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1: Introduction to Information Systems and Business Processes

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    57016
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    Learning Objectives

    Upon successful completion of this chapter, you will be able to:

    • Define what an Information System is by identifying its major components
    • Describe the basic history of information systems
    • Understand the different careers & people involved Information Systems
    • Understand business process management.

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    Introduction

    Businesses have always been about serving their customers and community by offering products or services. Companies such as Apple, Microsoft, Google, Ford, Toyota, and many other companies have greatly shifted the world into what we see today and in the future; however, do not think these companies achieved these successes overnight.

    Information systems have helped businesses be more efficient, organized, and up to date on daily operations. As you continue your studies in Information Technology, Cybersecurity, & Network Engineering, you may potentially be tasked to lead a team of developers to create a software program, implement a new security policy, redesign an entire network infrastructure, or become an entrepreneur and create a new company or new branch to provide new services!

    These companies, like many others, have many working parts aiding their growth. This chapter will be divided into two sections, The components of Information Systems & Business Processes will introduce you to the building blocks of what you as a Project Manager or Systems Analysts will need to think of and take care of for the company you will work for.

    Before we begin, let us first clear up what an Information System is...

    Defining Information Systems

    Almost all programs in business require students to take a course in something called information systems. But what exactly does that term mean? Let’s take a look at some of the more popular definitions, first from Wikipedia and then from a couple of textbooks:

    • “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.”[1]
    • “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.”[2]
    • “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.”[3]

    Table of Contents


    1: Introduction to Information Systems and Business Processes is shared under a CC BY-SA license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.

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