Components of Information Systems:
The IS components include people resources (end users and IS specialists), equipment (hardware and software resources), data resources (data and knowledge bases), and network resources (communications media and network support). These resources carry out the input, processing, output, storage, and control activities, and convert the data resources into information products. It provides an outline that focuses on the five basic resources of information systems namely - people, hardware, software, data, and networks. These resources have been briefly explained below:
Figure:Components of Information system
People
People are the indispensable components for the operation of information systems. These resources include the end users and the IS specialists.
End users are people who use information products for a variety of needs. They are also called the users or the clients. The end users of an IS can include customers, managers, engineers, accountants, salespersons, or clerks.
The IS specialists in an organization include the systems analysts, programmers, technicians, engineers, network managers, IS manager, data entry operators, and computer operators. These specialists build, develop, and run the information systems. For instance, the system analysts design the information systems based on the information needs of the end users.
Equipment
Equipment refers to the hardware and software resources.
Hardware resources: Hardware resources include all the physical devices and materials that are used in recording and processing the information. These resources include all the tangible objects or machines on which the data is recorded and is processed like computers and data media. The computer systems and the peripherals constitute the hardware resources in a computer-based IS.
Software resources: The software resources of an IS constitute all the sets of instructions that are required for processing the data into information. These resources include programs and procedures. These programs and procedures accept input in the form of data resources, process them into information, and disseminate this information to the end users.
Programs are sets of operating instructions that direct and control the hardware of the computer system. There are two types of software programs in a computer system. These are system software and application software. System software is an operating system program that provides control and support to the functions and processes of a computer system. Application software such as payroll program, sales analysis program, etc., comprises programs that direct the processing of data into information for a particular use by the end users.
Procedures are sets of instructions that are required by people to operate the IS and process the information. Procedures can be in the form of instructions for taking a backup, shutting down a system, using a software package, filling up a form, etc.
Data
Data are raw facts and figures that are unorganized and later processed to generate information. It is the most valuable and vital among resources in any organization, big or small. Like any resource, data should also be effectively managed in order to benefit the end users of the organization. Data resources can take numerous forms. They can be in the form of alphanumeric data (e.g. alphabets, numbers, and other characters), text data (e.g. sentences, paragraphs), image data (e.g. graphics, figures), and audio data (e.g. human voice, sounds).
Network
Network resources refer to the telecommunication networks like intranets, extranets, and the Internet. These resources facilitate the flow of communication in the organization and are therefore essential for computer-based information systems. The telecommunication network components in the organization comprise computer systems, communication processors like modems and internetwork processors, and other devices. All these components should be interconnected by a medium of communication and should be controlled by the communication software such as network operating systems and Internet browser packages.
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