Information Systems Cheat Sheet

The core ideas of Information Systems distilled into a single, scannable reference — perfect for review or quick lookup.

PiqCue — piqcue.com/information-systems/cheatsheet

Quick Reference

Database Management System (DBMS)

Software that provides a systematic way to create, retrieve, update, and manage data in databases. A DBMS serves as an interface between end-users and the database, ensuring data integrity, security, and efficient access.

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)

An integrated software platform that unifies core business processes such as finance, human resources, manufacturing, supply chain, and customer relationship management into a single system with a shared database.

Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC)

A structured methodology for planning, creating, testing, and deploying information systems. The SDLC provides a series of phases including planning, analysis, design, implementation, and maintenance that guide the development process.

Business Intelligence (BI)

Technologies, practices, and strategies for collecting, integrating, analyzing, and presenting business data to support better decision-making. BI transforms raw data into meaningful insights through reports, dashboards, and data visualizations.

IT Governance

The framework of policies, processes, and organizational structures that ensure an organization's IT investments support its business objectives, manage risks, and comply with regulations.

Data Warehousing

The process of collecting and managing data from varied sources to provide meaningful business insights. A data warehouse is a centralized repository designed for query and analysis rather than transaction processing.

Cloud Computing

The delivery of computing services including servers, storage, databases, networking, software, and analytics over the internet ('the cloud'), offering flexible resources, rapid innovation, and economies of scale.

Information Security

The practice of protecting information and information systems from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. It encompasses confidentiality, integrity, and availability (the CIA triad).

Systems Integration

The process of linking together different computing systems and software applications physically or functionally to act as a coordinated whole. Integration enables data flow and process coordination across disparate systems.

Decision Support System (DSS)

An interactive computer-based system that supports business or organizational decision-making by analyzing large volumes of data. A DSS helps managers make semi-structured and unstructured decisions by providing models, data analysis, and what-if scenarios.

Key Terms at a Glance

Information System:An organized combination of people, hardware, software, data, and procedures that collects, processes, stores, and distributes information.

Database:An organized collection of structured data stored electronically, typically managed by a database management system.

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP):Integrated software that unifies core business processes into a single system with a shared database.

Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC):A structured process for planning, creating, testing, and deploying information systems through defined phases.

Business Intelligence (BI):Technologies and practices for collecting, analyzing, and presenting business data to support decision-making.

Cloud Computing:The delivery of computing services over the internet, including servers, storage, databases, and software.

Data Warehouse:A centralized repository of integrated data from multiple sources, optimized for analytical queries and reporting.

Cybersecurity:The practice of protecting systems, networks, and programs from digital attacks, unauthorized access, and data breaches.

IT Governance:The framework ensuring IT investments support business objectives while managing risk and regulatory compliance.

Normalization:The process of organizing a relational database to reduce redundancy and improve data integrity through normal forms.

API (Application Programming Interface):A set of protocols enabling different software applications to communicate and exchange data.

Middleware:Software that connects disparate applications, enabling communication and data management between systems.

Decision Support System (DSS):An interactive system that assists managers in making semi-structured and unstructured decisions through data analysis and modeling.

Transaction Processing System (TPS):A system that handles routine business transactions such as sales, payments, and inventory updates with high speed and reliability.

Data Mining:The process of discovering patterns and relationships in large data sets using statistical and computational techniques.

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