ADMINISTRATION - depend on networks that enable company-wide information systems. Hardware and software maintenance, support, and security, WEB SUPPORT - design and construct web pages, monitor traffic, manage hardware and software, and link web-based applications to the company's information systems, and QUALITY ASSURANCE - reviews and tests all applications and systems changes to verify specifications and software quality standards
Discuss the impact of information technology on business strategy and success
Information technology, or IT, is a term that refers to the combination of hardware and software products and services that people use to manage, access, communicate, and share information. Most businesses give information technology a high priority, and for good reason. A report generated by the U.S. Department of Commerce, stated that nearly half of the U.S. workforce will be employed by industries that are either major producers or intensive users of information technology products and services. IT has created a new economy where advances in hardware, software, and connectivity are capable of providing unprecedented benefits to businesses and individuals globally. During periods of economic growth, companies cannot afford to lag behind the IT curve, and when the economy is weak, many companies depend on IT to reduce operating costs and improve business efficiency.
Explain how the internet has affected business strategies and relationships
Internet-based commerce is called e-commerce (electronic commerce) or I-commerce (Internet commerce). E-commerce includes two main sectors called B2C, or business-to-consumer and B2B, or business-to-business. The B2C shopping environment allows customers to do research, compare prices and features, check availability, arrange delivery, and choose payment methods in a single convenient session. The increase in B2C marketing has created strong competition among Web designers who create the sites that boost online sales. B2B enables companies to access the global marketplace, allowing greater access to information and opportunities for cost control. Online trading marketplaces initially were developed as company-to-company data-sharing arrangements called electronic data interchange (EDI) which enables computer-to-computer transfer of data between companies, usually over private telecommunications networks. As B2B volume increased, the development of extensible markup language (XML) enabled company-to-company traffic to migrate to the Internet, which offered standard protocols, universal availability, and low communication costs. XML is a flexible data description language that allows Web-based communication between different hardware and software environments. Industry observers predict that B2B sales will soar sharply in the future as more firms use advanced technology to improve efficiency and lower their acquisition costs. A simple Internet-based system model is a series of Web pages that provides a user interface which communicates with one or more levels of data management software and a Web-based database server. The growth in the number and size of Internet-based systems will expand career opportunities for IT professionals.
Explain modeling, prototyping, and CASE tools
MODELING - produces a graphical representation of a concept or process that systems developers can analyze, test, and modify. PROTOTYPING - tests system concepts and provides an opportunity to examine output, and user interfaces before final decisions are made. A prototype is an early working version of an information system. CASE TOOLS - computer-aided systems engineering is a technique that uses powerful software to help systems analysts develop and maintain information systems. They provide an overall framework for systems development and support a wife variety of design methodologies, including structured analysis and object-oriented analysis.
Distinguish between structured analysis and object-oriented analysis
STRUCTURED ANALYSIS represents the system in terms of data and the processes that act upon that data. Organized into phases, with deliverables and milestones to measure progress. OBJECT-ORIENTED ANALYSIS views the system in terms of objects that combine data and processes. The object represent actual people, things, transactions, and events. O-O is more interactive.
Compare the systems development life cycle waterfall model to adaptive models
Waterfall model deals more with phases and it goes from one to the next. It builds an overall pan. Adaptive models attempt to develop a system incrementally by building a series of prototypes and constantly adjusting them to user requirements.
Systems Analysts
investigates, analyzes, designs, and develops, installs ,evaluates, and maintains a company's information systems. Constantly interacts with users and managers within and outside the company.
