2.2 Technology Perspective

	The most natural perspective IS can be studies from is the technological aspect.
	This entails considering the main phases information in business environments go through.
	These are input, processing and output as shown in Figure 2.1. Hardware and software technologies are essential for all the phases of IS.
	The input phase requires hardware IS in the form of physical equipment to allow users to enter and query data maintained by the IS.
	The processing stage involves executing some IS functionality (through hardware and software applications) to respond to user’s needs.
	This results in an output which must be exposed to the user through output devices.
	Storage is an inevitable part of IS to persistently store data for later retrieval and manipulation.

2.2 Technology Perspective

Figure 2.1 Phases of an Information Systems

2.2 Technology Perspective

	Information systems include significant information about people, places, things inside organization or outside.
	Information is a meaningful data, but data are streams of raw facts before being organized and processed (see Figure 2.2)

Figure 2.2 Data and Information

2.2 Technology Perspective

The decision to use a new information system is usually based on:

		Identifying the needs of end users (staff, customers) or
		The emergence of a new technology that has to be used to keep a competitive edge.

For example, introducing the use of Mobile Apps to provide services to customers.

Supporting a new management strategy.

For example, building a new web site in Chinese to support the company's new strategy of marketing its products in China.

	The development lifecycle of an information system includes defining the project, capturing and analyzing user requirements, designing the system, choosing the appropriate implementation technologies and implementing the system. Finally, testing and deploying the system is performed.
	Needed information systems can be developed in-house, contracted to specialized companies.

In addition, off-the shelf products can also be used.

The decision on which option to take could be based on a number of factors including budget, nature of the product and expertise availability.