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Module 5.6.2

Designing Computer-based Information Systems

Characteristics of modern computer based information

systems


Characteristics of Modern Computer-based Information Systems

All computer systems consist of these main parts:

Input Processing

Output

Storage

Feedback



The Input relates to the hardware necessary to input the data into system. For example:

– Keyboard– Monitor– Mouse– Touch screen– microphone



It also relates to the software required to enable you to input the data. For example:– User Interface

• Command line• Menu• GUI

– Operating System– Specific application software



The data may be entered via a variety of devices, for example:

– Personal Computer– P.D.A.– W.A.P. phone



• Once the data has been input into the system, it must be processed.

• The input data is processed, converted or manipulated in some way to become information

• As part of the processing, the data held may be updated



• The processing method may be:– Real time– Interactive– Batch

• The medium being used may be:– Serial– Sequential– Random– Indexed sequential

• The method used will affect the response time of the system



• Once the data has been processed, it usually requires hardware to output the results:

• Monitor• Printed• Voice • Text on a phone



• All systems need to be backed up to ensure that the data is kept secure against theft, damage, loss or corruption.

• Typical storage media might include:– Magnetic tape– Removable hard disk– DVD-RW



• A school information system might store details such as:– Student’s names– Addresses– Emergency contact number– Date of birth– Allergies– Timetable– Records of achievement or concerns– Exam results– Reports to parents



• Hardware which would be required for such a system:– Computers for people to enter data and access the

system– A network– File server to store the system and data

• Software which would be required for such a system:– An operating system– A user interface– The application itself



• Processing which would take place in such a system:– Searching for details on individual students– Merging student data into the report forms– Creating automatic alerts for students who

have too many ‘causes for concern’– Finding sets of students

who need to be entered for an examination



• Output from such a system would require hardware such as:– Monitors to view the results of the

searches/queries– Printers to print out class lists, timetables,

exam entries, reports to parents– Automated telephone call to inform parents

that their child is not in school



• Storage which would be used to support this system:– Daily backups onto magnetic tape so that the

system can be recovered– Archived storage to keep records of students

which have left – possibly magnetic tape or DVD.



• An information system in a doctor’s surgery might store details such as:------



• Hardware and software which might be required for input with this system might include:------



• Processing which might take place with this system might include:------



• Output from this system might include:---

• Hardware which might be required to support the output from this system might include:---



• Storage for such a system might include:---



Modern computer based systems need certain characteristics in order to make them user friendly:

• User interface– WIMP interface– Easy to use– Interactive – Informative buttons, labels, error messages– Intuitive to use

These are the key points for this section –

the characteristics



• Use modern technology – E.g. Touch screen– Voice input

• Rapid response– Of input, processing and output– So customer is not kept waiting

• Robust– Not easy for staff or customers to damage or

delete data– secure

These are the key points for this section –

the characteristics



Many developments in technology have helped to encourage the growth and usage of information systems:

• Personal computers• Modern telephone systems – including

mobiles and W.A.P.• Networks• Satellite links• PDAs



• Video conferencing• Easy access to the Internet• Ability to access and transfer large

amounts of data quickly and accurately between offices around the world

• Ability to update systems in in real-time no matter where you are in the country – banks and bank accounts, booking systems

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