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Analysis & Design of Information Systems

Notes 1.3.6 System Characteristics

A system has the following characteristics:
1. Organization: Organization implies structure and order. It is the arrangement of
components that helps to achieve objectives. The various elements of a system are organized
to achieve objectives. For instance, input devices, output devices and the CPU of a computer
system are organized to process the data and produce information.
2. Interaction: Interaction refers to the procedure in which each component functions with
other components of the system. The various elements of a system are interacted with
others to achieve a common goal. For instance, the ledger, journals and people are interacted
in a financial accounting system for preparing the final financial statements (e.g., Profit
and Loss A/c, Balance Sheet, etc.) of an organization.
3. Interdependence: Interdependence means that components of the organization or computer
system depend on one another. The various subsystems of a system depend on one another
for sharing of input data. For instance, in a computerised MIS (a system), the financial
accounting system (a subsystem) receives the input data (e.g., financial data from Invoices,
cash memo etc.) from the invoicing system (a subsystem).
4. Integration: Integration is concerned with how a system is tied together. It is more than
sharing a physical part or location. It means that parts of the system work together within
the system even though each part performs a unique function. Successful integration will
typically produce a better result as a whole rather than if each component works
independently.
5. Central objective: Central objective is the last characteristic of a system. Objectives may be
real or stated. Although a stated objective may be the real objective, it is quite common
that organization may set one objective and operate to achieve another. The important
point is that users must be aware about the central objective well in advance.

Self Assessment

Fill in the blanks:

7. ................................. is the process of planning a new system or replace or complement an
existing system.
8. The systems ................................. shows a set of procedure for solving a particular problem.

9. A ................................. is that part of a system that carries one part of the system function.
1.4 Categories of Information System

There are five major types of information systems for various management levels of an
organization which are illustrated in Figure 1.5 and are discussed below:

1.4.1 Executive Support System (ESS)

This system is designed to address unstructured decision-making at the strategic level of an
organization. The systems at strategic level help senior managers in long-term planning. ESS
employ advanced graphics and communications software for creating a generalized computing
and communications environment.

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