The abbreviation "AIS" is often heard, but not everyone understands what it exactly means. The fact is that AIS - automated information systems - are so diverse that it is not surprising to get confused. Meanwhile, the term hides familiar phenomena and processes.
What it is
According to the definition of the financial dictionary, an automated information system (AIS, English ais) is a collection of software and hardware designed for storing and / or managing data and information and making calculations.
That is, AIS is a database, programs, computers, electronic information storage and other equipment. With their help, information about the work or behavior of an object is automatically collected and accumulated. And an object can be anything: from an individual enterprise to an entire industry on a global scale, from an individual organism to distant stars and galaxies.
In addition, the concept of "AIS" also includes specialists who ensure the operation of the system. It can be not only programmers, but also managers, business leaders and others.
Where are AIS used? Almost everywhere! AIS is already an integral part of everyday life. So, the World Wide Web is also an AIS. You come to the bank or post office, take a coupon in the electronic terminal - AIS directs you to the right window and informs you when the turn has come.
AIS helps to manage production in factories and plants, control the receipt and sale of goods in retail chains. With their help, meteorologists make weather forecasts, the military manages missile launches and monitors the security of borders, astronomers study the Universe.
AIS performs the following functions:
- accumulate information in databases;
- allow you to track processes in the area covered by the AIS;
- make recommendations or make decisions themselves based on accurate generalized data;
- minimize the possibility of errors, reduce the influence of the "human factor";
- speed up production processes and information exchange many times over;
- reduce the labor intensity of a person's work.
Types of AIS
Depending on the purpose and scope of application, there are several types of AIS.
Information AIS. They help a person to accumulate, organize and use information. These include:
- information and reference systems (ISS), which serve for the accumulation, storage, processing and transmission of information. These are electronic dictionaries, reference books, various databases;
- information retrieval systems (ISS). Provides information from different sources based on the request. An example is Internet search engines. There are also regional, local and specialized IPSs - they are used in certain regions or professional areas;
- information measuring (IMS) - are used to automatically collect information about the state and parameters of an object over time. For example, to monitor the operation of spacecraft systems;
- geographic information systems (GIS) accumulate information about various objects in accordance with their location in space (usually a map). You actively use such systems when you are looking for an address or geographical coordinates of a place of interest in your smartphone;
- IS for the automation of document flow and accounting. They are widely used in factories to reduce paperwork.
Automated control systems (ACS) help a person to manage certain processes. They are needed, for example, in large companies, at manufacturing plants, in transport. ACS include, in particular:
- process control systems (APCS). For example, the operation of equipment in drilling and oil wells today is controlled by computers and programs. A person can only control and sometimes adjust the operation of systems;
- enterprise management systems (ACS). Covers the non-production areas of the enterprise: planning, finance, sales, personnel management, etc.;
- sectoral industry management systems (OASU). For example, a special system "Russian Post", which tracks the movement of postal items.
Examples of other AIS:
- artificial intelligence systems (AI) capable of solving some creative problems;
- access control (and management) systems (ACS, ACS). They allow you to create special conditions of access in the enterprise, organization or private property. For this, electronic keys, fingerprint scanning and other methods of human identification are used;
- computer-aided design (CAD) systems that help "computerize" the work of designers. They are widely used in mechanical engineering, instrument making, architecture and construction;
- automated scientific research systems (ASNI) - help scientists to make calculations and create accurate mathematical models of the studied phenomena or processes. They are actively used in natural and exact sciences, find application in other areas;
- training AIS are e-learning systems. For example, Learning Space.
AIS for school and schoolchildren
Let's consider in more detail the use of AIS in one of the areas.
In recent years, Russia has been actively introducing automated information systems in secondary education. They are aimed primarily at simplifying the interaction between school and parents. Different regions may operate their own AIS, but usually they have a number of common functions:
- Registration of a child in an educational institution.
- Electronic journal / diary. The teacher logs the schedule, homework, and student grades. Students and their parents have access to this information. An important condition: schoolchildren can only see their own grades, and parents, accordingly, only the grades of their child.
- Informing children and parents about the results of exams.
- Publication of news, announcements of competitions and olympiads and other important information.
- Useful links.
- Online messaging between parent and teacher.
Thus, parents can follow the child's studies and receive answers to most of their questions through electronic channels. Educational AIS in different regions may have their own additional functionality.
You can enroll a child in school, learn about his progress and preliminary results of the Unified State Exam through another AIS - "Gosuslugi". The specific list of services available on the portal depends on the region.
Another AIS
The abbreviation "AIS" can also stand for "Automatic Identification System". In this sense, AIS is a system in shipping that serves to identify vessels, their dimensions, heading and other data using ultrashort wave (VHF) radio waves. This system improves the safety of navigation, prevents collisions, helps in rescue operations, etc.
However, according to Wikipedia, now and here the abbreviation "AIS" is often deciphered as "automatic information system". Taking into account the fact that the functionality of the ship identification system in recent decades has become much wider, the correction of the term is quite justified.
