Lesson one : Introduction to Information Systems

A system that has accepted and fixed rules and regulations and they follow fixed procedures of collecting, storing, processing, disseminating and using the data. The system is structured i.e. they operate in conformity with predefined procedures known as SOP (standard operating procedures.
Informal system
This is a system that relays on unstated rules of behavior. In this system there is no arrangement of how information is collected, stored or processed.
Deterministic system
A system which operates on some predefined procedures hence the future of the system can be predicted accurately depending on the situation events. For the future to be predicted accurately, the current state of affairs and the operations behavior or properties must be precisely known.
Probabilistic system
These are systems that operate on probability i.e. chance hence their future behavior cannot be determined accurately. An IS is both a deterministic and probabilistic system. It is deterministic in the sense that there is an assumption that definite information is expected from the input data worked upon according to some predefined instruction. An IS is probabilistic in that the output might bean unexpected composition.
Cybernetic system
These are systems that have to adapt to their environment for survival. They are also described as adoptive or self-organizing, self-monitoring, self-regulating system

Closed and open systems
Closed system this is a system that does not interact with its events. It does not communicate from inputs) or to (outputs) to its environment. They are more relevant to scientific systems than social systems. Open system a system which communicates with the environment. they get disorganized and need to be regulated.

The system is concept is made more useful by inclusion of
• Feedback data about the performance of the system
• Control systems that monitors the performance of the system by evaluating the feedback.
Entropy: characteristics where performance of the system tends to deteriorate overtime. It is also known as tendency of a system to lose its homosteostasis.

Chapter Summary
The new relationship between organization and IS shows that there is a growing interdependence between organizational business strategy, rules and procedures on the one hand and information system software, hardware, databases and telecommunications on the other. The changes in strategy, rules and procedures require changes in hardware, software, databases and telecommunications.