An information system is a preset or manual scheme of facts presentation. It is formed when data is amassed, structured, stocked up and presented in a methodical sequence. Most importantly, the data in an information system can be used for decision making in an institution.
Incase a decision has to be initiated; the data can be used to ease these decisions or even make most part of the decision. In addition, an information system can be used in reporting advancements in an institution. In planning and evaluation of programs, an individual can use the data in an information system. As a result, an information system is a vital component in management of an institution as it bears most of the reference strategies used in administration (Stair, Reynolds & Reynolds 10).
Constituents of an information system
Hardware
Hardware mainly constitutes the machinery used in information storage or presentation. Thus, it might include a computer’s central processing unit (CPU) used for storage of the preset data. It can also include a computer monitor used in viewing the data. It is evident that a mouse together with the keyboard is also considered as constituents of the hardware.
During the staging of the data, a projector can be used to highlight the data hence it is considered as a constituent of the system. It is noteworthy that the chief rationale of the system hardware is to ease the use of the data stored.
Software
Software refers to the preset programs used in an information structure and the manuals that accompany them. It is evident that the programs used in such a structure must have manuals that make easy their application.
Most importantly, the computer or preset programs are only accessible via a machine that posses’ instructions used to direct their usage. The most common equipment used in the reading of these programs is the CPU. Additionally, these programs can be stored outside the CPU in diverse storage devices (Stair, Reynolds & Reynolds 12).
Data
Data refers to the concepts contained in programs that result into consumable information accessed by an individual. Similarly, these concepts are also stored in devices just like the case of preset programs and can be accessed using a computer. However, data can also be constrained in the form of hard copy and accessed manually through reading.
Additionally, data used in an information structure needs to have back up that can be accessed or retrieved incase the original copy gets damaged or lost. It is thus noted that an information structure can not exist when there are no data (Erasmus, Ferreira, Groenewald & Ngcobo 294).
Procedures
A procedure mainly constitutes the instructions that dictate the operation of an automated system, for example, the computer. Procedure facilitates the utilization of the data contained in an information structure as it provides the navigation required to access the information. Without procedures, preset data might not be accessed. However, data stored in the form of hard copy can be accessed, devoid of procedures as they are manually read.
People
People mainly depict the operators of the machinery and the consumers of data in information systems. People are sometimes over-looked when considering the components of such a system. It is noteworthy that people determine the failure or success of any system. Thus, the operators and consumers are essential components of the system (Helly & Rosenblatt 7).
Works Cited
Erasmus, Annatjie, Ferreira, Edmund, Groenewald, Darelle & Ngcobo Musa. Administrative Management. Paarl. Juta and Company Ltd, 2004. Print.
Helly, Gary & Rosenblatt, Harry. Systems Analysis and Design. Massachusetts, MA: Cengage Learning, 2009. Print.
Stair, Ralph, Reynolds, George & Reynolds, George. Principles of Information Systems. Massachusetts, MA: Cengage Learning, 2009. Print.