INTRODUCTION
Management information system is a system it is one of the important elements of management information system the word system means plan method or order and arrangement.
The dictionary meaning of a system is
"Regularly interacting or
Interdependent group of items forming a unified whole”
DEFINITION
A system can be defined as set of elements join together for a common objective.
Many example of system can be found in the physical , biological sciences in modern technology and in human society each system composed of sub system , which in turn are made up of other sub system each subsystem is defined through its boundary thus every system is a part of large system a system can be abstract or physical an abstract system is an orderly arrangement of inter dependent ideas or constructs a physical system is a set of element which operate together to accomplish an objective
GENERAL MODELS OF A SYSTEM
A general model of a physical system consist of input process and output
1. INPUT
All recourses which are to be processed or entered into system these elements which are fed into a system for processing is known as input
2. PROCESS
It involve the conversion of input to output
3. OUTPUT
It is a process of sending finished element obtained from processing stage to its ultimate destination
CHARACTERISTICS OF A SYSTEM
System boundary - A system is generally identified by its boundary. The boundary is quite visible in the case of a physical system the actual system lies within the boundary.
In the case of a social system like an organization the boundary is not clearly visible it is the boundary of a system that establishes relationship with its environment
Environment - Every system is operating in an environment area working the boundary of a system is known as an environment
Sub system - Each system is composed of sub systems, which in turn are made up of other sub system. Each subsystem is defined through its boundary
Interfaces - The inter connections and interaction between the sub system called interface the interface always occur at the boundary of a subsystem it is through the boundary of a system , it establishes the relationship with other subsystem and with in the environment
Good and Poor system - There are good and poor system a poor system will not match the requirement of decision makers if the system provides timely information to the decision makers the system is consider to be good and efficient
OTHER CHARACTERISTICS
Certain other characteristics features of man machine system are given below:
1. Performance of basic and subsidiary functions.
2. Speed of performance.
3. Accuracy in the performance.
4. Cost of maintaining the system.
5. Reliability of the system.
6. Maintainability.
7. Safety.
8. Environmental acceptability.
9. Easy operation.
10. Social and legal aspects
TYPES OF SYSTEM
There are several classifications of systems. The important types of systems are described below
1. Deterministic and probabilistic system
2. Closed and open system
3. Conceptual and empirical system
4. Natural and manufactured system
5. Social, man - machine and machine system
6. Adaptive and non adaptive system
1. Deterministic and probabilistic system -
The behavior of a deterministic system is completely known. It operates in a predictable manner. there is no uncertainty in predicting the output of a system provided you know the input this means that the interaction between various subsystem can be predicted with certainty such system will produce correct output if the input .
In the probabilistic system the behavior of the system cannot be predicted with certainty it is only possible to draw certain estimate as a result a certain degree of error is always attached to the prediction of the behavior of the system
2. Closed and open system -
A closed system is one that does not interact with the environment a change in the environment does not effect the system closed system are self contained and self maintaining as the do not interact with the environment
a system is said to be open when it has an interface with and interact with other systems thus an open system is a system that continuously interact with the environment open system are effected by environmental factor and they have to be adjusted according environment .
3. Conceptual and empirical system -
Conceptual system are connected with theoretical structures which may or may not have any relevance in the real world or situation
Empirical systems are operational system made up of people material machine energy and other physical things an empirical system due its base on conceptual system and thus it is concerned with the application of theoretical concepts in a practical system management information system in both conceptual and empirical
4. Natural and manufactured system -
System already exists in the nature is termed as natural system. The entire ecology of life and solar system are example of natural system
The system manufactured by human beings is called manufactured system.
A business organization with production, accounting and marketing sub division is a manufactured system.
5. Social, man - machine and machine system -
Social systems are system made up of people a business organization, educational system, political parties are examples of social system
Most practical system belongs to the category of man machine system it is difficult to imagine a system in the practical world which is purely compassed of human beings who do not use any equipments to attain their goals
Pure machine systems operate without human interventions they obtain their own input to operate and maintain them selves. How ever a system run purely by a machine without any human intervention is still remain a dream.
6. Adaptive and non adaptive system -
A system that reacts to the environment in order to improve its function is called adaptive system a system that does not react to the environment is termed as non adaptive system.
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