Reference no: EM133944009
Introduction to Business Information Systems
Part 1: Weekly Worksheets
To help you stay on track with your learning, we've designed weekly worksheets that align with Modules 1-5.
These are great opportunities to reinforce key concepts and practice applying what you've learned!
Completing & Submitting the Worksheets
All worksheets must be completed on the Pearson MyLab platform.
If you have not yet set up your Pearson MyLab account, please follow the instructions provided on
Blackboard → MyLab.
Recommendations for Successful Completion
Start early to allow ample time for completion and review.
Ensure you are familiar with the Pearson MyLab platform before beginning.
If you have any questions or encounter difficulties, please reach out for assistance.
Monitored Test - Closed-Book Exam Information
To ensure fairness and maintain academic integrity, these worksheets will be closed-book, monitored tests
that must be completed under exam conditions.
Preparing for the Test
To take the test, you will need to install Respondus Monitor & LockDown Browser ahead of time. This tool helps create a secure test environment and ensures a smooth experience for all students.
What to Expect During the Test
You'll take the test in a quiet, secure space without external resources.
The Respondus LockDown Browser will prevent you from opening other applications or browsing the web during the test.
Respondus Monitor will use your webcam and microphone to verify exam conditions.
Helpful Reminders
To avoid any last-minute issues, please install and test the Respondus LockDown Browser & Monitor
in advance.
Step-by-step setup instructions are available on Blackboard → Assessments → Assessment 1:
Business Technology Analysis (ISDF) → Respondus LockDown Browser Download and Install.
Part 2: Information Systems Description Framework (ISDF) Assignment
In this individual assignment, you will use the Information Systems Description Framework (ISDF) to analyse an Information System within a selected real-world business. This analysis will involve providing detailed descriptions and diagrams to illustrate the components and operations of the system. Get expert assignment help online from PhD writers.
The Information Systems Description Framework (ISDF) is a structured, step-by-step process for describing the components and processes of an Information System. The proposed documentation should clearly describe the User, uses and components of the information system that you are describing.
Assignment Tasks
To begin, you need to select a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) within your locality that has implemented an Information System to address a specific business need or to optimise its operations. Ideally, this should be a business you are familiar with, such as your own workplace (if employed) or a business you frequently interact with. Choosing a business you have access to will help in gathering relevant information for your analysis.
Once you have selected a business, provide a brief description that includes its name, location, industry, and the products or services it offers. Additionally, describe its typical daily operations, such as sales transactions, order processing, inventory management, appointment scheduling, or customer service interactions. This section should give context to the business environment in which the Information System operates.
Next, identify two key business processes that are crucial for the business's operations. These could include functions such as order processing, inventory management, appointment scheduling, or customer service. For each process, provide a brief explanation of how it functions and why it is important to the business. Consider what role these processes play in improving efficiency, reducing errors, or enhancing customer experience.
After identifying two business processes, select one of these processes for a detailed ISDF analysis in the following sections. Clearly state which process you have chosen. In the following section, your analysis of the chosen process should focus on how the information system supports this process, detailing the system's components, the users who interact with it, and the overall workflow. Ensure that your explanation includes diagrams in the relevant sections to visually represent the information system's structure and its role within the business.
Your write-up for these sections can serve as the introduction of your submission, providing a clear foundation before diving into the deeper analysis using the ISDF framework.
General Description
Identifying Key Functions in the Business Process
For the chosen business process, identify and briefly describe four key functions or sub-processes within the process. These functions should represent the major steps involved but should not include internal technical details of the Information System itself.
For example, in an Order Processing system, the process begins when a customer initiates a purchase. Once the order is placed, the system records the sale through data capture, such as scanning a barcode at the Point-of-Sale (POS) system. After the transaction is logged, the inventory is automatically updated to reflect the reduction in stock levels. Finally, the system generates a receipt for the customer, and the transaction is stored for reporting and future reference.
Identifying the Supporting Information System
After outlining the key functions, identify the Information System that supports this process and describe its overall purpose within the business. Explain how the system contributes to the efficiency, accuracy, or automation of the process, ensuring a clear connection between the system and the business operations.
Identifying Users and System Components
Identify and describe all users and their roles within the Information System. Users can include external users, such as customers and suppliers, who interact with the system for transactions, tracking, or service requests. Additionally, other information systems may act as users by exchanging data, automating processes, or supporting business functions. In this assignment, these are considered non-computerised users because they interact with the system but are not human users.
Next, identify internal users, such as employees and managers, who use the system for daily operations, decision-making, and managing business processes. Then, identify the key system components, such as internal software applications and storage databases, that interact within the system. In this assignment, software applications and storage databases are also conceptualised as non-computerized users because they interact with other components of the Information System but are not human users.
Briefly explain how both computerised and non-computerized users interact with each other within the Information System. These interactions may include inputting data, retrieving information, processing transactions, or storing records.
Provide a high-level explanation, focusing on the overall purpose of these interactions rather than technical details. The specific details will be discussed further in the ‘External Description' and ‘Internal Description' sections.
External Description
In this section, you will describe the inputs, outputs, and boundaries of the Information System. The focus should be on understanding how users interact with the system, what data they provide, how that data is processed, and what outputs the system generates for various users.
Inputs to the Information System
Identify all user roles and specify the inputs they provide to the components of the information system, along with the data entry methods used for submission.
Users interact with the system by submitting various types of input data through different data entry methods. These methods may include manual entry, such as filling out a web form; scanning, such as barcode scanning for inventory updates; or automatic capture, where an online purchase is recorded by the system without manual intervention.
Each user role should be clearly identified along with the data entry method used, the specific input data provided, and the software or application to which the data is submitted. This submission corresponds to the information processor discussed in the Internal Description section.
Outputs from the Information System
Identify all user roles and list the specific outputs they receive from components in the information system, along with the delivery method used.
After processing user inputs, the system generates various outputs that provide relevant information to users. These outputs can be delivered in different forms, such as emails, reports, notifications, receipts, or system updates. Each output is tailored to a specific recipient and contains information relevant to their role.
The format for describing outputs should include the name of the user or system receiving the output, the data output method, which defines how the information is delivered (e.g., receipt, report, notification), and a description or example of each output.
System Boundary
The boundary of the Information System defines what is inside the system (internal components) and what interacts with it externally (external components). External components are elements outside the system that provide inputs or receive outputs, such as customers, suppliers, or external databases. Internal components are elements within the system that process or store information, such as internal databases, software applications, or internal users.
For example, in an Online Retail System, external components include customers, who place orders, and suppliers, who send stock updates. The internal components include an Order Management System, which handles orders and transactions, and an Inventory Database, which stores product stock levels. In this scenario, customers input order details, the system processes the order, the warehouse receives a packing list, inventory levels are updated, and the finance team receives sales
reports. The system boundary distinguishes what is part of the system, such as databases and internal processing, from what interacts with it externally, such as customers and suppliers.
When describing system boundaries, focus on information processing itself rather than specific hardware, software, or communication technologies. Ensure that your descriptions of inputs and outputs are detailed, clearly identifying who provides or receives them and how they interact with the system. This section should offer more depth than the general system description, providing a structured understanding of how the Information System operates within its defined boundaries.
External View of the Information System
Create a diagram summarising the external components and interactions of the Information System, following the format below. Ensure the diagram includes all relevant details from the external description of the information system.
Internal Description
This section details the information processors, information stores, and internal networks within the Information System. These components are crucial in processing, managing, and storing information to support business operations.
Information Processors
Information processors are the components responsible for handling and transforming data within the system. These processors can be human-based, where employees manually enter or verify data, or software-based, where automated systems perform calculations and process transactions. Each processor has a specific function in managing information to ensure efficient operations.
Example 1: Software-based information processor is the Automated Order Processing Application (AOPA), which automates order handling and transactions.
This system processes online orders by calculating total costs, including taxes and discounts, verifies payment transactions, and updates stock levels accordingly. It also generates order confirmation emails for customers.
Type: A software-based information processor that automates order handling and transactions.
Function:
Processes online orders by calculating total costs, including taxes and discounts.
Verifies payment transactions and updates stock levels.
Generates order confirmation emails for customers.
Description: when a customer places an order on an e-commerce website, the AOPA automatically calculates the final price, confirms the payment through an integrated payment gateway, updates the inventory system, and sends an order confirmation email to the customer. This automation reduces manual work, minimises errors, and improves the speed of order processing.
Example 2: Barcode Scanning System, a hardware device with embedded software that processes barcode data and transmits it to an inventory management system or Point-of-Sale (POS) software.
This system reads product barcodes, decodes the data, and updates stock levels accordingly.
Type: A barcode scanner with embedded software that processes scanned data and transmits it to an inventory system.
Function:
Reading product barcodes and extracting information.
Sending scanned information to the inventory management system or POS.
Automatically updating stock levels and tracking product movement.
Description: when a warehouse worker scans a barcode on an incoming shipment, the scanner processes the data, verifies product details, and updates the inventory system.
Note: While the barcode scanner is a physical device, the actual data processing is performed by the software embedded within the scanner or in a connected system. This distinction clarifies that the scanner itself is hardware, but the information is processed by its internal software or an integrated system.
Example 3: Manual Data Entry by Employees [Human-Based Information Processor]
Employees play an essential role in reviewing and correcting system-generated records, as well as manually inputting data where necessary.
Type: A person manually inputting or verifying data in the system.
Function:
Reviewing and correcting system-generated records to ensure accuracy.
Manually inputting data when automation is unavailable or unreliable.
Description: Customer support staff may need to correct an incorrect shipping address in the order management system to ensure the order is delivered to the correct recipient.
In situations where automation is limited, human input ensures that errors can be corrected, and data accuracy is maintained.