What is an Information System?

Information System is basically a computer-based system that involves in collecting, storing and processing data in an organized way. Information system is used daily by each and every organization to manage their task for a productive business.

Information system helps in storing and organizing the data efficiently. It collects the data, categorizes them and stores them accordingly and makes our work easier and faster while retrieving a particular part of the information. A good information system can help get any info you need quickly and efficiently. Information system include a combination of hardware, software, database and the user.

Information system include a combination of hardware, software, database and the user. Hardware is a physical device that are used for information processing like the smartphone, computer, keyboard, external disk drives and routers. The next component of information system is software. Software basically guides the hardware on what task to perform. Software is used for handling the data that has been provided using different database management system. Network acts as a bridge to connect two system for the exchange of data. The database helps in the management and organization of scattered data. And finally, the last and most important component of information system is the user. The user utilizes all these other components to collect and organize the information to create a functional database. All these components are dependent with each other. Firstly, the analyst collects and organises data using software like DBMS and hardware component like the computer which can be transmitted over different places of world with almost no time delay.

Information system plays a vital role in an organization especially a business organization. With an information system, businesses can save time and money while making smarter decisions. The key role of information system in an organization is to support the aspects such as communication, record keeping, data analysis and more.

Information systems can give you a competitive advantage and provide the data you need to make faster, smarter business decisions. In modern age, there is an intensive use of information system for the management of huge pile of data. For Instance, let’s look at Facebook. Facebook collects data from us based on our activity on Facebook, profile information, demographic location, device use information and off-Facebook activity. After collecting these data, it organizes that information and targets us different types of ads accordingly. This is all possible due to the use of information system.

What are databases?

Data are raw fact collected from different sources. When these raw data are collected, organized and presented in a meaningful way, it is known as information. Databases are the well-organized collection of these information. Database makes the management of information easy. A database is usually controlled by a database management system (DBMS).

A DBMS is a system software used for creating and managing database. DBMS has a huge advantage over File system. In DBMS, the data can be accessed by multiple user at the same time from different places. Using query in DBMS, we can access even the smallest part of data from the database without having to retrieve the whole database. But in file system the whose data needs to be retrieved to access even the smallest part of it which is slow and not memory efficient. DBMS provides role-based access control hence controlling the amount of data to each of the user.

Database is very much important for both small and large organization because it manages data efficiently while increasing the data security. With a well-managed database, the organization can keep track with the progress, determine better strategy for the advancement of the organization and counter the problems accordingly. The database can save on operating costs for an organization to manage information. Database provides strong data security so that it can only be accessed or manipulated by those who are given authority. Database easily counters data redundancy. Database assists the organization in managing the data of their employees, consumers and their sales for a productive business.

Database is much more efficient than paper storage. It is free, less costly, takes up very minimal space and can be accessed by multiple users at any time from any place in the world. For example, in a bank, database keeps track of the information of the staffs as well as the customers, the financial transactions, credit card processing. All these data can be transmitted over different branches of bank conveniently with no time delay.