FACULTY/COLLEGE College of Business and Economics

SCHOOL School of Consumer Intelligence and Information Systems

DEPARTMENT Applied Information Systems

CAMPUS(ES) APB & APK

MODULE NAME Information Systems 1B

MODULE CODE ILS1B01

SEMESTER 2

ASSESSMENT Class Test 2

DATE 08 October 2024

TIME 08:00 – 10:00

ASSESSOR(S) Dr. Cosmas Ngwenya

DURATION 2 hours TOTAL MARKS 100

NUMBER OF PAGES OF QUESTION PAPER (Including cover page) 7

INFORMATION/INSTRUCTIONS:

This is a closed-book assessment.

• There are 3 sections
• Read the questions carefully and answer only what is required.
• Number your answers clearly and correctly as per the question paper.
• Write neatly and legibly on both sides of the paper in the answer book, starting on
the first page.

Page 1
Section A [20]

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is one key difference between traditional and web-based systems
development?
a. Web-based systems development is less flexible.
b. Web-based systems development is more scalable.
c. Traditional development uses fewer resources.
d. Traditional development takes less time.
2. Which of the following technologies can most significantly impact systems
development in today’s world?
a. Virtual Reality
b. Cloud computing
c. Smart cards
d. Legacy systems
3. Which in-house software development option allows the organization to create and
maintain the system themselves?
a. Build the system from scratch
b. Purchase a commercial off-the-shelf solution
c. Contract developers
d. Outsource the entire project
4. Offshoring is different from outsourcing because:
a. Offshoring uses internal employees only.
b. Offshoring involves contracting tasks to a company in another country.
c. Outsourcing always involves long-term contracts.
d. Offshoring is a low-risk option.
5. Which of the following best describes Software as a Service (SaaS)?
a. A software product you purchase and install locally
b. Software that is hosted remotely and accessed online
c. A programming language framework
d. A tool for software development

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 6. Which is NOT a task during the systems analysis phase of the SDLC?
a. Gathering requirements
b. Evaluating alternatives
c. Writing code
d. Identifying system requirements
7. Human-computer interaction focuses on:
a. Optimizing hardware performance.
b. Making interfaces user-friendly and efficient.
c. Creating complicated workflows.
d. Eliminating all human input.
8. Data normalization helps to:
a. Reduce data redundancy.
b. Increase system complexity.
c. Expand the database size.
d. Generate complex reports.
9. Which is the correct description of a star topology in networking?
a. Each node is connected to a central hub.
b. All nodes are connected to a single central device.
c. All nodes are connected to each other in a loop.
d. All nodes have the same level of hierarchy.
10. What is an example of system maintenance?
a. Developing a new system from scratch
b. Applying security patches
c. Developing new features
d. Upgrading to a new system architecture
11. Which of the following is NOT an advantage of cloud computing for system
development?
a. Scalability
b. Accessibility
c. Higher hardware costs
d. Reduced maintenance burden
12. What is a primary advantage of offshoring software development?

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 a. Increased control over the project
b. Reduced operational costs
c. Easier communication with the development team
d. Better security for sensitive data
13. Which of the following is the main goal of user interface design?
a. Ensure security
b. Improve system performance
c. Provide an intuitive and efficient user experience
d. Reduce system complexit
14. What is the purpose of a request for quotation (RFQ)?
a. To ask vendors to bid on providing software solutions
b. To request price quotations from vendors
c. To outline the technical requirements of the software
d. To compare different software proposals
15. Which development strategy focuses on incremental improvements and frequent
customer feedback?
a. Waterfall
b. Agile
c. Spiral
d. V-Model
16. What is the primary role of a systems analyst in the software development process?
a. To test the software
b. To select the best development strategy
c. To monitor the performance of the system after deployment
d. To provide user support
17. Which of the following describes the concept of Software as a Service (SaaS)?
a. A model where software is purchased and installed on individual machines
b. A subscription-based model where software is hosted remotely and accessed
via the internet
c. A software development process that emphasizes security
d. A way to buy licenses for custom software solutions
18. What is the purpose of data normalization in database design?

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 a. Increase data redundancy
b. Decrease data integrity
c. Reduce redundancy and improve data consistency
d. Create physical storage systems for data
19. Which type of report is generally used for summarizing data for upper management?
a. Exception report
b. Detail report
c. Summary report
d. Turnaround report
20. Which factor is most important when selecting a system architecture?
a. Cost of development
b. The ability of the system to scale
c. Number of developers available
d. Preference for in-house development

True or False Questions [15 Marks]

1. Cloud computing reduces the need for physical hardware infrastructure.
a. True
b. False
2. Web-based systems development usually takes longer than traditional systems
development.
a. True
b. False
3. Agile development focuses on iterative development cycles.
a. True
b. False
4. A Request for Proposal (RFP) is used to invite vendors to submit a bid for a project.
a. True
b. False
5. The seven habits of successful interface designers include optimizing hardware
performance.
a. True

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 b. False
6. Object-oriented development does not involve creating reusable components.
a. True
b. False
7. Physical security is one of the six levels of system security.
a. True
b. False
8. Printed output reports must be user-friendly and designed with clear layouts.
a. True
b. False
9. Systems analysts play no role in selecting a development strategy.
a. True
b. False
10. Disaster recovery only focuses on backing up user data.
a. True
b. False
11. The SDLC (Systems Development Life Cycle) is a process that helps in the
development and maintenance of information systems.
a. True
b. False
12. Cloud computing offers no advantage in terms of scalability for modern web-based
systems.
a. True
b. False
13. A request for proposal (RFP) is primarily used to request detailed information on
pricing from vendors.
a. True
b. False
14. An effective user interface should prioritize user-centric design, ensuring it meets the
needs and expectations of the end-users.
a. True
b. False

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 15. In batch processing, data is processed immediately as it is entered into the system.
a. True
b. False

Section B: Matching the Columns [15]

Match the phrases in Column A with the corresponding letter in Column B that best
describes them.

Column A Column B

1. Cloud computing a. Involves contracting tasks to a company

located in another country

2. Normalization b. A visual representation of the entities

and relationships in a database

3. SaaS (Software as a Service) c. The distribution of tasks between a client

and a server

4. Human-computer interaction (HCI) d. Software that is accessed online rather

than installed locally

5. Agile development e. Designing systems that optimize ease of

use for people

6. Offshoring f. The central device connects all nodes

7. Entity-relationship diagram (ERD) g. An invitation to vendors to submit a

proposal for a project

8. Client-server architecture h. A technique used to organize a database

to minimize redundancy

9. Request for Proposal (RFP) i. A method of developing software through

iterative cycles

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 10. Star topology j. Delivering computing services via the
internet

11. Web 2.0 k. The phase in the SDLC where the system
is put into operation and users are trained.

12. System Implementation l. Identifying, analyzing, and responding to

project risks to minimize their impact.

13. Risk Management m. The concept of interactive and user-

generated content on the web.

14. Modular Design n. A design approach aimed at creating

web applications that adjust layout and
functionality based on screen size.

15. Responsive Web Design o. A design approach that divides a system

into smaller parts or modules for easier
management and maintenance.

Answers:
1. Cloud computing - j
2. Normalization - h
3. SaaS (Software as a Service) - d
4. Human-computer interaction (HCI) - e
5. Agile development - i
6. Offshoring - a
7. Entity-relationship diagram (ERD) - b
8. Client-server architecture - c
9. Request for Proposal (RFP) - g
10. Star topology – f

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 11. Web 2.0 -m
12. System Implementation – k
13. Risk Management -l
14. Modular Design -o
15. Responsive Web Design -n

Section C: Long Questions [50]

1. Explain the five steps in the software acquisition process and describe how each step
contributes to selecting the best solution for an organisation. [10]

The software acquisition process typically involves five steps:

Step 1: evaluate the information system requirements (2 marks)

• Identify key features

• Consider network and Web-related issues
• Estimate volume and future growth
• Specify hardware, software, or personnel constraints
• Prepare a request for proposal or quotation
• Describes the company, lists IT services or products needed, and specifies features
required

Step 2: identify potential vendors or outsourcing options (2 marks)

• Internet
• Consulting firm
• Online forums

Step 3: evaluate the alternatives (2 marks)

• Existing users
• Application testing
• Benchmarking

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 • Measures the time a package takes to process a certain number of transactions

Step 4: perform cost-benefit analysis (2 marks)

• Identify and calculate total cost of ownership (TCO) for each option being considered
• Study conditions of use that come along with the software license
• If a software package is purchased, consider a supplemental maintenance agreement

Step 5: Prepare a recommendation (2 marks)

• Evaluate and describe alternatives along with:

• Costs
• Benefits
• Advantages
• Disadvantages
• Submit a formal system requirements document and deliver a presentation.

2. Discuss the key factors to consider when designing a user interface. Include at least five
important guidelines or principles that should guide the design process. [10]

Designing an effective user interface (UI) involves several key factors:

a. Consistency (2 marks)

• Consistent design elements, such as layouts, colors, and fonts, make the interface
predictable and easier to use. Users should encounter familiar elements across
different sections of the system.

b. Simplicity (2 marks)

• The design should prioritize simplicity by eliminating unnecessary complexity. Every

element on the interface should serve a clear purpose, and the most important tasks
should be easy to access.

c. Feedback (2 marks)

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 • The system should provide feedback to users after every action, whether it’s a
confirmation message after saving data or visual cues to indicate that a task is in
progress.

d. User-Centric Design (2 marks)

• The design should prioritize the needs and preferences of the end users. This includes
understanding their skill levels, how they will use the interface, and the tasks they
need to complete.

e. Accessibility (2 marks)

• The interface should be designed to be accessible to all users, including those with
disabilities. This might involve considerations like colour contrast for visually impaired
users or keyboard navigation for users with mobility challenges.

3. Provide a detailed comparison of traditional systems development and web-based

systems development, focusing on factors like scalability, cost, and maintenance. [10]

a. Scalability (3 marks)

• Traditional Systems Development: Scaling traditional systems can be challenging and

expensive because it typically involves upgrading physical infrastructure (e.g., servers,
storage, network equipment).
• Web-based Systems Development: Web-based systems are more scalable because
they are typically hosted in the cloud or on web servers, which allows for easy and
cost-effective scaling by adding more resources or instances on demand.
• Comparison: Web-based systems have a clear advantage in scalability, as they allow
organizations to adjust capacity quickly without significant investments in hardware.

b. Cost (3 marks)

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 • Traditional Systems Development: Upfront costs for traditional systems can be high
due to the need for purchasing hardware, software licenses, and ongoing
maintenance costs.
• Web-based Systems Development: Web-based systems typically use a subscription
model (e.g., SaaS), which can spread costs over time and reduce the initial
investment. However, long-term subscription costs can add up.
• Comparison: Traditional systems have higher upfront costs but may have lower long-
term costs if infrastructure is reused. Web-based systems provide a more flexible,
pay-as-you-go model but could incur more long-term operational expenses.

c. Maintenance (4 marks)

• Traditional Systems Development: Maintenance of traditional systems often

requires on-premise support staff to manage software updates, hardware upgrades,
and troubleshooting. This can be resource-intensive and time-consuming.
• Web-based Systems Development: Maintenance is typically handled by the service
provider. Software updates, patches, and hardware management are managed
remotely, freeing up internal resources.
• Comparison: Web-based systems have the advantage in maintenance since
organizations can rely on third-party vendors for updates and system upkeep,
reducing the internal burden.

4. Describe the concept of system architecture, focusing on client-server architecture.

Explain how the Internet has impacted modern system architecture and how this affects
system performance and scalability. [20]

a. System Architecture (4 marks)

• System architecture refers to the conceptual model that defines the structure,
behavior, and interactions of various components within a system. It outlines how
different parts of the system interact with each other to achieve the system’s
objectives.

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 • Key components: This includes hardware, software, network, and databases, and
how they all interact to process and store information.

b. Client-Server Architecture (6 marks)

• Client-server architecture is a model where multiple clients (end-users) request

services and resources from a central server. The server processes these requests and
provides the required information or services.
• Components:
o Client: The front-end application that users interact with.
o Server: The back-end system that manages resources and services, such as
databases, processing power, and storage.
• Example: A web browser (client) sending a request to a web server, which processes
the request and returns the webpage.
• Advantages: It allows for centralized control and resource management, enabling
multiple clients to share the same resources efficiently.

c. Impact of the Internet on Modern System Architecture (6 marks)

• The Internet has shifted many systems to a web-based, distributed model, often
hosted on cloud platforms. This enables global access to applications and resources
from anywhere with an internet connection.
• Key impacts:
o Decentralization: Resources and services are no longer confined to local
servers. They can be distributed globally across cloud servers.
o Global Access: Users can access resources from any location, increasing
system flexibility and reach.
o Collaboration: The Internet enables systems to integrate with other systems
and services across the globe (e.g., APIs).

d. Performance and Scalability (4 marks)

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 • Performance: Internet-based systems can suffer from latency and bandwidth
limitations, but this can be mitigated through the use of Content Delivery Networks
(CDNs) and optimized network protocols.
• Scalability: The Internet allows for horizontal scalability, where additional servers or
resources can be added as needed. Cloud providers, such as AWS or Google Cloud,
offer scalable services where systems can grow as demand increases without
requiring significant investments in infrastructure.

TOTAL MARKS: 100

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