Meaning
Transaction processing system is a important type of Management information system. It is the earliest type of information system. Previously transaction processing was done manually. But today, with the development of information technology, data processing is done electronically. A transaction processing system collect, stores, modifies and retrieves the transactions of an organization.TPS is an information system that processes data arising from the occurrence of business transaction. And it also processes day to day transactions of an organization to carry on its business operations. Transaction processing often includes the activities like calculation, storage and retrieval, classification, summarization and sorting. And it also includes cash registers, recording cash withdrawals, purchase order recording, purchases etc.
Definition
Laudon define transaction processing system (TPS) as” transaction processing systems are computerized systems that perform and record the daily routine transactions necessary to conduct the business”.
Important features of transaction processing system
The following are the important features of Transaction Processing System:
The response time of a TPS is important because a business cannot afford to have their customers waiting for long periods of time before making a transaction.TPS system are designed to process transactions virtually instantly. It takes only few seconds for a transaction.
Transaction processing system should be reliable. Customers will not tolerate mistakes. TPS system is always should contain sufficient safety and security measures.
A TPS wants every transaction to be processed in exactly the same way, regardless of the user, the customer or the time of day. Transaction must be processed in the same way each time to maximize efficiency. If a TPS was flexible, different types of data would be entered in different orders.
TPS produces information on the historical basis. Because TPS generate information taking into account transactions already taken place in the organization.
- Link with external environment
Transaction processing system establishes the relation with external environment Because TPS distributes information to its customers and suppliers.
- Distribution of information to other systems
TPS produces information and distributes it to the other type of systems. For ex: sales processing systems supply information to the general ledger systems.
Since TPS systems can be such a powerful business tool, it must be able to allow only authorized employees to access it at any time. Restricted access to the system ensures that employees that employees who have the authority will only be able to process and control transaction.