General Certificate of Education

Information Technology Advanced

Module IT04
Information Systems within Organisations
Module Test

Thursday 27 May 1999 9.30am – 11.30am

Time

„ 2 hours

Instructions to candidates

„ Write the Paper reference IT04 on the front of your answer book.
„ Write your 13-character candidate identifier on the front of your
answer book above the name of the examining body.
„ Answer all the questions in this paper.

Information for candidates

„ This paper carries 15 per cent of the total marks for A-level.
„ The number of marks is given in brackets at the end of each
question or part-question.
„ You are reminded of the need for good English and clear
presentation in your answers. Question 9 should be answered in
continuous prose. Quality of language will be assessed in this
answer.
Answer all questions

1 The manager of a local company complains that the company’s information system
continually fails to provide the correct level of information. State four possible
reasons why the system is failing. (4)

2 (a) What is meant by an ‘expert system’. (2)

(b) Describe one example of the use of an expert system. (2)

(4)

3 Information systems are capable of producing strategic and operational level

information. With the aid of examples, explain the difference between these two
levels of information, clearly stating the level of personnel involved in using each
one. (5)

4 List five distinctly different potential threats to an information system. Give one way
of countering each potential threat. (3)

5 A particular organisation is upgrading its computer-based stock control system. The

previous data collection system was OMR based.

One function of the system is to allow stock levels to be monitored on a regular basis.

(a) State three other alternative methods of collecting stock control information. (3)

(b) What factors, other than cost, will determine the method of data collection? (4)

(c) The software used to control the system must support an audit trail. Explain
what is meant by the term ‘audit trail’, and state why this functionality is
necessary. (6)

(13)

6 A school is considering the introduction of an IT based display system to replace the

existing daily newsletter read out at registration. The new system will have several
display screens at various locations throughout the building. The system will be
operated via a PC which is connected to the school network.

The existing newsletter is currently typed by a member of staff in the school office
who will be responsible for the new system. The introduction of this system will
cause considerable change for the member of staff involved.
 (a) Describe two alternative ways of collecting the data on which the messages
will be based. (6)

(b) The member of staff will require training in the use of the package in order to
create an effective display. List three ways in which the training could be
provided. (3)

(c) The system may also be used to display urgent messages. Give an example of
one such use, and describe one safeguard which should be put in place to
prevent misuse of this feature. (3)

(12)

7 A software house has a user support department that provides a range of services to
customers including telephone advice and the supply of data fixes for corrupt files.
The department uses a computer based logging system to store details of incoming
telephone calls from users (a call management system). The system is capable of
producing a variety of reports via a report generator.

(a) The software house receives complaints from its users that this department is
providing a poor service. Describe three reports that the software house could
produce to examine the validity of this claim. (6)

(b) The department currently uses traditional mail to receive disks containing
corrupt files and to return them with the data fixed. However, the department
now wishes to use electronic communications based on ISDN. Describe two
potential advantages and one potential disadvantage to the customer of this
proposed change. (6)

(12)

8 A company has three departments to handle finance, buildings and equipment

maintenance. Each department currently operates a separate IT system. The company
wishes to improve the efficiency of the operations by implementing a common
corporate system across all three departments. In order to achieve this improvement,
the company has decided to select members of staff from each department to form a
project team to plan, design and implement the new system.

(a) Describe three corporate level factors the tea should consider when planning
the new system. (6)

(b) At their first meeting the team decide to sub-divide the project into a series of
tasks. Describe two advantages of this approach. (4)

(10)
9 “Legislation will have an impact on the procedures used within any organisation.”

Discuss this statement. Particular attention should be given to:

• The different aspects of IT related legislation which affect organisations;

• The types of formal procedures which are used to enforce legislation;
• The potential differences between legislation and company policy.

Illustrate your answer with specific examples. (20)

Quality of language will be assessed in the answer.

END OF QUESTIONS