Introduction to Information Systems

Name: Introduction to Information Systems
Rating: 4.4 (53 reviews)

What you need to build in-demand career skills

Created byAlaa Youssef

Last updated 1/2025

English

English [Auto],

What you'll learn

Understand what information system is.
Distinguish between Information Systems and Information Technology
Identify The main components of information systems.
Identify Types of Information Systems.
Understand the system Development Lie Cycle (SDLC).
Using Information Systems for Competitive Advantage

Course content

6 sections • 35 lectures • 3h 22m total length

Introducing Information Systems2:43
Explore what an information system is, how it differs from information technology, and why organizations use it, viewing it as an umbrella term for systems, people, and processes.
Distinguish between Information Systems and Information Technology4:34
Distinguish information systems from information technology, noting that information systems focus on information and its processing, while information technology provides the hardware, software, and backbone for these systems.
Why do organizations introduce a new Information System?4:00
Organizations introduce new information systems to enhance efficiency and effectiveness amid competitive markets. ERP or PDM enable information sharing, seamless access, and cross-functional collaboration, boosting knowledge management and innovation.
Data vs. Information.5:38
Turn raw data from surveys and readings into meaningful information by processing it and placing it in context to enable clear insights and decisions.
Information Processing Cycle6:08
Describe the information processing cycle, covering input methods (manual, direct, sensors), processing with programs, output devices, and storage technologies (hard drives and flash memory).
IS_Quiz.1

6.1. Main Components of an Information system7:03
Introducing main components of an information systems
Components_Quiz.2
6.2. Internal Hardware7:22
Explain internal hardware and different parts of a computer system.
6.3.1. Input Devices- Manual Input10:29
Explain Input Devices- Manual Input devices, that are used by people to enter data themselves.
6.3.2. Input Devices- Direct Input9:37
Explain Input Devices, Direct Input systems that enable data to be entered directly without human intervention
6.3.3 Input Devices- Sensors4:25
Sensors: Explain Input Devices used to Collect Data Automatically
6.4.1 Output Devices5:00
Covers output devices such as monitors ad speakers
6.4.2 Output Devices- Printers and Plotters8:31
Covers output devices such as Printers and plotters
6.4.3 Control Systems6:09
Explain how actuators convert computer signals into motion and how sensors and a control computer form an automated greenhouse using light, temperature sensors, heater, water pump, and window control.
6.5.1 Storage5:58
Explore magnetic, optical, and solid state storage media and devices, including flash memory. Distinguish direct access from sequential access, noting disks enable quick direct reads while tapes require sequential access.
6.5.2 Magnetic Media3:23
Explore magnetic media, including fixed and portable hard disks, for storing operating systems, applications, and files with indexed access and USB connectivity, and learn about magnetic tape for backups.
6.5.3 Optical Media6:18
Explore optical media types such as CD, CD-ROM, DVD, and Blu-ray, including capacity, read/write differences, and rewritable formats used for software delivery, video storage, and archiving.
6.5.4 Solid State Media2:33
Explore solid state media, including USB memory sticks and flash memory cards, as compact non-volatile storage used to store and transfer files across devices like cameras, phones, and game consoles.
6.5.5 Backups2:05
Backups provide a copy of data to recover if the original file is damaged. Store backups on separate, removable media and keep archives for data not regularly used but retrievable.
6.6 Types of Computer Systems11:53
6.7 Software Explained5:36
Differentiate system software from application software and identify their roles. Explain components like operating systems, utilities, compilers, linkers, and device drivers, and recognize general purpose versus custom made software.
6.8 Database4:24
Define data and explain how databases store, retrieve, and manipulate information; outline structure with files, tables, records, and fields, and role of database management systems as Oracle and Microsoft Access.
Hw/Sw_Quiz.3

System Planning4:43
The Planning Phase will be the starting point in a 7 phases model of the system development life cycle
SDLC-Planning-Quiz-1
System Analysis6:47
System analysis collects factual data, identifies problems, and recommends feasible solutions by examining business processes, end-user needs, and information flow to specify functional, software, hardware, and network requirements.
SDLC-Analysis-Quiz
System Design4:31
SDLC-Design-Quiz
System Validation Techniques6:02
The lecture explains system validation techniques that reduce data entry errors. It covers required field, rain check, time check, length check, lookup list, check digit, and format check.
Validation-Quiz
System Development4:35
System Implementation6:09
SDLC-Implementation-Quiz
System Documentation2:17
Discover how technical and user documentation support future system maintenance, reflect changes, and guide programmers and users through system purpose, limitations, requirements (hardware and software), file structure, and error handling.
System Evaluation and Maintenance4:40
Assess how the system meets business and functional requirements, reliability, and usability, then describe ongoing maintenance via error correction, feature additions, and performance improvements.
SDLC-Evaluation-Quiz

How Zara utilizes information systems4:18
How Zara utilizes information systems. Case Study
Real-world applications of Information Systems in Fashion retail industry.
Background
Challenges faced before implementing robust information systems
Solution4:42
Solution: Advanced Information Systems at Zara.
Zara implemented a suite of information systems that spanned across various stages of its operations.
Results and Benefits of using Information Systems6:20
Explore Results and Benefits of Information Systems at Zara

Requirements

No prerequisites.

Description

This course is designed as an introductory course meant for those with little or no experience with computers or information systems. It provides you with the basic knowledge of the different elements of information systems: the building blocks that can be combined in a variety of different ways to suit particular business needs, and to build on this knowledge further.

Businesses, organizations and individuals across a spectrum of fields rely on technology to carry out their day-to-day tasks. With increasing demand for the use of technology in businesses, there is a growing need for individuals who can make the best use of Information technology. The ability to understand the various business processes and create a link between the users or customers and the technology is the primary role of the Information Systems Specialist.

Every businessperson should understand what an information system is and how it can be used to bring a competitive advantage. The advances in technology not only call for people who can work with Information Technology, but also those individuals who have a sound understanding of how organizations make use of technology to function effectively and efficiently.

In this course you will:

1. Understand what information system is.

2. Understand the differences between information systems and information technology

3. Identify The main components of information systems.

4. Identify Types of Information Systems.

5. Learn about using Information Systems for Competitive Advantage.

6. Understand the system Development Life Cycle (SDLC).

Who this course is for:

Systems analyst, Business analyst, Project manager, Information officer, Database administrator, Applications Developer
Whether you're looking to go on to further education, improve your job prospects or expand your knowledge, this course is ideal way to gain a qualification in Information Systems through home study.

Introduction to Information Systems

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Introduction5 lectures • 23min

The main components of information systems.16 lectures • 1hr 41min

Types of Information Systems2 lectures • 12min

Using Information Systems for Competitive Advantage.1 lecture • 12min

The system Development Life Cycle (SDLC) methodology.8 lectures • 40min

Case Study3 lectures • 15min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: