1. Information Systems In
Context

2. Environment
Information
System
Information Processes
Participants
Data /
Information
Information
Technology
Main Components of an information system
Purpose
• Who it is for?
• Need(s) they have
boundary
Users

3. Environment

4. Environment
Information
System
ENVIRONMENT
Definition: The
environment is everything
that influences, and is
influenced by, the
information system and its
purpose.
Description: The
information system has an
impact on the environment,
and in turn, the environment
has an impact on the
information system.

5. Environment
Information
System
Boundary
Definition: The boundary
defines what is the
information system and
what is the environment.
Description: The
information system may
have to use features that
belong to the environment,
which the information
system can not change.

6. Environment
Information
System
Main Components of an information system
PURPOSE
Definition: The purpose is
the reason(s) for the
creation and existence of
the information system.
Description: There are a
lot of reasons for the
development of
information systems (e.g.
a need for a list of all the
food requirements for
animals in a zoo).
Purpose
• Who it is for?
• Need(s) they have

7. Environment
Information
System
Information Processes
Participants
Data /
Information
Information
Technology
Purpose
• Who it is for?
• Need(s) they have
Main Components of an information system
INFORMATION
SYSTEM
Definition: A group of
elements that work together.
It is created to achieve the
purpose. It operates in a
particular environment.
Description: An information
system performs a set of
processes that require:
participants, data or
information and information
technology.
Note: There are also other
systems such as the natural
systems (water cycle).
Users

8. Environment
Information
System
Information Processes
Participants
Data /
Information
Information
Technology
Purpose
• Who it is for?
• Need(s) they have
Main Components of an information system
INFORMATION
PROCESSES
Definition: These are the
processes of collecting,
organising, analysing,
storing and retrieving,
processing, transmitting
and receiving and
displaying.
Description: Information
processes involve both
computer and non-
computer activities carried
out to develop and
maintain an information
system.
Note: Can also be non-
computer processes.
Users

9. Environment
Information
System
Information Processes
Participants
Data /
Information
Information
Technology
Purpose
• Who it is for?
• Need(s) they have
Main Components of an information system
RESOURCES
PARTICIPANTS
Definition: These are the
people who carry out the
processes within the
information system.
Description: Participants
are the users of the
information system who
play a direct or indirect
role in the development
and use of the system.Resources
Users

10. Environment
Information
System
Information Processes
Participants
Data /
Information
Information
Technology
Purpose
• Who it is for?
• Need(s) they have
Main Components of an information system
RESOURCES
DATA /
INFORMATION
Definition: Data is the raw
material that information
processes deal with,
information is the output
from that data once it has
been processed and given
meaning by people.
Description: Data can take
many forms such as
graphics, audio, video,
text or numbers and its
use will be determined by
the purpose of the
information system.
Resources
Users

11. Environment
Information
System
Information Processes
Participants
Data /
Information
Information
Technology
Purpose
• Who it is for?
• Need(s) they have
Main Components of an information system
RESOURCES
INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY
Definition: This is the
hardware and software
used in information
processes.
Description: Hardware will
not operate without
software.
Resources
Users

12. Environment
Information
System
Information Processes
Participants
Data /
Information
Information
Technology
Purpose
• Who it is for?
• Need(s) they have
Main Components of an information system
Users
Definition: Users are
people who view the
output from an
information system.
Description: A user may
utilise the services of a
bank from an ATM
Resources
Users

13. Environment
Information
System
Information Processes
Participants
Data /
Information
Information
Technology
Purpose
• Who it is for?
• Need(s) they have
Main Components of an information system
Note: Arrows indicate the
interacting relationship of
the components. Changes
of one affects the other
associated components.
Resources
Users

14. Environment
Information
System
Information Processes
Participants
Data /
Information
Information
Technology
Main Components of an information system
Purpose
• Who it is for?
• Need(s) they have
Resources
Users