Revision of HSC topic - Transaction Processing Systems

Option 1: Transaction Processing Systems (HSC Question 25)
Information systems that collect, store, modify and retrieve records of transactions are transaction processing systems. A transaction is an event that generates or modifies data that is eventually stored in an information system. Transaction processing systems meet record keeping and event tracking needs. In addition, analysing data stored in transaction processing systems may meet the information needs of end user(s). This option focuses on the information process of storing/retrieving and the other information processes that are important in transaction processing.

characteristics of transaction processing systems
• a transaction – a series of events important to an organisation that involve a request, an acknowledgement, an action and an outcome
• the components of a transaction processing system *
• batch transaction processing – the collection and storage of data for processing at a scheduled time or when there is sufficient data
• real time transaction processing – the immediate processing of data
• the significance of data validation in transaction processing
• the historical significance of transaction processing as the first type of information systems

types of transaction processing systems
• web-based
• non web-based
• on-line real time
• batch
• systems that appear real time, responding as the transactions occur, but where the actual updating is batch processed, such as credit card transactions

storing and retrieving in transaction processing systems
• storage of digital data in databases and files
• retrieval of stored data to conduct further transaction processing such as printing invoices
• systems to store paper records of transactions
• data backup and recovery *
• updating in batch systems *
• updating in on-line real time systems *

other information processes in transaction processing systems
• collecting in transaction processing
• analysing data, in which output from transaction processing is input to different types of information systems

issues related to transaction processing systems
• changing nature of work and the effect on participants
• the need for alternative procedures to deal with transactions when the TPS is not available
• bias in data collection
• the importance of data in transaction processing
• control in transaction processing and the implications it has for participants in the system
• current and emerging trends in transaction processing


Notes - * for more detail please see pages 41 - 43 of the BOS IPT Syllabus document and page 9 of the IPT course specifications document