--- title: "IS vs IT; components of IS" subject: "Information System" chapter: 1 key: "semester_8/information_system:is-vs-it-components" source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_8/information_system/is-vs-it-components site: BCT Engineering --- # IS vs IT; components of IS Information System · Chapter 1: Information Systems - Asked in: 2069 Bhadra (old course), 2+2+2 marks - Video: [Differences between Information Technology (IT) and Information System (IS)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMZSYVVIyxo) — Our Kaleidoscope Journey - Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14 - Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_8/information_system/is-vs-it-components - Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_8/information_system/chapter-1 ## Question What is an information system? How is it different from Information Technology? Discuss different components of information system. ## Short answer An information system (IS) is an organized set of people, hardware, software, data, networks and procedures that collects, processes, stores and distributes information to support operations and decisions. It differs from Information Technology (IT), which is only the technical tools; IS uses IT as a component to serve business needs. Its six components are hardware, software, data, network, people, and procedures. ## Answer #### Information system An **Information System (IS)** is a set of people, hardware, software, data, networks and procedures that collect, process, store and distribute information to support operations, decision making and control in an organization. #### IS vs Information Technology **Information Technology (IT)** is the collection of technologies (computers, networks, software, databases) used to handle information. IT is a tool; IS is the complete system that uses the tool for an organizational purpose. | Basis | Information System | Information Technology | |---|---|---| | Meaning | Organised system to produce information for an organization | Technology used to process and communicate data | | Scope | Wider; includes people, process, data and IT | Narrower; hardware, software and networks | | Focus | Business needs and decisions | Technical capability | | Goal | Support management and operations | Provide technical infrastructure | | Example | Library management system, payroll system | Computer, router, DBMS, programming language | | Relation | Uses IT as a component | Enables IS | #### Components of an information system 1. **Hardware** - computers, servers, devices. 2. **Software** - system and application software. 3. **Data / database** - facts stored and organised. 4. **Network** - communication links and protocols. 5. **People** - users, developers, administrators. 6. **Procedures** - rules and instructions for using and controlling the system. ## Check yourself The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why. 1. How is IS different from IT? A. IT is wider and includes people; IS is only hardware B. IS is wider and includes people, process, data and IT; IT is the technology used C. They have identical scope D. IS is only software; IT is only networks Answer: B. IT is a tool and enables IS, which uses IT for an organizational purpose. (Key point: IS vs IT scope) 2. Which pair correctly gives an IS example and an IT example? A. Payroll system; router B. Router; payroll system C. Library management system; library management system D. DBMS; hospital management system Answer: A. IS examples are complete business systems; IT examples are technologies like routers and DBMS. (Key point: Examples) 3. What is the focus of IS compared with IT? A. Technical capability rather than business needs B. Only hardware repair C. Business needs and decisions rather than technical capability D. Only programming languages Answer: C. IS focuses on supporting management and operations. (Key point: Focus) 4. Which component covers users, developers and administrators? A. Procedures B. Network C. Software D. People Answer: D. People are those who run and use the system. 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