Introduction to Is

Course Coverage

DIS 601: Management Information Systems
A Karwega [e-mail] [e-mail]

Lectures
Meeting Time: Fridays 5:30-8:30 Quizzes 5%

Assignment Project CAT Examination

5% 10% 10% 70% 100%
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Reference Texts
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Foundations of Information Systems – Vladimir Zwass Information Systems for Management – James A O’Brien Computer Programming Concepts and Visual Basic – David I Schneider

01. Introduction to Information Systems

+ Any other text or website with relevant material
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What is an Information System?
An organized set of components for collecting, transmitting, storing and processing data. Aim: To deliver this information for action Many types of IS exist: manual, word-ofmouth, grapevine etc Computer Based information system (CBIS): an information system that uses computer technology to perform some or all of its intended tasks.
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Data, Information and Knowledge
Data = Raw facts; An elementary description of things, events, activities and transactions that are recorded and stored, but are not organized to convey any specific meaning. Information = data that have been organized so that they have meaning and value to the recipient.

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Data, Information and Knowledge
Knowledge: Data and/or information that have been organized and processed to convey understanding, experience, accumulated learning, and expertise as to apply to a current problem or activity. Processing = Value-adding transformation from one form to the other
Has a context

Data Processing
Activities that organize, analyze and manipulate data converting it to information => knowledge etc. Include:
Calculating Comparing Sorting; Arranging Classifying Summarizing Filtering; Selecting
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Components of an IS
Hardware: Micros, Minis, mainframes, their peripherals. Software: Programs Telecommunications and Networks: LANs, MANs, WANs Databases: Organized collections of data used by applications software Human