1.3 Information System Environment

	Information system is a set of interrelated components that collect, manipulate, disseminate, store data and
	information to support decision making and provide feedback to meet an objective.

	The following figure illustrates an analogy of the three basic operations of an information system in
	manufacturing system.

1.3 Information System Environment

The three basic operations of information system are:

Input: involves capturing and assembling data that enters the system.

Processing: involves the transformation processes that convert input into output.

		Output: involves transferring elements that have been produced by a transformation process to their
		ultimate destination.

	Storage is the information system activity in which data are retained in an organized manner for later use while
	feedback is output that is returned to appropriate members of the organization to help them evaluate or correct
	the input stage

1.3 Information System Environment

The latter figure demonstrates the information system activities and the surrounding environment.

Information System Resources

	Information systems need resources to be able to work. People, network, hardware, software and data work
	together to create usable information system.

1.3 Information System Environment

	People resources include end users and information system specialists. End users are those people who use
	information system. Information system specialists are those people who develop and operate information
	systems.

	Hardware resources include all physical devices required for input, processing and output activities of
	information system. Hardware resources include computer system and computer peripherals.

	Software resources consist of the set of instructions written to direct and control the computer hardware
	components in an information system. Software resources include system software and application software.

	Network resources consist of computers, communications processors, and other devices interconnected by
	communications media and controlled by communications software. Network resources include communication
	media, network infrastructure.

The data resources of information systems are typically organized into:

Database that hold processed and organized data.

		Knowledge bases that hold knowledge in variety of forms such as facts, rules, and case examples about
		successful business practices.