BTEC National in ICT: Unit 3 - MIS Tools

1. Information Systems
MIS Tools

2. MIS Tools
• Databases
• Artificial Intelligence & Expert Systems
• Internet
• Other e.g. Data Warehousing, Data Mining,
Predictive Modelling

3. Databases
• An organised body of related information
• In computing, a database is a structured collection of records or
data that is stored in a computer
• Data is organised using software
• Queries are used to get answers to questions
• The records retrieved become information that can be used to
make decisions
• A schema describes the objects that are represented in the
database, and the relationships among them

4. Database - Uses
• Databases are used in many applications,
spanning a wide range of computer software.
• Used by multiuser applications, to store and
coordination data between users
• Individual users find them convenient
• Electronic mail programs and personal organisers
are based on standard database technology

5. Artificial Intelligence & Expert
Systems
Some definitions:
• Artificial Intelligence (or AI) is “the area of computer
science focusing on creating machines that can engage
on behaviors that humans consider intelligent. “
• An Expert System is an "application that uses a
knowledge base of human expertise for problem
solving. Its success is based on the quality of the data
and rules obtained from the human expert”.

6. Artificial Intelligence & Expert
Systems
• Expert systems are types of artificial intelligence.
• AI and Expert Systems have rules
• Rules may be changed to reflect the business
• The computer systems can perform tasks that would
otherwise be performed by a human expert.
• Systems can also help human experts perform tasks.

7. Artificial Intelligence - Examples
• Banks use artificial intelligence systems to organize operations,
invest in stocks, and manage properties.
• Hospitals can use artificial intelligence systems to organise bed
schedules, make a staff rotation, and provide medical
information and diagnosis
• Financial institutions have long used such systems to detect
charges or claims outside of the norm, flagging these for human
investigation

8. Artificial Intelligence - Examples
• E-mail spam filtering (unsolicited bulk emails)
• Robots common in many industries
Used for dangerous or repetitive jobs
General Motors uses around 16,000 robots for
tasks such as painting, welding, and assembly
In August 2001, robots beat humans in a simulated
financial trading competition

9. Artificial Intelligence - Examples
• Toys and Games:
Tamagotchis
Giga Pets
Furbys
Aibo – robotic dog with intelligent features

10. Internet
• Most systems have internet access
• Public or subscriber use
• E-commerce (on line trading)
• Many organisations use websites supported
by a database
• Database used to provide management
information, stock movement, buying trends

11. Other MIS Tools
Data Warehousing
– A data warehouse is a central store for all or
significant parts of the data that a company’s
various business systems collect.
– Historical data
– Well organised
– Stored safely – non volatile

12. Other MIS Tools
Data Mining System
• Finds patterns in sets of data (e.g. from data warehouse)
• E.g. supermarket analysis of sales and customer buying patters
• Has drill down functionality so that the data can be investigated
at lower levels
• Software usually has advanced number crunching and statistical
analysis, report-writing functionality, and can be used with
most database software

13. Other MIS Tools
Predictive modelling
• A technique used to predict future behaviour and
anticipate the consequences of change
• Examples:
How much money a customer will spend on your
products
How likely someone is to respond to an offer
How likely someone is to stop using your services