Describe the features and functions of information systems
Features
Information systems are made up of 5 different features: Software, Hardware, People, Data and
Telecommunications.
Data: Data is one of many features of an information system, it’s a form of input which can be
produced into information. The data that’s collected must be as accurate as possible and then stored
in a logical way. After data is stored it will be used to create information that can be used for
different purposes. For example, data can be used in a purchasing department of a business so the
information will be on stock levels etc.
People: People have an important role in information systems as they manage the storage,
collection and manipulation of the data and information. However, having people involved with an
information system can lead to human errors which can later lead to having incorrect information
which can affect the business or organisation.
Hardware: Hardware refers to the specific devices which are used in information systems,
computers, servers and printers etc. The hardware that’s used in an information system depends on
how large the business or organisation is. For example, Google will have bigger servers and faster
computers than a school will have.
Software: Software is the programs and applications on a computer that’s used in a work place.
There’s software that is used to build standard information systems. However, there specialised
software that has all the common abilities of an information system. The more expensive the
software, the more abilities the information system will have then a cheaper one will.
Telecommunications: Telecommunications happened when there is information that been
produced and is need to be sent to others. Most information is shared to different parts of a
business or organisation over an intranet. However this can cause security issues and possibly break
the data protection act.
Functions
Information systems are made up of five different functions: input, storage, processing, output and
feedback loop.
Input: Input is the data that’s entered into the information system. The level of detail of this input
will vary depending on the business or organisation. For example, if the data was regarding the
number of sandwiches a supermarket sold then the data should be quite simple. Input is done in two
parts. The input of information that is stored, processed and then forms the base of the output of
the system, the user must also tell the system what kind of analysis they want from the system. This
part is usually done by the IT department and is not available to users of the business or
organisation.
Storage: Another function of an information system is to store information that the business will
use.when data is stored it should be stored at the highest detailed level possible, the IT department
of the business or organisation will make regular backups of the data, at least one copy of the
backup should be stored separately in case of a disaster.
Features
Information systems are made up of 5 different features: Software, Hardware, People, Data and
Telecommunications.
Data: Data is one of many features of an information system, it’s a form of input which can be
produced into information. The data that’s collected must be as accurate as possible and then stored
in a logical way. After data is stored it will be used to create information that can be used for
different purposes. For example, data can be used in a purchasing department of a business so the
information will be on stock levels etc.
People: People have an important role in information systems as they manage the storage,
collection and manipulation of the data and information. However, having people involved with an
information system can lead to human errors which can later lead to having incorrect information
which can affect the business or organisation.
Hardware: Hardware refers to the specific devices which are used in information systems,
computers, servers and printers etc. The hardware that’s used in an information system depends on
how large the business or organisation is. For example, Google will have bigger servers and faster
computers than a school will have.
Software: Software is the programs and applications on a computer that’s used in a work place.
There’s software that is used to build standard information systems. However, there specialised
software that has all the common abilities of an information system. The more expensive the
software, the more abilities the information system will have then a cheaper one will.
Telecommunications: Telecommunications happened when there is information that been
produced and is need to be sent to others. Most information is shared to different parts of a
business or organisation over an intranet. However this can cause security issues and possibly break
the data protection act.
Functions
Information systems are made up of five different functions: input, storage, processing, output and
feedback loop.
Input: Input is the data that’s entered into the information system. The level of detail of this input
will vary depending on the business or organisation. For example, if the data was regarding the
number of sandwiches a supermarket sold then the data should be quite simple. Input is done in two
parts. The input of information that is stored, processed and then forms the base of the output of
the system, the user must also tell the system what kind of analysis they want from the system. This
part is usually done by the IT department and is not available to users of the business or
organisation.
Storage: Another function of an information system is to store information that the business will
use.when data is stored it should be stored at the highest detailed level possible, the IT department
of the business or organisation will make regular backups of the data, at least one copy of the
backup should be stored separately in case of a disaster.
