What capabilities do you expect from an information system?

Answer 1

Information is the finished product for which data is the raw material. In other words, information can also be said as processed data which is used to trigger certain actions or gain understanding of what the data implies. Broad level classification of such an Information system can be done as: i) Hardware ii) Software iii) Databases, and, iv) Communication Systems Hardware is a set of devices such as processors, monitors, keyboard and printer that accept data and process them and display them. Hardware of a computer is infrequently changed. Software is a general term for the various kinds of programs used to operate computers and related devices. Database is an integral part of the IT system, which is a collection of related files, tables, relations etc. that stores the data and the association among them. Network connects computing resources of an organization and facilitates sharing of hardware and software. The technology has undergone drastically changes during last few years. The improved technology has been the key factor making better computing devices. Along with improvement in Computer technology, the communication technology has also improved in parallel. The information system can be classified based on expectations as stated below: # Transaction processing system # Decision Support System # Executive Information System # Management Information System # Work Flow System # Enterprise Resource Planning # Expert systems Transaction processing system (TPS): A TPS is ideally expected to perform the task of record keeping required in any organization to conduct the business. Examples of TPS are Sales Order Entry, Payroll, Banking, Shipping etc. TPS is also used for generating reports on demand as well as exception reports. Decision Support System (DSS): Decision support systems are a class of computer-based information systems including knowledge based systems that support decision making activities. A DSS can take many different forms. In general, we can say that a DSS is a computerized system for helping make decisions. A decision is a choice between alternatives based on estimates of the values of those alternatives. Supporting a decision means helping people working alone or in a group gather intelligence, generate alternatives and make choices. Supporting the choice making process involves supporting the estimation, the evaluation and/or the comparison of alternatives. In practice, references to DSS are usually references to computer applications that perform such a supporting role. Executive Information System (EIS): EIS is a type of management information system intended to facilitate and support the information and decision making needs of senior executives by providing easy access to both internal and external information relevant to meeting the strategic goals of the organization. It is commonly considered as a specialized form of a Decision Support System (DSS). EIS is expected to do trend analysis, exception reporting and has drill down capabilities. At times it is also expected to have online analysis tools. Management Information System (MIS): MIS refers broadly to a computer-based system that provides managers with the tools for organizing, evaluating and efficiently running their departments. In order to provide past, present and prediction information, an MIS can include software that helps in decision making, data resources such as databases, the hardware resources of a system, decision support systems, people management and project management applications, and any computerized processes that enable the department to run efficiently. Within companies and large organizations, the department responsible for computer systems is sometimes called the MIS department. Other names for MIS include IS (Information Services) and IT (Information Technology). Work Flow System: A Workflow management system is software that helps to define,administrate and coordinate different business processes. In every company exists a variety of such 'Workflows', always involving several employees. An easy Workflow, for example, for which you actually do not need a Workflow management system, could trigger an application for vacation, because employees from different departments have to agree. ERP: ERP is a set of integrated programs capable of managing a company's vital business operations for an entire multi-site global organization. Expert System: An expert system is a software system that incorporates concepts derived from experts in a field and uses their knowledge to provide problem analysis to users of the software. The most common form of expert system is a computer program, with a set of rules, that analyzes information (usually supplied by the user of the system) about a specific class of problems, and recommends one or more courses of user action. The expert system may also provide mathematical analysis of the problem(s). The expert system utilizes what appears to be reasoning capabilities to reach conclusions.

Answer 2

Not to sound rude or anything, but I would assume it is the major tasks the system is capable of.