Introduction to information systems T. Cornford, M. Shaikh is1 060 2013

inputs
• storage of the inputs in an organised manner as 
data
• 
processing
or manipulating the data 
• passing of signs and signals back into the environment as 
outputs
.
Outputs will in general be created in response to inputs – for example, 
a request for some stored data to be processed and displayed. Another 

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IS1060 Introduction to information systems
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example might be an order for goods as an input, and instructions to the 
warehouse to dispatch them as output (plus perhaps an instruction to the 
factory to make some more). 
Overseeing this process to check that it operates correctly will be some 
form of 
control mechanism
. Such controls are based on feedback 
– either positive or negative. Within the computer component of an 
information system, this control activity is one of the tasks of software, but 
it must be remembered that information systems are more than computers 
and that control activity (processing feedback) will also be undertaken by 
people.
Control issues are discussed in more detail in Chapter 9 of Curtis 
and Cobham (2008).
3.3.1 Information systems
Reading activity
Read Sections 1.1 and 1.2, Chapter 1 of Laudon and Laudon (2013). 
You are also recommended to read Chapter 1 of Avgerou and Cornford (1998).
Information systems are purposive systems. They are established for 
reasons and have objectives or goals, designed or established to achieve 
some stated end. In the case of computer-based information systems, the 
stated end will generally be to satisfy the information requirements of 
particular people or classes of people – for example, bank managers or 
bank customers. At a higher level we could say that information systems 
are established to serve the overall strategy of an organisation – to help it 
do what it wants or chooses to do.