8
B
Before You Read
Define two different ways of describing information systems using the following
information:
“Information systems (IS) is the study of complementary networks of hardware and software
that people and organizations use to collect, filter, process, create, and distribute data.”
“Information systems are combinations of hardware, software, and telecommunications
networks that people build and use to collect, create, and distribute useful data, typically in
organizational settings.”
“Information systems are interrelated components working together to collect, process,
store, and disseminate information to support decision making, coordination, control, analysis, and
visualization in an organization.”
C
Read the Article
The Components of Information Systems
Information systems are made up of five components that interact to
generate information needed by the users in an organization:
hardware, software, data, people, and process.
The first three components of information systems – hardware,
software, and data –all fall under the category of technology which
can be thought of as the application of scientific knowledge for
practical purposes.
From the invention of the wheel to the harnessing of electricity for artificial lighting, technology is
a part of our lives in so many ways that we tend to take it for granted.
