1. Chapter 1 Computer Technology: Your Need to Know

2. Describe the activities of information systems professionals.
Chapter Goals: Why studying H/W & S/W technology if you plan to work in IS?
Describe the activities of information systems professionals.
Describe the technical knowledge of computer hardware and systems software needed to develop and manage information systems.
Identify additional sources of information for continuing education in computer hardware and systems software.
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3. Technology and Knowledge
Technical knowledge of computer hardware and systems software is required to develop information systems
technical devices do not require detailed understanding of how they work to be able to use them every day.
You don’t need a 3 months training program to use a refrigerator.
Although the design of computer systems have become more complex, computers have become easier to use.
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4. Technology and Knowledge
Since computer systems are easier to use, many computers are used in business and the home.
If computers have become so easy to use, then why do you need to know anything about their inner technology?
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5. Acquiring and Configuring Technological Devices
The knowledge required to purchase and configure technically complex devices is greater than the knowledge needed to use them.
To purchase a computer, you must:
Know your hardware and software preferences.
Know your hardware and software requirements.
Have sufficient knowledge of the available alternatives.
Understand related technical terms (e.g. megahertz, gigabyte, IDE-Integrated Device Electronics, PCI-Peripheral Component Interconnect).
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6. Acquiring and Configuring Technological Devices
An information systems professional will face computer acquisition, upgrade, and configuration choices that are significantly more complex.
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7. Acquiring and Configuring Technological Devices
Larger computer systems require:
more complex technology
more components
more complex configuration
more compatibility
more administrative issues
The stakes are higher
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8. Acquiring and Configuring Technological Devices
Employers and users will rely on the expertise of the IS professional and invest substantial sums of money based on their recommendations
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9. Acquiring and Configuring Technological Devices
Question
Are you ready for this?
Are you ready for the challenge?
Answer
YES
YES
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10. Information System Development
The steps necessary to develop an information system are called the System Development Life Cycle (SDLC)
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11. Information System Development
Steps used in System Development Life Cycle to develop large and complex information systems.
SADIM
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12. Information System Development: Survey
The Systems Survey step examines:
User information needs,
Ways in which those needs are being addressed, and
The feasibility of developing (or acquiring) an information system to address those needs.
The Systems Survey step determines:
the cost and benefits of alternative systems.
whether it takes days or weeks to complete.
whether the estimated benefit of the alternative solution justifies continuing the SDLC.
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13. Information System Development: Survey
What type of knowledge is needed for Systems Survey?
Knowledge of hardware and systems software is required to assess the degree to which user needs are currently being met, and to estimate the resources required to address unmet needs.
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14. Information System Development: Survey
Typical questions asked during the Systems Survey step for a point of sale system:
How much time is required to process a sale?
Is the existing system easy for a salesperson to use?
Is sufficient information being gathered for marketing purposes?
Can the existing hardware handle peak sales volumes (for example, holidays)?
Can the existing system be expanded easily?
What are the current hardware operating costs?
Are there cheaper hardware alternatives?
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15. Information System Development: Analysis
The systems analysis step examines in detail the user needs and the extent to which they are being met.
Also called needs analysis or requirements analysis.
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16. Information System Development: Analysis
Systems analysis steps:
Takes weeks or months to complete.
Produces a requirements document.
Re-examines and answers systems survey questions in more detail.
Typical outcomes:
Detailed descriptions of user interfaces and data access speed
Detailed data-processing and storage requirements
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17. Information System Development: Design
Purpose:
To determine structure of a specific information system that fulfills system requirements (information architecture)
The systems design step determines the exact configuration of all hardware and software components.
Technical knowledge required to:
Select hardware and network components
Evaluate compatibility
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18. Information System Development: Design
Design tasks during the systems design step:
Selecting computer hardware
Processing, storage, I/O, Network components
Selecting Network hardware
Transmission lines, routers, firewalls
Selecting computer software
OS, database management system, network services, network protocols, security protocols and software
Selecting application program development tools
Programming languages, component libraries, integrated development environments Databases
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19. Information System Development: Design
Other design decisions are of a more limited scope and depend on earlier decisions, e.g.:
Files or database design
Program design
User interface design
Design of system backup and recovery mechanisms
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20. Information System Development: Design
System requirement
(from Analysis Phase)
Initial Design
Top-level or
architectural design constraints
Detailed Design
Fig1-2: Detailed Systems Design tasks in the systems Development Life Cycle,
SDLC.
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21. Information System Development: Design
Technical knowledge is most important during the early stages of the systems design, such as:
System requirements and the capabilities of that hardware and operating system
Development tool selection
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22. Information System Development: Implementation
The systems implementation step is constructed based on the “blue prints” created during systems design.
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23. Information System Development: Implementation
During the Systems Implementation step:
Hardware and systems software are acquired, installed, configured and tested
Application programs and files are developed, installed and tested
The entire system is tested
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24. Information System Development: Implementation
Technical knowledge needed during System Implementation:
Knowledge of hardware and systems software
Installation and configuration of hardware and systems software
Knowledge of how to format storage devices, set up security systems, install application programs and establish accounting and auditing systems
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25. Information System Development: Maintenance
During the Systems Maintenance and Evaluation step:
The system is evaluated for errors that escaped undetected during installation and testing.
Minor changes are made as maintenance changes.
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26. Information System Development: Maintenance
Technical knowledge needed during Maintenance:
Knowledge is needed to classify the proposed change as minor or major
Knowledge is needed about the hardware and software components that are affected by the change
If systems’ evaluation and maintenance determines that a new system is needed, then a new SDLC will be initiated.
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27. Information System Development – A modern approach
Modern Systems development life cycle (SDLC)
Unified Process (UP)
Iterations
Series of 4-6 week repeated steps
Produce testable models or working software
Disciplines
Groups of related activities
Disciplines and iterations of Unified Process
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28. Information System Development: (Modern) Business Modeling and Requirements Disciplines
Purpose:
To understand the system environment and tasks the system must perform
Typical models include:
Narratives, organization charts, workflow diagrams, network diagrams, class diagrams, interaction diagrams
Technical knowledge required to:
Assess degree to which users’ needs are being met
Estimate resources required to address unmet needs
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29. Implementation and Testing Disciplines
Purpose of implementation:
To build, acquire, and integrate application software components
Purpose of testing:
To verify correct functioning of infrastructure and application software components and ensure they satisfy system requirements
Requires specific knowledge of
hardware, networks, and system software
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30. Deployment Discipline
Purpose
To install and configure infrastructure and application software components and bring them into operation
Technical knowledge required to:
Format storage devices
Set up system security
Install and configure network services
Establish accounting and auditing controls
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31. Systems Evaluation and Maintenance
Accounts for much of long range system cost
Technical knowledge required to:
Address maintenance changes
Classify a proposed change as major or minor
Modify an existing system
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32. Management of Computer Resources
Knowledge is needed to manage the computer resources within a large organization.
The manager of a collection of information systems must contend with a great deal of technical complexity.
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33. Management of Computer Resources
Attention must be paid to two important technological issues:
Compatibility
Future trends
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34. Management of Computer Resources
Compatibility:
The new system must not only operate correctly by itself, but also operates smoothly with all of the other systems in the organization.
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35. Management of Computer Resources
Future Trends:
The manager must have a broad understanding of current technology, as well as future technology trends.
Will the computer purchased today be compatible with the HW available 3 years from now?
Will the communications network purchased today have the capacity to meet future need?
Should company invest on “tried & true” or “cutting edge” technologies?
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36. Roles and Job Titles
A large number of people can be classified loosely as computer professionals, and an even larger number use computers in the workplace, school, or home.
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37. Roles and Job Titles
Classification of Computer Professional into Groups:
Application Development Personnel
Systems Software Personnel
Hardware Personnel
Systems Management Personnel
Systems Analyst
Systems Designer
Application Programmer
Computer Operations Manager
Network Administrator
Database administrator
Chief Information Officer
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38. Roles and Job Titles Application Development Personnel Systems Analyst
Systems Designer
Application Programmer
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39. Roles and Job Titles A systems analyst primarily is responsible for
Conducting surveys,
Determining feasibility, and
Defining and documenting user requirements.
A systems designer primarily is responsible for
Procuring hardware, and
Procuring or designing applications software.
An application programmer primarily is responsible for
Software implementation, and
Testing.
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40. Roles and Job Titles Systems Software Personnel
Systems programmers are responsible for the development of systems software such as:
Operating Systems
Compilers
Database Management Systems
Network Security Monitors
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41. Roles and Job Titles Hardware Personnel are responsible for:
Hardware design,
Installation, and
Maintenance
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42. Roles and Job Titles Systems Management Personnel
Computer operations manager
Network administrator
Database administrator
Chief Information Officer
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43. Roles and Job Titles
A computer operations manager is responsible for the day-to-day operation of a large information-processing facility.
The operation can include:
scheduling,
staffing,
security,
system backups,
maintenance and upgrades.
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44. Roles and Job Titles
A network administrator is responsible for the network infrastructure and the management of a local area network.
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45. Roles and Job Titles
A database administrator is responsible for the management and access to collections of data stored in databases.
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46. Roles and Job Titles
A Chief Information Officer (CIO) is responsible for:
The management of the personnel and computer software and hardware.
The management of the database administrator, network administrator and computer operations manager.
The computers, networks and software
owned and operated by an organization.
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47. Computer Technology Information Sources
Sources to keep you up-to-date in the field:
Periodical literature
Technology-oriented websites
Vendor and manufacturer websites
Professional societies
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48. Computer Technology Information Sources
Periodical Literature:
ACM Computing Surveys
Computerworld
Communications of the ACM
Computer
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49. Computer Technology Information Sources
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50. Computer Technology Information Sources
Technology-Oriented Websites:
There are many websites that are devoted to serving the information needs of computer professionals.
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51. Computer Technology Information Sources
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52. Computer Technology Information Sources
Vendor and Manufacturer Websites:
Vendor Web pages are oriented to sales, but they usually contain detailed information on products either directly or as links to manufacturer websites.
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53. Computer Technology Information Sources
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54. Professional Societies
Association for Information Technology Professionals (AITP)
Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)
Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Computer Society
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55. Summary
Technical knowledge of computer hardware and systems software is required to develop information systems.
Technical knowledge also is required to manage the computer resources of an organization.
Technical knowledge constantly must be updated due to changes in hardware and software technology.
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56. Summary
Information about computer hardware and software is readily available on the World Wide Web.
An understanding of computer technology is necessary.
Computer knowledge can be updated through reading periodicals, using websites and joining professional societies.
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