Using the basic model of an information system as presented in Figure 6.18, suggest the components that might be part of an app for a mobile device that displays information about flights arriving and departing from a particular airport.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

This is a hybrid system with some elements of the system hosted on a remote
server and some elements in the app itself.
You need to consider the levels in the information system and should identify
components that might be included at each level. Examples of these components
might be:
Level 1 (Database level)
Flight database; Flight status database; Airport information;
Level 2: (Information retrieval level)
Status management; Flight management; Search;
Level 3: (User interaction level)
Authentication; session management; forms processing ()
Level 4 (User interface)
App UI
You then need to decide which of the information system elements should be
hosted on the mobile device and which should be remotely hosted.
1. Database level
It obviously does not make sense to try to host major database components on the
app so on the app, these are replaced by a database query component that provides
access to these databases.
2. The information retrieval level

There needs to be a search component in the app but this should really be a front-
end to a more extensive database search that runs on the server. Information on

flights of interest to the user and their status has to be collected and managed
locally in the app.
3. User interaction level
This also has to be handled mostly in the app although it is based on stored
information e.g. authentication relies on storing the user’s credentials and
authenticating automatically when the app is invoked.
4. User interface level
Exclusively implemented in the app