Well,
having been in the consulting field for 15 years, I will say that in practice, there is little distinction between the two phrases IS and IT.
I will add, however, that Information Systems, refers to systems. A system being a collection of parts that collectively makes up a whole. You cannot have a "payroll" system without all pieces of the solution working. That is, a server, a switch, a workstation, training to use it, etc.
So, to say that IS is only the Databases, or only the connectivity, is not something I can agree with. I will say that I have seen the term 'IS' refer to most things that have anything to do with computers.
But then again, I have seen computer departments called many other things as well. IT, Data Processing, Data Systems.
To me, i really does not matter. the bottom line is taht someone has to own the whole system. And if you choose to just own the connectivity piece, well, you have now left the realm of Information Systems, and have entered the realm of information tele-communications.
That's just my take.
-Wayne
Slashdot Mirror
Well, having been in the consulting field for 15 years, I will say that in practice, there is little distinction between the two phrases IS and IT. I will add, however, that Information Systems, refers to systems. A system being a collection of parts that collectively makes up a whole. You cannot have a "payroll" system without all pieces of the solution working. That is, a server, a switch, a workstation, training to use it, etc. So, to say that IS is only the Databases, or only the connectivity, is not something I can agree with. I will say that I have seen the term 'IS' refer to most things that have anything to do with computers. But then again, I have seen computer departments called many other things as well. IT, Data Processing, Data Systems. To me, i really does not matter. the bottom line is taht someone has to own the whole system. And if you choose to just own the connectivity piece, well, you have now left the realm of Information Systems, and have entered the realm of information tele-communications. That's just my take. -Wayne