2.6: Summary

2.1. Information Systems

Data is a raw and unorganized fact that requires to be processed to make it meaningful.

Information is a set of data which is processed in a meaningful way according to the given requirement.

A system is a group of interacting or interrelated elements that act according to a set of rules to form a unified whole.

Information System is an organized combination of people, technology, data, and procedures that collect, process, store, and distribute information to support operations, management, and decision-making in an organization.

2.2. Evolution Eras of Technology

1. Mainframe Era
2. PC Revolution Era
3. Client-Server Era
4. WWW & eCommerce Era
5. Web 2.0 Era
6. Post PC Era

2.3. Type of Users

Fred Beisse identifies "End-user computing" as the use of computer technology for both business and personal use.

And he classifies the users according to many categories:

• Environment
• Skill level
• Frequency of use
• Software use
• Features used
• Relationship

Everett Rogers identified five specific types of technology adopters:

1. Innovators
2. Early adopters
3. Early majority
4. Late majority
5. Laggards

2.4. Competitive Advantage

A company is said to have a competitive advantage over its rivals when it is able to sustain profits that exceed average for the industry.

According to Michael Porter, there are two primary methods for obtaining competitive advantage: cost advantage and differentiation advantage.

2.5. Components of an Information System

Technical Components of Information Systems

• Hardware
• Software
• Data
• Networking Communication: A Fourth Technology Piece?

Non-Technical Components of Information Systems

• People
• Process