Tiny hearT

Let us first define Information System(IS).

What is IS?
In a very broad sense, the term information system is frequently used to refer to the interaction between people, processes, data and technology. In this sense, the term is used to refer not only to the information and communication technology (ICT) an organization uses, but also to the way in which people interact with this technology in support of business processes.

Some make a clear distinction between information systems, ICT and business processes. Information systems are distinct from information technology in that an information system is typically seen as having an ICT component. Information systems are also different from business processes. Information systems help to control the performance of business processes.

Alter argues for an information system as a special type of work system. A work system is a system in which humans and/or machines perform work using resources (including ICT) to produce specific products and/or services for customers. An information system is a work system whose activities are devoted to processing (capturing, transmitting, storing, retrieving, manipulating and displaying)information.

Part of the difficulty in defining the term information system is due to vagueness in the definition of related terms such as system and information. Beynon-Davies argues for a clearer terminology based in systemics and semiotics. He defines an information system as an example of a system concerned with the manipulation of signs. An information system is a type of socio-technical system. An information system is a mediating construct between actions and technology.

As such, information systems inter-relate with data systems on the one hand and activity systems on the other. An information system is a form of communication system in which data represent and are processed as a form of social memory. An information system can also be considered a semi-formal language which supports human decision making and action.

Information systems are the primary focus of study for the information systems discipline and for organisational informatics.(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information_system)

The later subject we have taken last semester was all about IS. And as a peek of my learnings of the first day:

Great and fun! That’s how our first class in MIS has been. It was all smiles and laughers from the moment the class started until it ended. Even when I was already outside the class room, I still can’t stop grinning; I can’t stop thinking how our teacher interpreted his students’ reaction when he gives a bunch of assignments.

Anal. Geom. was my first subject under the supervision of Sir Randy Gamboa then, followed by Stats and now in MIS. I am expecting that I’ll be able to understand MIS as clearly as possible and I hope that learning every single thing about MIS would be a lot of fun than the last two subjects I have gone under Sir Gamboa.

Management Information System or MIS deals with managing/supervising hard ware, soft ware and people ware. It has four basic keys, which are planning, directing, organizing and controlling. Other than these things, I have also learned the differences between managing and supervising. I have learned that managing is actually controlling while supervising is just giving directions and guides.

Blog was required to us by our teacher. So, I was obliged to establish a blog of my own. Then, I realize blogging is fun. Blogging as a way of sharing views, opinions and even experiences does works for me.

Over all, it was a lot of fun, really. The way Sir Gamboa welcomed the transferees was warm, really warm, and warm as they were in a hot seat. Then I have concluded that students in Tagum Campus love to sing. That’s all, I guess…^_^

A subject that I expect to give me jaw-aches, due to constant smiling and laughing; backaches because of being in a sitting position for too long; headache for squeezing out every English word from my vocabulary and maybe even heartache at the end of the semester.


Now that we have unederstood the nature of IS and have defined the scope of IS, we will now discussed about the risk associated with it. As a reference we will be using the details and informations have used and learned from hubport company.

Risk Associated with IS/IT Change

Hubport Interactive is an IT based company that enables a business to build an imperative subsistence in the online B2C (Business-to-Consumer) space. They empower their customers' websites to attain optimum function and revolutionizes business by creating online channels to effectively connect with existing clients and successfully tap new ones. Their accomplished E-Commerce Storefront encoders, Retail Shop Managers, and Online Marketing Consultants provide the technology backbone that launch prospering and profitable websites.(http://www.hubportinteractive.com/about-us.htm)

As the interviewee say, the company started only with eight people, which is composed of six(6) developers and two(2) designers. They don't really have an IS to keep track of their business' movement. They only use one(1) computer and basic softwares for their business. Records for the deadline is aided by pen and paper. From that very simple alliance they have evolve into something big that they even reached and surpassed the boundary of the Philippines. Now, they've been working with more or less one hundred and fifty(150) staffs. The speaker added that they started establishing and using IS for their growing business in the year late 2006, particularly on the month of November.

As he has discussed that the role of IS/IT in the business is, it is the core or the backbone of their business, in which these systems keep track of their customers, old and new, and their staffs. He define IT/IS very important, that is ranging from software, which is essential for website developing and it can identify errors and split them up much faster than usual, with manual; hardware on the other hand, acts as the server and it is necessary for the staffs to have at least one(1) computer each, these hardwares are connected to each other, which is technically called networking, particularly by WAN or wide-area network, they use WAN because the company is based from the main office, which is located at the United States of America or USA, through internet; peopleware as the speaker says, are the one who develops, secures and maintains hardware and software, thus software and hardware relies on the people ware. As he said, "Hardwares would just be there without peopleware". These three things work together to uphold the business thus, enabling them to reach the full functionality of their company so they can provide the very best solution they can give for their clients and customers.
The risk associated with Information System change in Hubport Interactive.

Hubport Interactive is the same organization or company we have visited for the first assignment, which is identifying their best practices regarding Information System. Now, I would have to tackle about the risks associated with IT change in the company.

As the IT Officer enumerated, the following are the risks they would have to take when changing IS:

* Data loss
Data loss may come in two reasons, first is, the data which is stored for quite sometime will be given up for the new data. Since system's memory is limited and coming in of new data is a continuous process, they would have to delete old data and will try to use the space for the new data; a secondary reason is, changing into new IS will tend to risk their data, especially when the new system has features that won't be compatible with the old system.

* Rejection of staffs
This may also come in to two situations. First, as from what we all know that there is always resistance between technology and people, meaning people tend to deny that IS/IT is a big help when it comes to maximizing time. Thus, when a new system is implemented, staffs will tend to reject it. The staffs will choose to use the old one other than the new one. It is maybe because, they find it hard or time consuming to learn the new system without knowing that they would have a better use of their time on the future if and only if they give time on learning the new system. The second reason may be hiring new personnel who knows best regarding the new IS, will push the company to ask the old IS personnel to resign, which is a very critical choice. It may be a bad move but that's business, the company will have to hire people or staffs who have a better understanding of what the position their trying to fill and reject those who are not needed.

Further problem of rejection of staff/s may also give high risk regarding the cost of the new personnel. This may push the company to pay bigger amount than the older system and personnel.

What is an IS Plan?

IS plan is a process for developing a strategy and plans for aligning information systems with the business strategies of an organization.

Here is a sample of Information System Plan of the Agriculture Department of State of Tennessee:

Prior to the beginning of the fiscal year (July 1), each agency develops an Information Systems Plan (ISP) covering a threeyear planning horizon. Year One identifies projects for the current fiscal year for which funding is already in place. Year Two covers the following fiscal year where funding will be requested in the budget submitted in October. Year three covers future projects. Development of the agency's ISP is a cooperative effort between executive management, business staff, and Information Systems staff. Agency executive management and business staff, with Information Systems staff assistance, perform the following activities:

Review of the strategic business plan for the agency, including the statement of mission,
goals, objectives, strategies, and priorities that set business direction.

Assessment of the current technological environment within the agency, including
evaluation of the primary hardware requirements, application software, and connectivity.

Development of an Information Technology Strategy based upon the analysis of the
current environment and the business goals to be achieved. This strategy identifies the
agency's short and longrange goals related to managing and sharing information and information technology in support of the agency’s business strategic plan. The strategy also addresses agency technology weaknesses and needs.

Information technology projects are identified and documented in the ISP in support of the Information Technology Strategy. These projects may include traditional application development or acquisition projects, as well as projects involving specific technologies including voice response systems, geographic information systems, and communication infrastructure projects. Each project with initial costs over $100,000 is described in a Project Proposal. The Project Proposal addresses the business process to be impacted by the project and specifies the business strategy or objectives supported by the project. A Cost Benefit Analysis document is also included to detail the costs, benefits, risks, and funding sources for the project. The Project Proposal and Cost Benefit Analysis provide a framework for an agency’s executive management to evaluate and prioritize proposed projects, as well as provide a mechanism to monitor costs and benefits during project implementation. These documents also provide executive management in State government with the information needed to understand the business impact to the State, prioritize projects on a statewide basis, and recommend funding.

The Information Systems Plans are reviewed and authorized by Management Advisory Committees (MACs) within each agency. Management Advisory Committees perform the following functions:

1. Sets the information technology agenda as an adjunct to the development of the
business strategy for the agency.
2. Ensures that the agency information technology strategy is carried out and that projects
are appropriately targeted to support specific business strategies.
3. Reviews the cost assumptions and benefit estimates in order to approve submission of
the project.
4. Sets priorities within the agency for a project in relation to other projects competing for
resources.
5. Ensures that authorized projects meet targets established in the project proposal and
cost benefit analysis.
6. Ensures that technology projects are in line with business needs and direction.
7. Authorizes the Information Systems Plan and the technology projects contained therein.
(http://www.tn.gov/finance/oir/planning/ispprocess.pdf)

If I were to prepare an IS plan for the university, I will follow the following steps in creating my Information System:

*Study the requirements and the processes and systems needed by both staffs and students. 

*Make sure the systems I will implement is a great help and is fully functioning.

*I will have to do a research and interview students and staffs with regards to the University's System, especially on busy days.

*I would have to provide a solution with regards to the problems of the student.

*Finally, implement the System

As for my opinion I would like to have every system in the university be a Mobile Application, so it would be easier for both parties (staffs and students) to get information and would be able to save money and time.

It would be best to have a security for the Information and this will only allow individual to access their own information only.