Here's one definition of a system:
A set of related component parts brought together to form an inter-connected unified whole to perform some function.Hmm - so it's a bunch of stuff that comes together to do a job of some kind. The "stuff" can be people, ideas, computers, buildings or anything else - anything can be a component of the system.
So, here's an example of a computerised booking system for a health centre.
Connectedness:
One of the key ideas about systems is that they're connected. The components need to be linked together to perform the function of the network.
So, in the health centre booking example, the patient needs to be connected to the receptionist (via a telephone perhaps) who needs to be able to connect to a computer (via it's interface to access specific software I imagine).
Without connectedness systems aren't systems.
ICT Systems:
ICT systems basically do 3 things in some form:
- convey data - move it from one place to another
- manipulate data - change it from one form to another
- store data - so that it can be used at some other point
The information will also be manipulated (and then stored) to work out how much to charge the users of the system - and data held on the server will be updated to reflect all of this.
Summary Bit:
There's the ICT system: components working together to convey, manipulate and store data to achieve an aim.
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