Many students today do not fully appreciate what it was like before automated information systems. Discuss some current systems to explore what the problems were before they were implemented. Discuss about what a current system could do and then talk about what it was like in the "old days." The following list of systems could be considered for this discussion and it would let students know if the problems are solved or not.

Telephone system Buying a car Payroll system Savings accounts Stock trades Applying for a mortgage loan Checking out a book from the library Buying a book Paying taxes Student course enrollment system University course scheduling system