Information systems and technology
Organisations utilise systems to manage data and information
A system is a collection of interrelated parts combined for a common purpose
An information system is a set of people, procedures and resources that collects, transforms and disseminates information in an organisation
The system accepts data resources as input and processes them into information profits as output
Earlier organisations made use of manual, paper based information systems
In the 70s and 80s they gained a competitive advantage by applying computers and technology to create computer based information systems
A computer based information system is an information system that uses computer hardware and software to perform its information processing activites
Porter and Millar (1985) highlighted how information and associated systems can give an organisation a source of competitive advantage, particularly in terms of cost savings and differentiation - they noted that is hard to underestimate the strategic significance of new information technology
Technology is transforming the nature of products, processes, organisations, industries and even competition itself
Information technology - The development, maintenance and use of computer systems, software and networks for the processing and distribution of data
Information technology comprises the technical components of an information system
Information and communication technology is a phrase used to describe a range of technologies for gathering, storing, retrieving, processing, analysing and transmitting information and is often used as an alternative term for information technology but is a more specific term that stresses the role of integrated telecommunications with computing hardware and software
Organisation usually designate a specific function for the development, maintenance and control of its technology assets
Technology roles, specialisms and componentns
The chief information officer is the highest ranking corporate officer in charge of information systems and technology
The role is focused internally and the CIO need not to be a technology specialist but does need to understand how and where technology needs to be applied within the organisation to ensure the business remains effective
A chief technology officer also holds a senior role within an information system function focusing externally on customer and supporting organisation's needs, ensuring that the architecture of the organisation's technology enables the organisation to remain competitive
A CTO requires a more technical background than that of a CIO and is focused on the technology sold to or used by customers
There are a number of differing specialisms pithing an IT function
Application development which is concerned with developing software and systems to meet business needs
Application management involves the ongoing support of an organisations systems
Business intelligence responsible for database design and transforming data into meaningful information
Information security which is tasked with mitigating cyber risk and enforcing technology related policies and standard
Network administration which manages the underlying infrastructure, data centres and networks used by the organisation's information systems
Systems analysis which interfaces between the business and technical developers to ascertain the required specifications for application and system design
End user support which provides technical troubleshooting and support to the employees using the organisations systems
Business information system: Specific information system used to support business
BIS is a set of interrelated components that work together to collect inputs (data), process and generate outputs to support forecasting, planning, control, co-ordination, decision making and operational activities within an organisation
Computerised BIS have become widespread as they offer advantages of speed, accuracy and dependability over their manual information system predecessors, such systems may enable or replace humans at work