Information systems automate many business steps that were formerly performed manually, such as checking a client’s credit or generating an invoice and shipping order. Today, technology can actually change the flow of information, making it possible for many more people to access and share information, replacing sequential steps with tasks that can be performed simultaneously, and eliminating delays in decision making. Today information systems support a wide range of structured, often chained, activities or tasks conducted by people or equipment to produce a specific service or product for a particular user, consumer, and to accomplish an organizational goal. A logically related set of activities that defines how specific business tasks are performed and represents a unique way in which an organization coordinates work, information, and knowledge is called a(n) .