1 .

Explain why knowledge of IS is important for business end users & identify 5 areas of
IS knowledge they need.

 Foundation concepts: Fundamental behavioral and technical concepts that will

help to understand how IS can support the business operations, managerial
decision making and strategic advantage of business firms and other organizations.
 Technology: Major concepts, developments and managerial issues in information
technology i.e., hardware, software, networks, database management and other
information processing technologies
 Applications: The major uses of IS for the operations, management and
competitive advantage of an enterprise, including electronic commerce and
collaboration using the Internet, intranet and extranets etc.
 Development: How end users of information specialist develop IS solutions to
business problems using fundamental problem solving and developmental
technologies.
 Management: The challenges of effectively and ethically managing the resources
and business strategies involved in using information technology at the end user,
enterprise and global levels of a business.

2. Explain IS resources and technologies.

3. Why IT development projects succeed or fail?

The reasons for success and failures are as follows:

Reasons for success

 User involvement.
 Executive management support.
 Clear statement of requirements.
 Proper planning.
 Realistic expectations.

Reasons for failure

 Lack of user input.

 Incomplete requirements and specifications.
 Changing requirements and specifications.
 Lack of executive support.
 Technological incompetence.

4. Why business needs IS?

Or

Explain 3 major roles of IS. Why they are important?

Or

What are the fundamental roles of IS?

Support of Business Processes and Operations.

A consumer regularly encounters information systems that support the business processes and
operations at the many retail stores where you shop. For example, most retail stores now use
computer-based information systems to help their employees record customer purchases, keep track
of inventory, pay employees, buy new merchandise, and evaluate sales trends. Store operations
would grind to a halt without the support of such information systems.
Support of Business Decision Making.
Information systems also help store managers and other business professionals make better
decisions. For example, decisions about what lines of merchandise need to be added or
discontinued and what kind of investments they require are typically made after an analysis
provided by making of store managers, buyers, and others, but also helps them look for ways to
gain an advantage over other retailers in the competition for customers.
Support of Strategies for Competitive Advantage.
Gaining a strategic advantage over competitors requires the innovative application of information
technologies. For example; store management might make a decision to install touch-screen kiosks
in all stores, with links to the e-commerce Web site for online shopping. This offering might attract
new customers and build customer loyalty because of the ease of shopping and buying
merchandise provided by such information systems. Thus, strategic information systems can help
provide products and services that give a business a comparative advantage over its competitors.

5. Identify and give examples of the components and functions of generic concepts of the
system.

Or

Illustrate the generic components of types of system with the example of manufacturing
system.
Feedback: feedback is data about the performance of the system. For example data about sales
performance is feedback to a sales manager.

Control: Control involves monitoring and evaluating feedback to determine whether the system is
moving toward the achievement of its goals. The control function then makes a necessary adjustment to
a system’s input and processing components to ensure that it produces proper output. For example,
sales manager exercises when he or she reassigns salespersons to new sales territories after evaluating
feedback about their sales performance.

6. Explain the concepts of IS.

Or

Illustrate IS model that express fundamental conceptual framework for the major
components and activities of IS or the sources of IS.

Or

Give an example of IS resources and products.

An information system depends on the resources of people (end users and IS specialists), hardware
(machines and media), software (programs and procedures), data (data and knowledge bases), and
networks (communications media and network support) to perform input, processing, output, storage,
and control activities that transform data resources into information products.
• People, hardware, software, data, and networks are the five basic resources of information systems.
• Information processing consists of the system activities of input, processing, output, Storage and
control.
 People Resources:
End users and IS specialists, system analyst, programmers, data administrators, computer operators
etc.
 Hardware Resources:
Machines- computers, video monitors, magnetic disk drives, printers, optical scanners
Media- floppy disks, magnetic tapes, optical disks, plastic cards, paper forms.
 Software Resources:
Programs- operating system programs, spreadsheet programs, word processing programs, payroll
programs.
Procedures- Data entry procedures, error correction procedures, paycheck distribution procedures.
 Data Resources:
Product descriptions, customer records, employee files, inventory database.
 Network Resources: Communications media

7. What are the attributes of information quality?

Or

Explain the 3 dimensions of information quality

( time, content and form).
Time Dimension
Timeliness: Information should be provided when it is needed.
Currency: Information should be up-to-date when it is provided.
Frequency: Information should be provided as often as needed.
Time Period: Information can be provided about past, present, and future time periods.
Content Dimension
Accuracy: Information should be free from errors.
Relevance: Information should be related to the information needs of a specific recipient for a specific
situation.
Completeness: All the information that is needed should be provided.
Conciseness: Only the information that is needed should be provided.
Scope: Information can have a broad or narrow scope, or an internal or external focus.
Performance: Information can reveal performance by measuring activities accomplished, progress
made, or resources accumulated.
Form Dimension
Clarity: Information should be provided in a form that is easy to understand.
Detail: Information can be provided in detail or summary form.
Order: Information can be arranged in a predetermined sequence.
Presentation: Information can be presented in narrative, numeric, graphic, or other forms.
Media: Information can be provided in the form of printed paper documents, video displays, or other
media.

8. Illustrate/ explain logical data elements.

Or

What are the common methods for organizing stored data in IS?

Name
Name
Field
Field
Payroll
Payroll
Record
Record
Payroll
Payroll
File
File

Personnel
Database

 A field is grouping of characters that represents a characteristic of person , place,

thing or event. For example, an employee’s name field.
 A record is a collection of interrelated fields. For example, an employee’s payroll
record might consist of name field, a social security number field, a department
field and a salary field.
  A file is a collection of interrelated records. For example, a payroll might consist
of the payroll records of all employees of the firm.
 A database is an integrated collection of interrelated records or files. For example,
the personnel database of a business might contain payroll, personnel action and
employee skills files.

9. Illustrate/ explain the system approach to the problem solving process

Or

How can you develop solutions to business problems?

Multistage cycle for problem solving

10. Illustrate/explain the operation and management classification of IS.

-OR-
Transaction Processing Systems
Transaction processing systems (TPS) are the basic business systems that serve the operational level of
the organization. A transaction processing system is a computerized system that performs and records
the daily routine transactions necessary to the conduct of the business. At the lowest level of the
organizational hierarchy we find the transaction processing systems that support the day-to-day
activities of the business.
Process Control Systems
Process control systems is Monitor and control industrial or physical processes. Examples: petroleum
refining, power generation, and steel production systems. For example, a petroleum refinery uses
electronic sensors linked to computers to monitor chemical processes continually and make instant
(real-time) adjustments that control the refinery process. A process control system comprises the whole
range of: equipment, computer programs,
operating procedures.
Enterprise Collaboration Systems ( Office Automation Systems)
Office automation systems are one of the most widely used types of information systems that will help
managers control the flow of information in organizations. Enterprise collaboration systems (office
automation systems) are enhance team and workgroup communications and productivity .Office
automation systems are other types of information systems are not specific to any one level in the
organization but provide important support for a broad range of users. Office information systems are
designed to support office tasks with information technology. Voice mail, multimedia system, electronic
mail, video conferencing, file transfer, and even group decisions can be achieved by office information
systems.
Management Information Systems
Management information systems are a kind of computer information systems that could collect and
process information from different sources in institute decision-making in level of management.
Management information systems provide information in the form of pre specified reports and displays
to support business decision making. The next level in the organizational hierarchy is occupied by low
level managers and supervisors. This level contains computer systems that are intended to assist
operational management in monitoring and controlling the
transaction processing activities that occur at clerical level. Management information systems (MIS) use
the data collected by the TPS to provide supervisors with the
necessary control reports.
Decision Support Systems
A Decision Support System is a computer based system intended for use by a particular manager or
usually a group of managers at any organizational level in making a decision in the process of solving a
semi structured decision.
Executive Information Systems
Executive Information Systems have been developed, which provide rapid access to both internal and
external information, often presented in graphical format, but with the ability to present more detailed
underlying data if it is required. Executive information systems provide critical information from a wide
variety of internal and external sources (from MIS, DSS, and other sources tailored to the information
needs of executives) in easy-to-use displays to executives and managers
Expert Systems
Expert systems are the category of AI which has been used most successfully in building commercial
applications. Expert systems are Knowledge-based systems that provide expert advice and act as expert
consultants to users.
Knowledge Management Systems
Knowledge management systems are knowledge-based information systems that support the creation,
organization, and dissemination of business knowledge to employees and managers throughout a
company. Knowledge management is the deployment of a comprehensive system that enhances the
growth of an organization's knowledge
Functional Business Systems ( Information Systems From Functional Perspective)
Functional business systems are Information systems that focus on operational and managerial
applications in support of basic business functions. Examples: information systems that support
applications in accounting, finance, marketing, operations management, and human resource
management.

Sales and Marketing Information Systems

The sales and marketing function is responsible for selling the organization's product or service.
Marketing is concerned with identifying the customers for the firm's products or services, determining
what they need or want, planning and developing products and services to meet their needs, and
advertising and promoting these products and services. Sales are concerned with contacting customers,
selling the products and services, taking orders, and following up on sales. Sales and marketing
MIS supports managerial activity in the areas of product development, marketing mix, distribution,
pricing decisions, promotional effectiveness, and sales forecasting

Manufacturing and Production Information Systems

The manufacturing and production function is responsible for actually producing the firm's goods and
services. Manufacturing and production systems deal with the planning, development, and maintenance
of production facilities; the establishment of production goals; the acquisition, storage, and availability
of production materials; and the scheduling of equipment, facilities, materials, and labor required to
fashion finished products. Manufacturing and production information systems support these activities.
Finance and Accounting Information Systems
Finance function is responsible for managing the firm`s financial assets, such as cash, stock, bonds,
other investment. The accounting function is responsible for maintaining and managing the firm`s
financial records such as receipts, depreciation, payroll etc
Human Resource Information Systems
Human Resources Information Systems are process of producing, organizing, storing and distributing
manpower information to help the organization managers at various levels, in order to make proper
decisions .Nowadays the majority of successful companies are using human resource information
systems to support daily operations of human resources.

11. Explain the traditional information system development cycle with the block
diagram.
12. What are the tangible and intangible benefits of CBIS? Explain with suitable
examples.

13. Write a note on Generic algorithm and neural network.

Genetic algorithms
The use of genetic algorithms is a growing application of artificial intelligence. Genetic algorithm
software uses Darwinian (survival of the fittest), randomizing, and other mathematical functions to
simulate an evolutionary process that can yield increasingly better solutions to a problem. Genetic
algorithms were first used to simulate millions of years in biological, geological, and ecosystem
evolution in just a few minutes on a computer. Genetic algorithm software is being used to model a
variety of scientific, technical, and business processes.
Genetic algorithms are especially useful for situations in which thousands of solutions are
possible and must be evaluated to produce an optimal solution. Genetic algorithm software uses sets of
mathematical process rules ( algorithms ) that specify how combinations of process components or steps
are to be formed. This process may involve trying random process combinations ( mutation ),
combining parts of several good processes ( crossover ), and selecting good sets of processes and
discarding poor ones ( selection ) to generate increasingly better solutions.

Neural networks
Neural networks are computing systems modeled after the brain’s mesh like network of
interconnected processing elements, called neurons. Neural networks are a lot simpler in architecture
(the human brain is estimated to have more than 100 billion neuron brain cells!). Like the brain,
however, the interconnected processors in a neural network operate in parallel and interact dynamically.
This interaction enables the network to “learn” from data it processes. That is, it learns to recognize
patterns and relationships in these data. The more data examples it receives as input, the better it can
learn to duplicate the results of the examples it processes. Thus, the neural network will change the
strengths of the interconnections between the processing elements in response to changing patterns in
the data it receives and the results that occur.

14. What are the latest applications of AI?

Decision Support
• Intelligent work environment that will help you capture the why as well as the what of
engineered design and decision making.
• Intelligent human–computer interface (HCI) systems that can understand spoken
language and gestures, and facilitate problem solving by supporting organization wide
collaborations to solve particular problems.
• Situation assessment and resource allocation software for uses that range from airlines
and airports to logistics centers.
Information Retrieval
• AI-based intranet and Internet systems that distill tidal waves of information into
simple presentations.
• Natural language technology to retrieve any sort of online information, from text to
pictures, videos, maps, and audio clips, in response to English questions.
• Database mining for marketing trend analysis, financial forecasting and maintenance
cost reduction, and more.
Virtual Reality
• X-ray–like vision enabled by enhanced-reality visualization that allows brain surgeons
to “see through” intervening tissue to operate, monitor, and evaluate disease progression.
• Automated animation interfaces that allow users to interact with virtual objects via
touch (e.g., medical students can “feel” what it’s like to suture severed aortas).
Robotics
• Machine-vision inspections systems for gauging, guiding, identifying, and inspecting
products and providing competitive advantage in manufacturing.
• Cutting-edge robotics systems, from micro robots and hands and legs to cognitive
robotic and trainable modular vision systems.

15. Explain with a block diagram the role of transaction processing system in business.

OR

Explain how business transactions sales & purchases are generated by the physical
operation systems of a manufacturing system.

OR

Illustrate/ explain the role of Transaction processing system in business.

16. Write a note on Enterprise collaboration system.