CAVENDISH UNIVERSITY – ZAMBIA

ASSIGNMENT BRIEF AND FEEDBACK FORM

STUDENT No. 47-162

LECTURER: MRS. RUTH CHILUFYA

MODULE: INFORMATION SYSTEMS

MODULE CODE: ICT 113

ASSIGNMENT NUMBER: One

DATE HANDED OUT: 02th MARCH, 2019

DATE DUE IN: 2nd APRIL ,2019

ASSIGNMENT BRIEF:

Business Information Systems is an important tool for any company to manage

their information. This has broad categories such as: Operational Systems
/Transaction processing Systems (TPS), Management Information Systems,
Decision Support Systems (DSS), Expert Systems (ES), Office Automation Systems
(OAS). Choose any Zambian company and explain how they have used Business
Information Systems in their organization.

ICT 113 ASSIGNMENT 1 047-162

STUDENT INSTRUCTIONS

1. This form must be attached to the front of your assignment.

2. The assignment must be handed in without fail by the submission date (see assessment schedule for your course).

3. Ensure that submission date is date stamped by the reception stuff when you hand it in.

4. Late submission will not be entertained unless with prior agreement with the tutor.

5. All assessable assignments must be word processed.

This assignment is intended to assess the student’s knowledge in all of the following areas.
However, greater emphasis should be given to those items marked with a tick.

(Tutor: - please tick as applicable)

SL ASSESSMENT SKILLS Please Tick

No
1 Good and adequate interpretation of the question

2 Knowledge and application of the relevant theories

3 Use of relevant and practical examples to back up theories

4 Ability to transfer and relate subject topic to each other

5 Application and use of appropriate models

6 Evidence of library research

7 Knowledge of theories

8 Written business English communication skills

9 Use of visual (graphs) communication

10 Self-assessed ‘time management’

11 Evidence of field research

Tutor’s Marks contribution

(Administrative only)
LECTURER’S FEEDBACK

ICT 113 ASSIGNMENT 1 047-162

 SOLUTION:

BUSINESS INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Business Information Systems (BIS) are sets of interrelated procedures using Information
Technology (IT) infrastructure in a business enterprise to generate and disseminate desired
information. Such systems are designed to support decision-making by the people associated
with the enterprise in the process of attainment of its objectives.

The Business Information System gets data and other resources of IT infrastructure as input from
the environment and process them to satisfy the information needs of different entities associated
with business innovativeness. There are systems of control over the use of IT resources and the
feedback system offers useful clues for increasing the benefits of Information Systems of
business. The BIS are sub-systems business systems and by themselves serve the function of
feedback and control in the business system.

TYPES OF BIS THAT CAN BE IMPLEMENTED BY CYBER GUARD SECURITY

COMPANY ZAMBIA.

1. TRANSACTION PROCESSINS SYSTEMS (TPS):

These are basic business systems that serve the operational level of the organization by
recording the daily routine transactions required to conduct business, such as payroll and
sales receipts.

Cyber Guard Security Co. can use TPS to the following advantage:

 The TPS keep a stable database and reduces risk of loss of user information in the
occurrence of terminal or network failure.

 The TPS is able to effectively recover from operating system failure and also
handle system failures depending on what stage the transaction was in when the
system failure occurred.

 It is versatile as it encourages the use of online payment systems in real time and
increases more payment methods.

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  TPS is swift and cost effective.

 The use of TPS in organizations is a key feature in improving customer service

and satisfaction.

 The use of TPS in Cyber Guard Security Co. can minimize the occurrence of error
during data transactions

 A TPS allows for the user/customer to have a level of reliability and confidence
during transactions.

2. MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS (MIS):

Management Information Systems, refers to a computer based methodology that equips

decision makers in an organization with the tools to organize, evaluate and efficiently
manage departments. The process chiefly involves storing of data and generating reports
that will throw light on the business key points to make right decisions. The MIS system
may also include software that supports decision-making. The software keeps a complete
record of the past and current data in the required format and presents it for analysis
whenever it is needed.

Cyber Guard Security Co. can also use MIS to improve the companies well-being.
Management Information Systems serve middle manager’s interests by providing current
and historical performance information to aid in planning, controlling, and decision-
making at a management level in the security company. MIS typically compress
Transaction Processing Systems data to present regular reports on the security company’s
basic operations e.g. sales and cancellations.

ICT 113 ASSIGNMENT 1 047-162

 3. DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEMS (DSS):

A Decision Support System (DSS) is an information system that supports business or

organizational decision-making activities. DSSs serve the management, operations and
planning levels of an organization (usually mid and higher management) and help people
make decisions about problems that may be rapidly changing and not easily specified in
advance-i.e. unstructured and semi-structured decision problems.

Cyber Guard Security Co. can also employ the use of DSS, or business intelligence
systems, help managers with non-routine decisions that are unique, rapidly changing, and
not easily specified in advance. DSS are more analytical than MIS, using a variety of
models to analyse internal and external data or condense large amounts of data for
analysis.

DSS can benefit Cyber Guard Security Co. as follows:

 Improve efficiency and speed of decision-making processes or activities.

 Increase the control, competitiveness and capability of futuristic decision-making

of the firm.

 Facilitates interpersonal communication.

 Encouraging leaning and/or training.

 Since it is mostly used in non-programmed decisions, it it reveals new

approaches and sets up new evidence for unusual decision.

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  Help automate managerial processes.

4. KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS (KMS):

Knowledge Management (KM) is process of creating, sharing, using and managing the
knowledge information of an organization. It refers to a multidisciplinary approach to
achieving organizational objectives by making the best use of knowledge. For firm like
Cyber Guard Security Co., KMS is very important because it can help the company focus
on organizational objectives such as improved performance, competitive advantage,
innovation, the sharing of lessons learned, integration and continuous improvement of the
company.

A KMS is an extremely valuable asset for Cyber Guard Security Co. because it:

 Maintains organisational knowledge: a KMS preserves a business’s/firm’s secrets

and knowledge and allows users to leverage it to the organization’s advantages.
Having a well-maintained KMS increases the competitive edge of a firm.

 Promote never-ending learning: a KMS encourages employees to search for the

solutions to problems or issues rather than referring to a help desk or supervisor.
This creates a continuous learning environment and develops analytical and
creative thing in employees. Also, the information age we are in makes having
continuous access to information necessary.

 Increase productivity: as previously mentioned, a KMS provides users with

immediate access to information, hence the improved productivity. If Cyber
Guard Security Co.’s KMS is well-maintained and employees are well trained in
its use, the business overall performance will improve, KMS user will no longer
be forced to wait for assistance from an overburdened help desk or supervisor.
Rather they will be able to resolve their own issues effectively and in a timely
manner.

 Connecting knowledge: KMS creates a mutually beneficial relationship between

employees. Two employees might input the limited knowledge they each have
and discover that the two pieces of information complement each other. This

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 provides more comprehensive and inclusive content from which Cyber Guard
Security Co. may or can benefit.

 Encouraging organisational communication: users can communicate with

knowledge providers in the security company for more information or further
clarification or an issue. Inter-organisational collaboration and networking creates
strong and healthy relationships and promotes teamwork.

 Provides standardised approaches: in the same way newspapers and magazines

follow certain style books, Cyber Guard Security Co. can leverage a KMS to
enforce a standard paradigm for all employees to follow this eliminates
inconsistencies, misunderstandings and the unnecessary repetition of instructions
in the workplace.

5. EXPERT SYSTEMS (ES):

In Artificial Intelligence (AI), an Expert System is a computer system that emulates the
decision-making ability of a human expert. Expert Systems are designed to solve
complex problems by reasoning through bodies of knowledge, represented mainly as if –
then rules rather than through conventional procedural code. Expert Systems can be
utilized by Cyber Guard Security Co. to:

 Monitor all security personnel in the field and all tripped anti-theft alarms owned
by client’s firms or customers for quick security measures;

 Perform credit evaluations; and

 Develop marketing plans for a new product (protection detail) or new investment
strategy.

The unique value of ES is that it can allow Cyber Guard Security Co. to capture band use
the wisdom of expert and specialists. (Reynolds & Stair, 2010)

6. OFFICE AUTOMATION SYSTEMS (OAS):

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 Office Automation Systems are computer based information systems that collect, process,
store and transmit electronic messages, documents and other forms of communications
among individuals, work groups and organizations. Office automation is a process of
collecting, combining, managing all the required organizational details through the
combination of software and hardware devices mainly to achieve certain tasks and
business processes.

Office Automation Systems can improve Cyber Guard Security Co. with the following
when implemented:

 Manipulation and storage of data: storage of data means saving all confidential
and important documents and records related to the company. The Office
Automation System also consists of handling data applications that are used for
handling and creating documents, images, spreadsheets, and files.

 Management of data: data management happens to be one of the best and biggest
advantages that come with Office Automation Systems. OAS can offer Cyber
Guard Security Co. with several facilities such as managing data and information
that is sorted.

 Cyber Guard Security Co. can monitor and even handle projects and activities that
are big inside the office by using an Electronic Management System. Also known
as an Electronic Document Management System (EDMS), is a software system for
organizing and storing different types of documents.

 Exchanging data: exchanging data that is stored or even manipulated happens to

be quite an essential component of the Office Automation System. This can help
Cyber Guard Security Co. in sending files, exchanging any information or data,
and use the method of electronic transfer application whenever the need arises.
Throughout the network connection, all information as well as data which
includes presentations, text documents and spreadsheets could be sent within a
couple of seconds only.

ICT 113 ASSIGNMENT 1 047-162

  More accuracy: the OAS can also guarantee Cyber Guard Security Co. more
efficiency than any other machine. Once all bugs removed from the program or
the application, it could help the company get more accuracy in daily dispatches
of employees (guards) in the field and businesses.

 Saves more time and even more resources: the OAS will empower all businesses
to all time and money. It will simplify all Cyber Guard Security Co.’s complex
tasks, help in getting a more dedicated and proper resource, and will also lead to a
much bigger amount with time.

 Reduces all costs: since most business processes are now automated, Cyber Guard
Security Co. does not have to invest that much on hiring any new resources or
even taking care of any of these tasks which can be executed easily by using the
system of Office Automation.

7. EXECUTIVE SUPPORT SYSTEMS (ESS):

An Executive Information System (EIS), also known as an Executive Support System

(ESS), is a type of Management System that facilitates and supports senior executive
information and decision-making needs. It provides easy access to internal and external
information relevant to organizational goals. It is commonly considered a specialised
form of Decision Support System (DSS).

ESS can profit Cyber Guard Security Co. because of the following benefits:

 It is easy for upper level executives to use,

 It has the ability to analyse trends,

 Augmentation of managers’ leadership capabilities,

 Enhance personal thinking and decision-making,

 Contribution to strategic control flexibility,

 Enhance Cyber Guard Security Co.’s competitiveness in the market,

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  Better reporting system,

 Help improve consensus building and communication.

CONCLUSION:

In conclusion, any business can be successful only when there is consistent management
of organizational and financial data with efficient Information Systems.

Thus, the implementation of Business Information Systems (BIS) in Cyber Guard

Security Co., is to support the key aspects of running the security company, such as
communication, record-keeping, decision-making, data analysis and more. Cyber Guard
Security Co. can use this information to improve their business operations, make
strategic decisions and gain a competitive edge.

At the end of the day, Business information Systems (BIS) can give the security
company a competitive advantage and provide the data the company needs to make
faster, smarter business decisions.

ICT 113 ASSIGNMENT 1 047-162

 REFERENCES

www.researchgate.net 2020.04.01, 15:09hrs

www.paginas.fe.up.pt 2020.04.02, 16:40hrs

https://one.comodo.com 2020.04.02, 12:55hrs

www.yourarticlelibrary.com 2020.04.01, 13:17hrs

https://bizfluent.com 2020.04.02, 22:49hrs

www.tutorialspoint.com 2020.04.02, 22:04hrs

www.daily-mail.co.zm 2020.03.22, 09:47hrs

www.academia.co.zm 2020.03.22, 19:28hrs

www.wikipedia.org 2020.04.03, 10:29hrs

www.buscompress.com 2020.04.02, 20:15hrs

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