An information system takes in raw data (input), processes it, and outputs information. It requires devices for inputting data, processing it, outputting information, and storing data. Computerized information systems have advantages over manual systems like speed and the ability to access information simultaneously.

1. GCSE ICT
What is an Information System?

2. What is data?
• DATA is raw facts and figures.
• These have very little meaning until
they are sorted or they are used to
make calculations.
• The process of sorting or calculating
data is called DATA PROCESSING.
• The result of data processing is
INFORMATION.

3. Data Processing
Data is
Data Information
processed

4. Information
• INFORMATION is the meaning that we
attach to data.
• Without processing or additional
information, data is often
meaningless.

5. Information
• For example: What does the number
29061996 mean?
• Is it:
– A birthday? (29th June 1996)
– A bank account number?
– A club membership number?
– A telephone number?
• Without processing or more
information this data is meaningless.

6. The three stages of doing
tasks
Input Process Output
• Data is put into the information system.
(INPUT)
• The data is processed. (PROCESS)
• Information comes out of the information
system. (OUTPUT)

7. Manual information systems
• We are all used to using manual
information systems.
• An example of a manual information
system is a telephone directory.

8. Manual information systems
• All we need to know to find a person’s
telephone number in the telephone
book is their name and address.
(INPUT)
• We look up the name and the address
(PROCESS), and we find their
telephone number. (OUTPUT)

9. Manual information systems
Input Process Output
• Have the name and address. (INPUT)
• Look up the name and address. (PROCESS)
• Find the telephone number. (OUTPUT)

10. Manual information systems
• However, if the name is a common
one or the address is incomplete, the
process of finding the telephone
number becomes more difficult.
• This is because the telephone
directory is organised alphabetically
by surname, first name, and address.

11. Manual information systems
• If you have just the name and
telephone number, can the telephone
directory be used to find someone’s
address?
• If you have just a telephone number,
can the telephone directory be used to
find someone’s name and address?
• Manual information systems do have
disadvantages.

12. Computerised information
systems
• Computerised information systems
have several advantages over manual
information systems.
• These include:
– Greater flexibility
– Speed

13. Examples of computerised
information systems - 1
• DVLA – Driver Vehicle Licensing
Authority
• The DVLA has a computerised
database about every driver and
vehicle in the UK.
• This database can be used to find
information about a vehicle or driver
even if the data is incomplete.

14. Examples of computerised
information systems - 2
• SIMS – School Information
Management System
• The SIMS system (or something like it)
is used in most schools in the UK.
• It can be used to perform a large
number of different tasks using the
data stored within its databases.

15. Examples of computerised
information systems - 2
• These tasks include:
– Recording individual pupil attendance
– Storing a pupil’s personal details
(including home address and telephone
number, date of birth, emergency contact
numbers, medical conditions)
– Producing class and group lists for
teachers
– Collating a pupil’s annual school report

16. Advantages of computerised
information systems
• A single computer can store all the
information needed.
• By using several terminals different
people can access information at the
same time.
• Information is not duplicated.
• Information can be transferred to
other computer systems easily.

17. Disadvantages of computerised
information systems
• If the computer is not working
information can not be added,
processed or accessed.
• Users have to be trained.
• The computer system must be secure.

18. What can a computer do?

19. Answer the questions at the top of the screen .

20. Input Keyboard
Process Processor
Output Speaker
Storage Flash
memory
card
Thirty years ago a whole office-floor of equipment
was needed to do the things a modern mobile phone

21. What can a computer do?
Any system, including a computer system, can be broken
up into four sections:
Input Processing Output
Storage
Input is the raw data (numbers and letters) that is put
into the system.
Processing is the jobs that the computer does on the
data to turn it into…
…Output, which is the information that comes out of
the computer (the ring tone).
The system also needs to be able to Store data and
information (saving the ring tone).

22. Data
Data has no meaning in itself.
If we look at a string of data, such as:
30, 35, 32, 34, 38
we have no way of knowing what the numbers mean.
They have no context – we have nothing to relate them
to. However, if the above were temperatures, they can
give us information because then they are in context.
Computers can process data and turn it into
information.
Data Processing Information

23. What happens to the input to get
the output?

24. Devices
We have looked at what input, output, processing
and storage mean, but now we need to look at
the equipment that makes them happen.
We call these pieces of equipment devices.
There are Input devices, Processing devices
and Output devices.
Computers also store data and communicate
with other computers, so they have Storage
devices and Communication devices, too. Me too
I am a device
I am a device

25. • Input and Output devices are peripherals – they plug
into the computer and are arranged around it. (That is
where the word peripheral comes from, just like the perimeter
is the distance around a shape).
• Processing devices are inside the computer.
• Storage and Communications devices can be inside
(internal) or outside (external).

26. Basic computer system

27. Drag the peripherals from the bottom of
the screen to complete the table.

28. Summary
• A computer system can be broken down into
four sections: Input, Processing, Output and
Storage.
• Data needs to be processed to become
information.
• A computer needs devices to input, process,
output and store data.