This document discusses systems concepts in management information systems. It defines a system as an orderly grouping of interdependent components working together according to a plan to achieve a specific objective. A system has inputs, processes, outputs, and feedback/control mechanisms. It also has boundaries and interacts with its environment. The document describes different types of systems including closed/open, deterministic/probabilistic, human/machine, adaptive/non-adaptive, simple/complex, and abstract/concrete systems. It provides examples of systems like an educational institution and a manufacturing plant.

1. Management Information Systems
System Concept in MIS
Prepared By:
Mohammed Jasir PV
Asst. Professor
NBS, Koratty
Contact: 9605 69 32 66

2. System concept
Definition, Types & Characteristics of System

3. System Concept
• Derived from Greek word 'Systema’ - means an organised relationship
among functional units or components
• Definition :- A system is an orderly grouping of interdependent
components linked together according to a plan to achieve a specific
objective

4. Definitions
• A system is a group of interrelated components, with a clearly defined
boundary, working toward the attainment of a common goal by accepting
inputs and producing outputs in an organized transformation process
• It can be defined as a set of interacting entities with interrelationships /
interconnections amongst each other forming an integrated whole
• A set of components that interact to accomplish goals
• Systems can be viewed as process models in terms of their inputs, outputs,
processing, and feedback/control mechanisms

5. What is a System?
A system is…
o A set of interrelated components
o With a clearly defined boundary
o Working together
o To achieve a common set of objectives
o By accepting inputs and producing outputs
o In an organized transformation process

6. System
A set of
components
that work
together to
achieve a
common goal
Definition Components
Processing
Feedback / Control
Input Output
Boundaries
Environment

7. System - Examples
NBS
• Inputs: Students, Faculty, Textbooks
• Processing mechanisms: Teaching, Research, Service
• Output: Graduates
• Goal: Acquisition of knowledge

8. System - Examples
Toyota Plant
• Inputs: raw materials, components
• Processes: assembly line
• Output: mini-vans, cars etc
• Feedback: customer surveys, quality reports

9. Characteristics of A System
• Have a specific structure
• Have inputs and outputs
• Have measures of performance
• Has an environment
• Has a purpose
• A model of reality

10. Elements or components of a system & its role
 Input - Capturing and assembling
 Processor - Transformation
 Outputs - Value to user
 Controls - Guides the system
 Feedback - Actual against standard
 Environment - Super system
 Boundaries and interface - Limits when interfaces with another

11. Basic Functions
• Input:- Involves capturing and assembling elements that enter the
system to be processed
• Processing:- Involves transformation processes that convert input
into output
• Output:- Involves transferring elements that have been produced
by a transformation process to their ultimate destination
Processing
Input Output

12. Types of Systems
1. Closed and Open system
2. Deterministic, Probabilistic and Random systems
3. Human, Machine and Human-machine system
4. Adaptive and Non-adaptive systems
5. Simple and Complex Systems
6. Abstract and Concrete Systems

13. Types of Systems (Contd..)
1. Closed and Open system
• A system is said to be closed if it does not interact with
the environment in which it exists
It is in the state of isolation
• A system is said to be open when it interacts with the
environment in which it exists
It exchanges inputs and outputs with the environment

14. 2. Deterministic, Probabilistic and Random systems
• A system is deterministic if its outputs are certain and fully known
• A probabilistic system is one where the output from the system
behaves probabilistically, ie, the output is predictable according to
probability values
• Random systems are completely unpredictable systems
Types of Systems (Contd..)

15. 3. Human, Machine and Human-machine system
• A human system consists of humans as components
It is an open system exhibiting probabilistic behavior
Eg: Department
• A machine system is composed entirely of machines and machine
subsystems
It is deterministic and relatively closed
Eg: Fire alarm system.
• A human-machine system which consist of humans and machines
Eg: information system
Types of Systems (Contd..)

16. 4. Adaptive and Non-adaptive systems
• A system is said to be adaptive if it modifies itself with the changes
in its environment
• A non-adaptive system does not react to changes in its environment
Types of Systems (Contd..)

17. 5. Simple and Complex Systems
• A simple system is one in which there are few interrelated entities
• A complex system is one in which there a lot of components with a
lot of interrelations amongst them
Types of Systems (Contd..)

18. 6. Abstract and Concrete System
• An abstract system is an ordered arrangement of concepts
It can be procedural or conceptual
• Concrete systems are systems in which at least two
components are objects
It can be physical or social systems
Types of Systems (Contd..)

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