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 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