Information systems Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

study systems - Essay Example(Joseph, 2008) define an information system as the study of complementary networks of hardw atomic number 18 and parcel that people and organizations use to collect, filter, process, create, and distribute data (p416). Even though there are some(prenominal) definitions as to what an Information system is, the definitions each(prenominal) agree on the fact that it is all about how humans relate with technology Figure 1 components of an IS 1. Hardware Hardware refers to all the machinery that leave alone be utilize by the firm in the information system. The most important hardware in the information system is the estimator. The computer has its testify important hardware parts like the storage, the control unit, the processors and many others. Some people refer to the hardware part of the information system as the telephone exchange processing unit because this is actually where all the data processing for the system is done. The hardware of the co mputer must have five important parts for it to mesh optimally (OBrien, 2003) Input This is the representation by which the computer accepts data that is fed into it via the input devices. The most commonly used input device is the keyboard where the user types instruction manual that the computer processes. Other input devices include microphones for sound input, scanners for digital input and mice. Process Once the computer has accepted input, it must have a means by which it will process data. Every computer ordinarily has a part that is used for the process of the data that it receives from the input devices Control There are many processes that the computer usually performs and it is important to have a means of controlling the different operations for optimum results. The Arithmetic and Logic Unit is used to control the different arithmetic and logical operations that the computer is working on. Storage Computers must have a means of retaining the data that is input into t he system. This is usually done on the main hard drive of the computer or any auxiliary storage devices like memory sticks, external hard drives, DVDs and many others. Output After data has been input into the computer and all the processing of the data has been completed, the computer must then have a way of generating feedback for the receipts of the user. This is achieved through the output devices. There are two types of output devices. There are those that hark back soft output like the monitors and the speakers and there are those that give hard output like the printers and the plotters. 2. Software This term refers to any computer application and all the manuals that come with these applications. To put it simply, software is a set of computer or machine readable instructions that tell the computer exactly how to manipulate the data that is fed to it by the user. The software is very important in the information system since it is the one that has instructions on how to man ipulate the data thereby giving the necessary output which management can use for finis making. Software usually comes stored on DVDs and other auxiliary storage devices like flash disks but it has to be installed onto the computer system for it to be used. Most of the software is usually for sale although there are some that are given under the General Public User license agreement. The computer system will be totally useless without the relevant software (OBrien, 2003) 3. Data This