Final answer:
The logic tier is the component that enables operations in an information system, serving as the central processing hub that connects the user interface with data storage while executing business rules and computations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The component in an information system that enables operations is the logic tier. This tier is the middle layer in multi-tiered information systems architecture and is primarily responsible for executing the business rules, algorithms, and computational logic that process data. The logic tier acts as a bridge between the user-facing presentation tier, which handles the user interface and user experience, and the data tier, which consists of the database and data storage systems. By implementing the actual functionality of the system, the logic tier enables it to operate effectively.
The other tiers serve different roles. The presentation tier is responsible for presenting the data to the user, while the communications tier may handle the connectivity and network communication aspects. The data tier handles the storage and management of data. However, it is the logic tier that processes the inputs and commands, providing the desired outcomes and behaviors that make the information system operational.
Information technologies such as the Internet, GPS, or GIS have significantly impacted society by allowing systems to store, retrieve, and transmit vast amounts of information efficiently. These technologies have enabled the development of complex multi-tiered information systems that can respond to information essential to various life processes, as highlighted by Big Idea 3 of living systems.