Information Systems IN context

At its core, an information system is one whose primary role is to convert data into information. The data is collected, processed using the system's various resources, and subsequently the resulting information is yield.

Environment

The environment refers to the circumstances and conditions that surround an information system. This means everything which influences the system or is influenced by the system

To be specific, the environment in which an information system operates is everything that influences and is influenced by the information system  BUT IS NOT  part of the information system. It includes all of the circumstances and components that surround the system. This includes the users which do not  directly  interact or perform processes within the system. That means that users who are not participants count as part of the environment. More on participants further.

The information system may collect data from and display information to these indirect users. However, they do not participate in the information system's operation.

Boundary

The boundary is ​the classification of a system from its surroundings. The boundary distinguishes between what belongs to the system and what belongs to the environment.

To be specific, the boundary defines what is part of the information system and what is part of the environment. It is the delineation between the system and its environment. 

For example, take an ATM. An ATM is an information system, its primary purpose is strictly to process the data in which it receives into information and act accordingly through displaying account details, PINs, and transaction details on the monitor. These processes occur within an environment and can't be entirely controlled by the ATM system alone.

Purpose

A statement identifying who the information system is for and what it needs to achieve.

The purpose of an information system is to fulfil some need(s). To achieve this purpose is the aim or objective of the system. The purpose of the system is the whole reason for the system's existence. 

To accurately realise the system's purpose requires an understanding of who the information system is for and what they need to achieve. Thus, the purpose of an information system is very closely linked to the needs of those which it was created for.

For example, take a school timetable. Each school needs a timetable to operate effectively. The requirements relate to each teacher and student knowing where they should be and what they should be doing at any given time.

Information Processes

Refers to what needs to be done to collect and transform data into useful information. These activities direct and coordinate the system's resources to achieve the system's purpose.

Collecting, analysing, storing and retrieving, processing, transmitting and receiving and displaying are all examples of information processes. Together these seven basic activities are what needs to be done to transform the data into useful information.  

For example, take a mailing list. Considering what needs to be done, or the information processes, necessary for this information system to operate:

• Names need to be collected
• Email addresses will be collected
• We decide the format we will use for our mailing list.
• Recognise the first letter of the surname to enable correct data storing.

Participants

To begin, Users  are people who view or use the information output from an information system.

Participants  are a special class of user who carriers out (or initiates) the information processes within an information system.

Participants are a special case of use who carry out or initiate the information processes. Users are all the people who view or make use of the information output from an information system. Participants also view or use information from the system, however they are also actively involved in the operation of the information system.

Participants are involved in the actual operation of the system and are integral to that operation, in essence they are resources used by the system. Thus indirect users and developers are not considered participants in the system.

Participants are made up of all the personnel who are used by the information processes of the system. This includes managers, data entry operators and other users who initiate or perform information processes as part of the system's operation. 

Data/Information

Data  refers to the raw material used by information processes. Information  is the output displayed by an information system. Knowledge is acquired when information is received. 

Data is the raw material of an information system in the same way as timber is the raw material for a carpenter building a deck. The whole aim of an information system is to process data into information. Thus data is a required resource for all information systems.

The data is transformed using information processes into something useful that achieves the system's purpose.