The use of information systems of various types is widespread in various fields of activity of society, public administration and the economy. The key factor that predetermined this trend is computerization, which penetrated into most sectors of the national economy. What are information systems? What are the classification criteria for this kind of instrument?
Information System: Definition
Among the definitions of what an “information system” is common in the Russian expert community , one can pay attention to the following wording. It is of interest primarily due to the fact that it is used in some sources of law, which means that its main idea is generally recognized by the community.
In accordance with this formulation, an information system is understood as a combination of documents and computer technology used by a person with the goal of streamlining and increasing the efficiency of solving certain problems. There are other definitions. According to one of them, an information system is an example of computer technology (or a combination of several) equipped with the necessary software, as a result of which an autonomously operating tool for processing or transmitting data is formed.
System classification criteria
Consider how information systems are classified, the types of these elements that researchers highlight. It should be noted that experts do not single out generally accepted criteria here. As a result, several approaches to how information systems should be classified, their types, have appeared in the Russian scientific community at once. Among the common ones is a model in which the level of integration of processes, data types, specifics of the industry of application, the administrative level of use, as well as varieties of tasks are taken into account. We will study what information systems are, their types, based on the noted set of criteria.
Process integration level
A number of researchers prefer to classify systems according to how key processes are integrated into them. Thus, there are three types of phenomena under consideration.
Firstly, these are fully integrated systems. They operate on the same principles of database formation, most of their constituent elements are connected with others. This may be a state information system, engaged, for example, in the counting of votes in elections. Each of its structures - at the level of territorial polling stations, regional and federal districts - combined into a single model.
Secondly, information systems are localized. Their structure is represented by several blocks that perform a specific task. The connection between each of them, as a rule, is expressed in a certain commonality of goals, but not in the aspect of technological chains. It can be corporate information systems at the production, represented by the blocks responsible for carrying out one or another stage of production.
Thirdly, experts single out disintegrated information systems. They, like the phenomena of the previous type, are represented by separate functional blocks, however, the association for some goals or in the aspect of the similarity of tasks, as a rule, is weakly expressed. Combine them can, for example, the name of the brand-manufacturer of software or hardware.
The IT product development company may produce, as an option, the basic information systems designed to be the flagships of sales. And at the same time, under the same brand - additional products. Which, for a number of signs, can be attributed to such a type of product as an information system. Although the types of tasks performed by each of the solutions will be completely different.
Data type
Another criterion by which information systems can be classified, their types is the predominant data type , which is processed in the framework of the corresponding software and hardware algorithms. Thus, modern experts distinguish documentary systems as well as factual ones. The first include those in which information is processed in text format or in the form of pictures. To the second - those in which data streams are built in a logical sequence of certain facts. These may be, for example, databases. Despite the fact that they, as a rule, include both text and sometimes graphic files, only within the framework of certain factual algorithms can the information in them be of value. The purpose of the information system is to correctly display and interpret them for the user.
The border between documents and factual sequences, however, can be very arbitrary. Therefore, this criterion for classifying systems is not recognized by all experts. Some analysts believe that any document is one way or another factology. At least at the level of the structure of those magnetic media or cloud storage where they are located. Regardless of what exactly is depicted in a particular picture or shot in a video, the file will have a specific address, will be characterized by volume, quality indicators. This thesis is often used by analysts as a way to argue their point of view in discussions with experts who believe, for example, that certain types of files - pictures, videos - can not always be described as carriers built in the framework of a fact system.
Industry Specifics
The next criterion for the classification of information systems is their use in a particular sector of the economy, in the field of political management or social activity. In particular, corporate information systems, as a rule, are adapted to the needs of specific business segments, types of industry or services. There can be many specific types of relevant solutions.
Administrative level
What does this classification criterion imply? Here, as a rule, we are talking about a direct analogy with the principles of organizing the vertical of power or political governance. Experts, therefore, highlight such phenomena as the federal information system, regional or, for example, municipal. Everything is about the same as power distribution. The regional information system operates, if we talk about Russia, at the level of the subject of the federation. Municipal - in a specific area or community.
At the same time, a variant is possible in which the information system of a private type organization can also be classified within the framework of the considered criterion. This is typical for large firms, network brands. They may have a certain centralized management structure, where an information system of one level will work, as well as regional representative offices, where a different type of solution functions.
Task type
Another classification criterion is the type of tasks that the system solves. In accordance with it, experts distinguish, for example, computational information systems whose specific tasks are the use of mainly mathematical algorithms in order to calculate certain amounts, summarize statistics, and control certain objects by calculating program instructions. Another type of system is related to such a classification criterion as the type of tasks - managerial. Their functions, as a rule, are focused on work in the field of management in business, logistics, investment activity.
There are many criteria for the classification of information systems, as we have already noted above. Some experts identify, for example, systems adapted to the type of user. So, there are home, office, scientific solutions. There are those that are adapted to specific specialists or persons who are in a certain competency. For example, experts identify strategic information systems that can be best adapted mainly for top managers of companies, functional ones for middle managers, as well as operational ones that are intended for specialists.
The boundary between the classification criteria of information systems is often very arbitrary. In some cases, the practical usefulness of assigning a particular product to a particular group arises not so much from the tasks of making any scientific or theoretical conclusions, but, for example, for marketing purposes. That is, the same software product can be released by an IT firm in two variations for individual market segments. Formally, these will be different information systems. In fact - the same.
It can also be noted that certain information systems classified according to some specific criterion, as a rule, can be characterized as belonging to other categories as well. An option adapted, for example, for solving problems in the oil industry, can be, in essence, fully integrated, processing factual data, and solving managerial problems.
Filling systems
Consider an aspect such as content, or information support of information systems. Why can it be important? The fact is that some experts consider this process to be a legitimate criterion for whether a particular resource belongs to an information system. We noted above that, in accordance with one of the definitions, the system must have autonomy. Which, according to analysts, can be traced in the aspect of information support.
Experts operate on a wide range of terms that characterize this process. For example, such as "content." In the vision of a number of theoreticians, he may possess such attributes as volume, relevance, and relevance. The specific channels through which information support of information systems is provided are determined by their specifics. Or, as an option, belonging to one of the above categories. So, for example, the sources of filling information systems operating in a particular industry may be accounting data, information reflecting technological processes, or, for example, the sales rate of products.
Yandex, Google - information systems?
Is it possible to say that the most popular Internet search engines in the Russian Federation - Yandex, Google, are information ones? In the version of some experts, yes. True, analysts believe that Yandex and Google will be more correctly classified as information retrieval systems. Since, the key tasks that reflect their use are associated, first of all, with finding the necessary data in arrays located on the Internet.
At the same time, there is a point of view that Yandex, Google and their analogues are more legitimately considered to be more search engines, but not information ones. Why? The fact is that these web resources, analysts believe, are an algorithm, rather built on other information systems - the structures of sites, servers. The search engines themselves, experts say, do not participate in the formation of content, do not fill the sites. The information support function is not carried out by them, as a result of which it is not entirely correct to call the corresponding Yandex and Google system operating on autonomous principles.
Information Systems Protection
The security of information systems in most cases is the most important aspect of their practical use. Tasks that are solved using this kind of tools, as a rule, imply some kind of confidentiality, availability of access levels, commercial and industrial secrets. The state information system noted above as an example, which counts the results of elections, is an object, in fact, of national importance. The correctness of the vote count in the election of the President and State Duma deputies, key political institutions of Russia, depends on how well it works and, what is equally important, reliably protected.
Experts identify two main aspects of the protection of information systems: technical and social. Regarding the first, the reliability of algorithms to prevent unauthorized access to resources through software and hardware tools is provided. That is, the system is protected mainly from professional hackers - those individuals who possess various means of virus infection of the computers included in the system, passwords, scanners, readers, etc. Regarding another aspect, the security of information systems is ensured through implementation algorithms that reduce the likelihood of the human factor in controlling access to resources. As a rule, we are talking here about the use of those persons who intend to penetrate the system, some corruption loopholes, conspiracy, bribery of technical specialists with regular tools to access resources.
The development of information systems, therefore, should be carried out taking into account subsequent work in the areas that reflect these security aspects. This may mean, for example, that an IT company supplying appropriate solutions to the market is obligated to incorporate algorithms in the program code of its products that make it possible to protect the system from hacking in accordance with the criteria determined by the owner of the protected resource. Or, as an option, express willingness to jointly develop reliable algorithms to prevent unauthorized access.
Creation of information systems is a process that, as a rule, requires significant mutual integration of the developer and the subsequent consumer of the corresponding solution, especially when it comes to state institutions. It is rare that a given product comes in a boxed format - like an antivirus or, for example, an office suite. The development of information systems often begins with a study of the specifics of the business of the customer company or the tasks to be performed using the created software and hardware complex. And only after that the IT-company begins to lay down the appropriate algorithms - for the specific criteria of the customer.
Ensuring the security of information systems should not go to the detriment of the main tasks that are entrusted to this kind of software and hardware solutions. According to some experts, none of the data protection measures, no matter how reliable, can be justified if the end user of the IT product cannot fully utilize the necessary functions of the solution.