Introduction

to
Information
Technology

Course Assessment
Quizs and Assignments

20%

Presentation

15%

Mid Term

25%

Final Exam

40%

Total = 100%

Policies
Turn off your cell phone during lecture
You are responsible for what is covered
in class even if you dont show up
Deficiency in attendance may lead to
termination or relegation
You are encouraged to help each other
with your homework assignments but
you must turn in your own work
If you are found to be cheating, you
will fail at least the assignment / test
and perhaps the entire class

Policies
If you have any learning disabilities
or special needs, please let me know
in advance through email or personal
meeting
Every second lecture there will be an
Assignment which you will submit in
next class
Quizzes are unannounced

Lecture # 1
Introducing Computer
Systems

Information Technology
The branch of Engineering that deals
with the use of Computers and
Telecommunications to retrieve,
store and transmit information
Any computer based tool that people
use to work with information &
support the information &
information processing needs of an
organization

Information Technology
Technology
A set of tools that enables you to
work more efficiently and effectively
with information
Rationally speaking people and
information are the most important
resources within MIS, not Technology

Understanding Your Computer

The purpose of a computer is to process data

into information.

Data
The raw facts and
figures that are
processed into
information

Information
Data that has been summarized
or otherwise manipulated for
use in decision making

What is Data?
Definition-1:
A collection of raw facts that describes a
phenomenon
Examples
Current temperature
Price of a movie rental
Your age etc.
Definition-2:
A message which source wants to communicate to
the receiver
e.g Text, Voice, Image, movies, Music etc

What Is Information?
Definition:

It has the particular meaning within a specific

context

Every surprising/new thing is information

Reduction of redundancy in data
For example if you are trying to decide
what to wear, the current temperature is
information because it is logical help to
your decision.

Data Vs. Information

What are data and information?

Data
Collection of raw
unprocessed facts,
figures, and symbols
from various sources

Information
Data that is
organized,
meaningful, and
useful

Informati Technolog
on A set
y of tools that
Facts
presente
d in a
meaningf
ul
fashion.

enables us to work
with information

Hardware

Input devices
Output devices
Telecommunicati
on devices
Storage devices

Software

Application software
e.g.MS-office S/W,
media software,
business software
System software
e.g. operating
system software,
utility software

Personal
Computer
s
Wireless
Networks
Satellites

Information Technology
Technical definition:

The capability to electronically

input, process, store, output,
transmit, and receive data and
information, including text,
graphics, sound, and video, as
well as the ability to control
machines of all kinds
electronically.

Dimension of Information
Personal
Time:- Access to info when you need it
and information that describes the time
period you are considering
Location:- Access to information no
matter where you are
Form:- Information in a form that is
most usable and understandable and
information that is free of errors
e.g Audio, Text, Video, Animation, Graph,
Defective products etc

Dimension of Information
Organizational
Information Flows:- Up, Down, Horizontal,
inward/outward
{(Strategies, goals, directives), (Current State
of the Organization), (Relation b/w Functional
unites and work teams), (Customers, Suppliers,
Partners)}
What Information Describes:Internal (specific operational aspects)
External (Surrounding environment)
Objective (Something known)

Benefits of IT

Benefits of IT
Speed
Computers can perform complex
calculations, recall stored
information, transmit information
from one location to another in a
split of a second.

Consistency
A computer can perform a task the
same way every time.

Benefits of IT
Precision
Computers can detect minute
differences that people can not see.
In automobile manufacturing
embedded computer system helps
precise placement of a part.

Reliability
Reliability comes with speed,
consistency and precision

What is a System?
A system is
A set of interrelated components
With a clearly defined boundary
Working together
To achieve a common set of objectives
By accepting inputs and producing
outputs
In an organized transformation process

Basic Functions of a System

Input
Capturing and assembling elements that
enter the system to be processed
Processing
Transformation process that converts
input into output
Output
Transferring transformed elements to
their ultimate destination

What is an Information System?

An organized combination of
People
Hardware and software
Communication networks
Data resources
Policies and procedures
This system
Stores, retrieves, transforms, and
disseminates information in an organization

What is an Information System?

A system that collects, processes,
stores, analyzes, and disseminates
information.
Calculations

Data
Instructions

Collect
Inputs

Process
And
Transform

Store

Produce
Outputs

Reports

IS---Examples
Online bill payment system at
a bank
A support website of a product
Computer system used to
process orders for a business

Management Information System

(MIS)
Technical definition:

MIS deals with the planning for,

development, management, and

use of information technology
tools to help people perform all
tasks related to information
processing and management.

What Makes Information Useful?

It is relevant
It is accurate
Free of errors

It is complete
Includes everything
needed

It is flexible
Can be viewed in
various ways

It is reliable
Results are always
consistent

Applies to the issue

under study

It is timely

Available when
needed

It is verifiable

Basis for results can

be traced

It is accessible

All those who need

the information can
get to it

It is secure

Free from
contamination
(accidental or
deliberate)

What Should Business

Professionals Know?

Measuring IT Success
Efficiency
Minimize cost, time, and use of
information resources
Effectiveness
Support business strategies
Enable business processes
Enhance organizational structure and
culture
Increase customer and business value

Developing IS Solutions

Components of an IS

Where Computers Are Used:

Education
Teaching and
testing aid
Learning by doing
Computer-based
instruction

Where Computers Are Used:

Retailing
Bar codes for pricing
and inventory
Shipping

Where Computers Are Used:

Energy
Locate oil, coal, natural gas, and uranium
Monitor the power network
Meter reading

Where Computers Are Used:

Agriculture
Billing
Crop information

Feed combinations
Livestock breeding and
performance

Where Computers Are Used:

Health and Medicine
Monitor patients
Electronic imaging
Diagnose illnesses
Tele-health

Where Computers Are Used:

Robotics
Perform jobs that are dangerous for
humans
Factory work

IT In Support of Business
Credit Card, Debit Card, ATM
Card
Bar Code Security Access
E-commerce
On-Line Conferences

IT In Support of Business
Operational Excellence

Within the context of efficiency

Doing things right
In the least amount of time
At the least expense
With the fewest numbers of errors
Optimizing the use of resources

Thank You