{{Distinguish|Geographic information system}} '''Global information system''' is an information system which is developed and / or used in a global context. Some examples of GIS are SAP, The Global Learning Objects Brokered Exchange and other systems. == Definition == There are a variety of definitions and understandings of a global information system (GIS, GLIS), such as
* A '''global information system (GIS)''' is an information system which is developed and / or used in a global context.<ref>Pawlowski, J.M.: Globale Informationssysteme (Global Information Systems). In: Kurbel, K., Becker, J., Gronau, N., Sinz, E., Suhl, L. (Eds.): Online Lexikon Wirtschaftsinformatik [http://www.enzyklopaedie-der-wirtschaftsinformatik.de/wi-enzyklopaedie/lexikon/uebergreifendes/Globalisierung/Globales-Informationssystem ''Online Encyclopedia Business Information Systems''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100118043033/http://www.enzyklopaedie-der-wirtschaftsinformatik.de/wi-enzyklopaedie/lexikon/uebergreifendes/Globalisierung/Globales-Informationssystem |date=2010-01-18 }}, Oldenbourg, 2008.</ref> * A '''global information system''' (GIS) is any information system which attempts to deliver the totality of measurable data worldwide within a defined context.
Common to this class of information systems is that the context is a global setting, either for its use or development process. This means that it highly relates to distributed systems / distributed computing where the distribution is global. The term also incorporates aspects of global software development and there outsourcing (when the outsourcing locations are globally distributed) and offshoring aspects. A specific aspect of global information systems is the case (domain) of global software development.<ref>Sangwan, R., Bass, M., Mullick, N., Paulish, D.J., Kazmeier, J. (2006): Global Software Development Handbook, Auerback Publications, 2006. {{ISBN|0-8493-9384-1}}</ref> A main research aspect in this field concerns the coordination of and collaboration between virtual teams.<ref>Carmel, E. (1999): Global Software Teams: Collaborating Across Borders and Time Zones (High Performance Cluster Computing) - {{ISBN|0-13-924218-X}} </ref><ref>Garton, C., Wegryn, K. (2006): Managing Without Walls: Maximize Success with Virtual, Global, and Cross - Cultural Teams, MC Press, US, 2006.</ref> Further important aspects are the internationalization and language localization of system components.
== Tasks in designing global information systems == Critical tasks in designing global information systems are * Process and system design: How are the processes between distributed actors organized, how are the systems distributed / integrated. * Technical architecture: What is the technical infrastructure enabling actors to collaborate? * Support mechanisms: How are actors in the process of communication, collaboration, and cooperation supported?
A variety of examples can be given. Basically every multi-lingual website can be seen as a global information system. However, mostly the term GLIS is used to refer to a specific system developed or used in a global context.
== Examples == Specific examples are * Systems developed for multinational users, e.g., [http://www.sap.com SAP as a global ERP system] * Global Information Systems for Education: [https://web.archive.org/web/20190526175851/http://www.globe-info.org/ The Global Learning Objects Brokered Exchange] * For the specific case of data integration : http://data.un.org, https://web.archive.org/web/20190825060649/http://www.internettrafficreport.com/, http://www.unhcr.org/statistics.html
== More information / courses == * [http://users.jyu.fi/~japawlow/ Global Information Systems] at the University of Jyväskylä * Resources on Global Information Technology at [http://www1.american.edu/MOGIT/git/git.htm AIS World]
== References == {{reflist|2}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Global Information System}} Category:Information Category:Information systems