Download Study Guide 2

IE 327
Fall 2011
Study Guide 2
(This Study Guide will be revised based on class discussions.)
Topics to cover: Information, Database, Database Design and ACCESS
Software, Information Technology, The Role of Information
Technology in Systems Engineering, the Role of IE in IT
Main source: Stephen Haag, Maeve Cummings, and Donald McCubbrey, "Management
Information Systems for the Information Age", 3rd Edition and 4th Edition, McGrawHill, 2002 and 2004 (Some copies are in Supplementary Notes.)
Students will provide their Definition of Information Technology from different sources.
a) Information
Haag page ?: Data are raw facts or observations that describe a particular phenomenon.
For example, the current temperature, the cost of a part, and your age are all data.
Information is simply data that have a particular meaning within a specific context. For
example, if you’re trying to decide what to wear, the current temperature is information
because it’s pertinent to your decision at hand. Information may be data that have been
processed in some way or presented in a more meaningful fashion. Knowledge comes
from having information. Gaining knowledge through information is the role of IT.
Cost of a part may be “information” to a sales clerk who uses it to sell the part. But, it
can only be a “data” to accountant who will calculate the value of inventory as
“information”.
Haag page 19: Example on diaper sale on Friday.
Haag page 8: Sources of data/information in an organization:
Outward flow of information: communications to customers, suppliers, and other partners
Upward flow of information: How the organization is operating and transactions that
have occurred.
Downward flow of information: strategies, goals, and directives
Horizontal flow of information: communications among various functional units and
work teams.
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b) Database
Haag page 86-9: A database is a collection of information that you organize and access
according to the logical structure of that information. A data dictionary contains the
logical structure of information in a database. A primary key is a field in the database
file that uniquely describes each record. A foreign key is a primary key of one file that
also appears in another file. A database management system (DBMS) is the software
you use to specify the logical organization for a database and access it. Figure 3.4
Haag page 96-100 and 118: Two major types of databases are Relational database and
Object-Oriented database. Figure 3.14 is an example of relational database (SQL
language). Figure 3.15 is an example of OO database. An object includes (or
encapsulates) both information about a specific entity class and the software instruction
(procedures) to work with that information.
Haag page 98: Video Rental database example has 4 tables (entity classes), each table has
several fields (columns) for information and contains several records (rows, instances).
The following represents a semi Entity-Relationship diagram.
Video Rental database: Below are some sample questions (Query and Reporting) and
possible applications.
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a) What type of movies does the customer X rent? Use the answer to provide a list
of suggested movies for customer X.
b) Histogram on frequency of different types of movies rented. Use the answer to
order enough of each movie so that the shelves are not empty.
c) Add a database (table) for complaints or problems reported. Use this for
improving customer service.
d) Keep track on last time a customer rented a movie or a customer who rents a lot.
Use this to contact customers and provide promotions.
e) Find how many customers you have in each area. Use this to check if you cover
enough percentage of surrounding areas.
More examples on relational databases are in pages: 118, 124, 127, 174, and 241
c) Database Design and Access Software
When designing a database we should consider:
a) who will input data, how to check input data
b) who can access database and for what sort of information
c) who updates database, who is responsible for information on database
Parisay’s handout called “Introduction to Database Design and Access”. (In
Supplementary Notes)
d) Information Technology
Haag page 15, 53-4, 57: Information Technology has two major branches: hardware and
software. Categories of Input devices, Output devices, and Storage media.
Video clip from Microsoft.net will be watched in class.
Haag page 100-103: A Data Warehouse is a logical collection of information – gathered
from many different operational databases – that supports business analysis activities and
decision-making tasks. Data Mining tools are the software tools you use to query
information in a data warehouse. Data mining tools include query-and-reporting tools,
intelligent agents, expert systems, neural network, genetic algorithms, and multidimensional analysis tools.
Haag page 140-4: A geographic information system (GIS) is a decision support system
designed specifically to work with spatial information. Spatial information is any
information that can be shown in map form, such as roads, sewer systems, and the layout
of electrical lines. The idea of “a picture is still worth a thousand words”. Figure 4.10
Refer to video clip on: http://www.esri.com/what-is-gis/index.html
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the science of making machines to imitate human thinking
and behavior. An expert (knowledge-based) system is an AI system that makes
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computers capable of reasoning through a problem to reach a conclusion. (Page 145,
Table 4.1)
Hagg page 150-1: Neural Networks
Commercial databases:
Oracle: http://www.oracle.com/index.html is one of the major companies developing
database management systems (DBMS), tools for database development, middle-tier
software (Fusion Middleware), enterprise resource planning software (ERP), customer
relationship management software (CRM) and supply chain planning (SCM) software.
For a list of relational database management systems and their comparison refer to:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_relational_database_management_systems
e) The Role of Information Technology in Systems Engineering
Parisay’s example called “Sunco Blending Problem: Database Design, Information
Technology”. (On Class Note web page and in Supplementary Notes)
Hagg page 48: It is not the technology that gives a company a competitive advantage; it is
the way that people use the technology that makes the difference. Refer to the example of
Porsche and two drivers, one a young person who is a racecar driver and the other an old
person who drives an old car.
f) The role of IE in IT
1- Analyze and improve information flow: Find out what (where) are the sources of
data, the forms of data (data specifications), and the flow of information. Decide
on the data that needs to be collected considering their application.
2- Prepare the entity-relationship diagram and data specifications.
3- Design interface for data entry on monitor such as Forms and applications from
databases such as reports.
4- Consider security, updates, privacy (accessibility), and back up issues.
5- Ethics (Haag, page 314, flower shop)
Last updated: 9-20-2011
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