Subject

Assignment No.
Discipline
Term
Submitted By
Examination Roll No.

Management Information Sciences

02
M.B.A. (Executive)
IV
Samiullah Khan
056

ASSIGNMENT QUESTIONS
Q.1: Define different types of systems in MIS?
Q.2: What is traditional file approach. Breifly explain its Pros & Cons?
Q.3: Briefly explain the e-commerce. Breifly explain its Pros & Cons?
Q.4: Discuss an Organizational Need for MIS in a Company?
Q.5: What do you understand by System Analysis and Design? Discuss the
various steps in System Analysis and Design Process?

Q.1: Define different types of systems in MIS?

Types of the System in the Management Information Systems
1. Conceptual Systems
a. Are theoretical and explanatory in the nature.
b. Provide the much needed clarification.
c. Provide theoretical framework for which there may or may not be any real
life counterpart.
d. E.g. of such systems can be philosophy, theology etc.
2. Empirical Systems

a. Are very practical, specific and also very operational in the nature.
b. Can be based on the conceptual system.
c. Examination system, surgery act as very good examples of the empirical
systems.
3. Open Systems
a. Involve continuous interaction with the environment.
b. So exchanges the information, material, energy with the environment.
c. Is open and also self organizing in the nature.
d. Is also adoptive or adaptive to the changing environment as it is flexible.
4. Closed Systems
a. Shuns any kind of the exchange with the environment.
b. Is rigid in nature.
c. Is not at all amenable to the change.
d. Is also self contained.
e. Is somewhat isolated in the nature.
f. Is having a well defined boundary.
g. Is not at all adaptive in the nature.
5. Natural Systems
a. Such Systems exist and also abound in the nature.
b. Are also not at all the results of the human endeavors.
c. Rivers, mountains, minerals etc. are the major examples of the natural
Systems.
6. Artificial Systems
a. Are manufactured (man-made).
b. Examples of such Systems are dams, canals, roads, machines, factories
etc.
7. Probabilistic Systems
a. Based on the predictability of the behavior or the outcome.
8. Deterministic Systems
a. In such Systems, the interaction of the elements is known.
b. As the behavior of the elements is pre-determined, it becomes possible to
work upon the reaction well in the advance.
Q.2: What is traditional file approach. Breifly explain its Pros & Cons?
Traditional File Approach

The traditional file-oriented approach to information processing has for each

application a separate master file and its own set of personal files. COBOL
language supported these file-oriented applications. It was used for
developing applications such as of payroll, inventory, and financial
accounting. However, in general an organization needs flow of information
across these applications also and this requires sharing of data, which is very
difficult to implement in the traditional file approach. In addition, a major
limitation of file-based approach is that the programs are dependent on the
files and the files are dependent upon the programs.
These file-based approaches, which came into being as the first commercial
applications of computers, suffered from the following significant
disadvantages:
Data Redundancy: In a file system if an information is needed by two
distinct applications, then it may be stored in two or more files. For example,
the particulars of an employee may be stored in payroll and leave record
applications separately. Some of this information may be changing, such as
the address, the pay drawn, etc. It is therefore quite possible that while the
address in the master file for one application has been updated the address
in the master file for second application may have not been. Sometimes, it
may not be easy to find that in how many files the repeating items such as
the address has occurred. The solution, therefore, is to avoid this data
redundancy by storing the address at just one place physically, and making it
accessible to all applications.
Program/Data Dependency: In the traditional file oriented approach if a
data field (attribute) is to be added to a master file, all such programs that
access the master file would have to be changed to allow for this new field
that would have been added to the master record. This is referred to as data
dependence.
Lack of Flexibility: Since the data and programs are strong coupled in a
traditional system, most information retrieval requests would be limited to
well anticipated and pre-determined. The system would normally be capable
of producing scheduled records and queries that it has been programmed to
create. In the fast moving and competent business environment of today,
apart from such regularly scheduled records, there is a need for responding
to un-anticipatory queries and some kind of investigative analysis that could
not have been envisaged professionally.
Advantages and Disadvantages

Data Security
Traditional file organization has security advantages over electronic filing,
but it also has its disadvantages. Electronic files are usually accessible on a
network, which means it's possible for an unauthorized person to gain access
to electronic data over the Internet through hacking methods. Electronic data
can also be damaged by software security problems like computer viruses.
On the other hand, paper files can be lost in fires and floods, but electronic
data is easy to backup in multiple locations, reducing the potential for
permanent data loss.
Complexity
Traditional filing systems are less complex than electronic systems, which
can make it easier for untrained people to access and manipulate data.
Anyone can look through alphabetized filing cabinets to find a file. Locating
and manipulating an electronic database information may require technical
training, and user error can result in unintended alterations or data loss.
Access Time
One of the primary disadvantages of traditional file systems is the time it
takes to access data. It can take minutes if not hours to locate a few files in a
large paper filing system. Electronic databases allow for almost
instantaneous access to information. Faster data access time can increase
the productivity of managers, analysts, accountants and other workers who
use data on a regular basis.
Editing and Communication
Traditional file systems are cumbersome in that they do not allow users to
easily edit files or send information to others. Paper files often cannot be
edited directly, forcing users to make new copies to update old files. To
distribute data on paper files, users must mail, fax or scan the data.
Databases allow users to edit information fields directly, and because
information is stored digitally, it is already in a form that can be easily
transmitted.
Order of Data
Data can get out of order in traditional filing systems. If someone
accidentally puts a file in the wrong place, or takes a file out of a cabinet and
forgets to put it back, it can lead to lost data or the creation of additional

copies of files. Electronic filing systems allow users to quickly check whether
information already exists somewhere in the system, which helps avoid
problems like redundant files and data loss.
Q.3: Briefly explain the e-commerce. Breifly explain its Pros & Cons
Have you ever purchased a pair of shoes over the Internet? Or maybe you've
used your computer to sell an old phone? If so, you've taken part in
electronic commerce. Also known as e-commerce, electronic commerce is
the process by which businesses and consumers buy and sell goods and
services through an electronic medium.
Electronic commerce emerged in the early 1990s, and its use has increased
at a rapid rate. Today, the majority of companies have an online presence; in
fact, having the ability to conduct business through the Internet has pretty
much become a necessity. Everything from food and clothes to
entertainment and furniture can be purchased online.
Two familiar examples of electronic commerce companies are eBay and
Amazon. Both of these companies allow consumers to purchase a variety of
goods and services online from businesses and other consumers, while eBay
also hosts online auctions. Consumers on these sites typically have
numerous payment options, as well as choices for how their products are
delivered.
Types of Electronic Commerce
There are several types of electronic commerce. The most common
is business to consumer, in which a business sells products or services
directly to consumers over the Internet. An example of a business to
consumer e-commerce transaction would be an individual purchasing a pair
of sneakers through Nike's website.
Another type of electronic commerce is business to business, where
companies sell products or services to other companies over the Internet. An
example would be the company GoDaddy, which sells domain names,
websites and hosting services to other businesses.
Consumer to business electronic commerce involves consumers selling
products or services to businesses. You've taken part in this form of ecommerce if you've ever completed a paid online survey where you've given
your opinion about a product.

Finally, there is consumer to consumer e-commerce, which is where

consumers sell products to other consumers. An example would be one
consumer selling something that he or she no longer needs or wants to
another consumer via a site like eBay or Amazon.
E-Commerce Advantages for Customers
Convenience. Every product is at the tip of your fingers on the internet,
literally. Type in the product you are looking for into your favorite search
engine and every option will appear in a well organized list in a matter of
seconds.
Time saving. With e-commerce there is no driving in circles while looking
and digging in hopes of finding what you need. Stores online offer their full
line as well as use warehouses instead of store frontsproducts are easy to
locate and can be delivered to your door in just days.
Options, options, options! Without driving from store to store the
consumer can easily compare and contrast products. See who offers the best
pricing and have more options to choose from. While a physical store has
limited space, the same store on the internet will have full stock.
Easy to compare. Side by side comparisons are readily available and easy
to do. When products are placed online, they come with all the specifics, and
they want you to compare them with others, know they have the best
options and come back for more!
Easy to find reviews. Because the competition is high, companies online
want you to look at other consumer reviews. Good and bad reviews are on
every site, not only can you see if the product is liked, you can also see the
reasons behind the thumbs up or down.
Coupons and deals. With every online business wanting you, more and
more coupons and deals cant be avoided, which are totally great for
customers. With major sites that act as department store, you may find
items up to 80% off! Take advantage of the competition and find the best
price available.
E-Commerce Advantages for Businesses
Increasing customer base. The customer base is every businesss main
concern, online or off. When online, a business doesnt have to worry about

getting the best property in town, people from around the world have access
to their products and can come back at anytime.
Rise in sales. By not managing a storefront, any business will have more
sales online with a higher profit margin. They can redistribute money to
make the consumer shopping experience faster and more efficient. While
being available to international markets, more products will sell.
24/7, 365 days. If its snowing and the roads are closed, or its too hot and
humid to even step outside in the summer, or a holiday that every store in
town closes, your online business is open for consumers 24/7 every day of
the year. The doors never close and profits will keep rising.
Expand business reach. A great tool on the internet istranslation! A
business online does not have to make a site for every language. With the
right marketing, every consumer around the globe can find the business site,
products and information without leaving home.
Recurring payments made easy. With a little research, every business
can set up recurring payments. Find the provider that best suits your needs
and billing will be done in a consistent manner; payments will be received in
the same way.
Instant transactions. With e-commerce there is no more waiting for the
check to clear, or a 30-day wait for certain other types of payment.
Transactions are cleared immediately or at most two to three days for the
money to clear through the banking system.
E-Commerce Disadvantages for Customers
Privacy and security. Before making instant transactions online, be sure to
check the sites certificates of security. While it may be easy and convenient
to shop, no one wants their personal information to be stolen. While many
sites are reputable, always do your research for those with less than
sufficient security.
Quality. While e-commerce makes everything easily accessible, a consumer
cannot actually touch products until they are delivered to the door. It is
important to view the return policy before buying. Always make sure
returning goods is an option.
Hidden costs. When making purchases, the consumer is aware of the
product cost, shipping, handling and possible taxes. Be advised: there may

be hidden fees that wont show up on your purchasing bill but will show up
on your form of payment. Extra handling fees may occur, especially with
international purchases.
Delay in receiving goods. Although delivery of products is often quicker
than expected, be prepared for delays. A snow storm in one place may throw
off the shipping system across the board. There is also a chance that your
product may be lost or delivered to the wrong address.
Need access to internet. Internet access is not free, and if you are using
free wifi, there is the chance of information theft over an unsecure site. If you
are wearing of your public library, or cannot afford the internet or computer
at home, it may be best to shop locally.
Lack of personal interaction. While the rules and regulations of each ecommerce business is laid out for you to read, there is a lot to read and it
may be confusing when it comes to the legalities. With large or important
orders, there is no one you can talk to face to face when you have questions
and concerns.
E-Commerce Disadvantages for Businesses
Security issues. While businesses make great efforts to keep themselves
and the consumer safe, there are people out there that will break every
firewall possible to get the information they want. We have all seen recently
how the biggest and most renown business can be hacked online.
Credit card issues. Many credit card businesses will take the side of the
consumer when there is dispute about billingthey want to keep their
clients, too. This can lead to a loss for e-commerce business when goods
have already been delivered and the payment is refunded back to the
consumer.
Extra expense and expertise for e-commerce infrastructure. To be
sure an online business is running correctly, money will have to be invested.
As an owner, you need to know transactions are being handled properly and
products are represented in the most truthful way. To make sure you get
what you need, you will have to hire a professional to tie up any loose ends.
Needs for expanded reverse logistics. The infrastructure of an online
business must be on point. This will be another cost to the business because
money will need to be invested to ensure proper handling of all aspects of

buying and selling, especially with disgruntled consumers that want more
than a refund.
Sufficient internet service. Although it seems that everyone is now on the
internet all the time, there are still areas in which network bandwidth can
cause issues. Before setting up an e-commerce business, be sure your area
can handle the telecommunication bandwidth you will need to run effectively.
Constant upkeep. When a business has started as e-commerce, they must
be ready to make changes to stay compatible. While technology grows, the
systems that support your business must be kept up to date or replaced if
needed. There may be additional overhead in order to keep data bases and
applications running.

Q.4: Discuss an Organizational Need for MIS in a Company?

Ans.: To facilitate the management decision making at all levels of company,
the MIS must be integrated. MIS units are company wide. MIS is available for the
Top management. The top management of company should play an active role
in designing, modifying and maintenance of the total organization wide
management information system.
Information system and Information technology have become a vital component
of any successful business and are regarded as major functional areas just like
any other functional area of a business organization like marketing, finance,
production and HR. Thus it is important to understand the area of information
system just like any other functional area in the business. MIS is important
because all businesses have a need for information about the tasks which are to
be performed. Information and technology is used as a tool for solving problems
and providing opportunities for increasing productivity and quality.
Information has always been important but it has never been so available, so
current and so overwhelming. Efforts have been made for collection and
retrieval of information, However, challenges still remain in the selection
analysis and interpretation of the information that will further improve decision
making and productivity.
MIS for a Business Organization :

Support the Business Process : Treats inputs as a request from the customer
and outputs as services to customer. Supports current operations and use the
system to influence further way of working.
Support Operation of a Business Organization : MIS supports operations of
a business organization by giving timely information, maintenance and
enhancement which provides flexibility in the operation of an organizations.
To Support Decision Making : MIS supports the decision making by employee
in their daily operations. MIS also supports managers in decision making to meet
the goals and objectives of the organization. Different mathematical models and
IT tools are used for the purpose evolving strategies to meet competitive needs.
Strategies for an Organization : Today each business is running in a competitive market. MIS
supports the organization to evolve appropriate strategies for the business to assented in a
competitive environment.

Q.5: What do you understand by System Analysis and Design? Discuss the
various steps in System Analysis and Design Process?
Ans.: SAD refers to the process of examining a business situation with the
intent of improving it through better procedures & methods. System
Development generally is thought of as having two major components :
a) System Analysis
b) System Design
System Design is the process of planning. We must thoroughly understand the
existing system and data mine how computer desk can be used to make its
operation more effective. System design specifies how to achieve objectives
System Analysis is the process of gathering and interpreting facts diagnosing
problems and using information to recommend improvement to system. It
specifies what the system should do. The system analysis is management
between techniques which helps us in designing a new system or improving an
existing system
System Development Life Cycle : System Development life cycle (SDLC) is
used to plan and manage the system development process. Although it is
primarily identified with structured analysis, the SDLC describes activities and
functions that systems developers typically perform, regardless of how those
activities and functions fit into a particular methodology. The SDLC model
includes the following steps :
i) Systems Planning
ii) Systems Analysis

iii) Systems Design

iv) Systems Implementation
v) Systems Operation and Support
The SDLC is pictured as a waterfall model where the result of each phase, often
called an end product or deliverable, flows down into the next phase. In reality,
the systems development process is dynamic, and constant change is common.
Systems Planning : A systems planning usually begins with a formal request
to the IT department, called a systems request that describes problems or
desired changes in an information system or a business process. A systems
request can come from a top manager, a planning team, a department head, or
the IT department itself. The request can be very significant or relatively minor.
A major request might involve a new information system or the replacement of
an existing system that cannot handle current requirements. In contrast, a minor
request might ask for a new feature or a change to the user interface in current
system. The purpose of the planning phase is to identify clearly the nature and
scope of the business opportunity or problem by performing a preliminary
investigation, often called a feasibility study. The preliminary investigation is a
critical step because the outcome will affect the entire development process.
The end product, or deliverable, is a report that describes business
considerations, reviews anticipated benefits and costs, and recommends a
course of action based on economic, technical, and operational factors.
Systems Analysis : The purpose of the systems analysis phase is to
understand business requirement and build a logical model of the new system.
The first step is requirement modeling, where you define and describe business
process. Requirement modeling continue the investigation that began during
systems planning and involves various fact-finding techniques, such as
interview, surveys, observation, and sampling. During the next tasks, data
modeling, process modeling, and object modeling, you develop a logical model
of business process the system must support. The model consists of various
types of diagrams, depending on the methodology being used.
The end product for the systems analysis phase is the System Requirements
Document. The systems requirements document describes management and
user requirements, alternative plans and costs, and analysis your
recommendation. Looking ahead to design and implementation, several
possibilities exist: develop a new system in-house, purchase a commercial
package, or modify an existing system.
Systems Design : The purpose of systems design is or create a blueprint for
the new system that will satisfy all documented requirements, whether the
system is being developed in-house or purchased as a package. During systems
design, you identify all necessary outputs, inputs, interfaces, and processes. In
addition, you design internal and external controls, including maintainable, and
secure. The design is documented in the System Design Specification and

presented to management and users for their review and approval. Management
and user involvement is critical to avoid any misunderstandings about what the
new system will do, how it will do it, and what it will cost.
Systems Implementation : During systems implementation, the new system
is constructed. Programs are written, tested, and documented, and the system is
installed. If the system was purchased as a package, systems analysts perform
any necessary modifications and configurations. The objective of the
implementation phase is to deliver a completely functioning and documented
information system. At the conclusion of this phase, the system is ready for use.
Final preparations include converting data to the new systems files, training of
users, and performing the actual transition to the new system. The systems
implementation phase also includes and assessment, called a systems
evaluation, to determine whether the system operates properly and its costs
and benefits are within expectations.
Systems Operation and Support (Maintenance) : During systems operation and
support, the IT staff maintains and enhances the system. Maintenance change correct errors and adapt
to changes in the environment, such as new tax rates. Enhancements provide new features and
benefits. The objective during this phase is to maximize return on the IT investment. A well-designed
system will be reliable, maintainable, and scalable. A scalable design can expand to meet new
business requirements and volumes. Information systems development is always a work in progress.
Business process change rapidly, and most information systems need to be replaced or significantly
updated after several years of operation.

THE END