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What is information systems? What are the components or resources of information systems?

Information Systems Definition

Systems that collect, verify, store, process, report and update data to output valuable and useful information are called information systems. Information systems are being used from ancient time period. With the development of computing technologies and it’s uses, modern information systems are computer based information systems which can process billions of data to output desired information in seconds or minutes. Various types of computer based information systems are available.

Information systems has been defined in many definitions by various authors, some of them are as follows,

Information system can be defined technically as a set of interrelated components that collect (or retrieve), process, store and distribute information to support decision making and control in an organization. In addition so supporting decision making, coordination and control, information systems may also help managers and workers analyze problems, visualize complex subjects and create new products

Kenneth C. Laudon & Jane P. Laudon

An information system can be any organized combination of people, hardware, software, communications networks, and data resources that collects, transforms and disseminates information in an organization

James A. O’Brien

Information system is a mechanism that helps collect, store, organize and use information

Peter Norton

Components or Resources of Information Systems

Following 5 components or resources are found in today’s computer based information systems.

  1. Hardware Resources
  2. Software Resources
  3. Data Resources
  4. Network Resources
  5. Human Resources
What is information systems? What are the components or resources of information systems?

Hardware Resources

Computer and all devices and peripherals connected to computers, such as, mouse, keyboard, hard disk, monitor etc. are collectively called hardware resource. Hardware resources also includes media devices like floppy disk, optical disks etc.  

Software Resources

Computer programs that enables communication between hardware and humans and operates hardware based human interaction or stored procedures are called Software Resources. Hardware resources actually works to assist the software resources which uses hardware resources in order to process data.Computer programs are organized set of instructions for the hardware resources to execute and procedures is a set of one or multiple programs to do an specific task.

Data Resources

Raw materials used in a process to obtain targeted result of goal are called data. In other words, pieces of information which by itself may or may not mean something but useful when connected or used with other pieces of information to form a piece of information that means something, are called data.  

Network Resource

In modern computer based information systems network resources are very important. Telecommunication, wireless network are used by Internet, Intranet, extranet etc. to build up network resources. Network resources use computation media and network support.  

Human Resources

The primary components or resources of an information systems. This human resources are closely related to media resource. All people who are involved in inserting data into the system, handling software and hardware of the system etc. are, in combined, called Human Resources. Human resources includes two roles, user and specialist of the information system.

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