A Strategic Information System (SIS) is a system to manage information and assist in strategic decision making. A strategic information system has been defined as, “The information system to support or change enterprise’s strategy.” Simply says, a Strategic Information System is a type of Information System that is aligned with business strategy and structure. The alignment increases the capability to respond faster to environmental changes and thus creates a competitive advantage. An early example was the favorable position afforded American and United Airlines by their reservation systems, Sabre and Apollo. (American Airlines worked with IBM to develop an improved booking/reservation system, and the Airline Reservation Systems (ARS) and the Semi-Automatic Business Research System (SABRE) launched thereafter in 1960. The network completed set-up in 1964, and it was recognized as the largest data processing system in existence. United Airlines developed the Apollo Reservation System, and shortly after allowed travel agents access. Continue reading
Business Information Systems
Uses of Virtual Private Networks (VPN)
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a point to point connection that connects a user to a private network in a different location. Basically, VPNs are used to set up a secure connection to the internet. A VPN works by creating a point to point connection from a public wifi connection to a private wifi connection in a business or company building as if you are directly connected to the network. Since the normally accepted definition for a network is fairly common and usually accepted throughout the trade. A network consists of any variety of devices which may communicate through some arbitrary technique. Devices of this nature include computers, printers, and routers will reside in geographically numerous locations. The strategies during which they will communicate are varied, since there are infinite electronic communication specifications, data-link, transport, and application layer protocols. For the needs of simplicity, let’s simply agree that a Continue reading
What is Data-Driven Decision Making (DDDM)?
Data-driven decision making (DDDM) refers to a process of making decisions that are based on data and statistical analysis. This approach is becoming increasingly popular in various industries and organizations, as it allows leaders and managers to make informed decisions based on facts, rather than intuition or personal opinions. DDDM involves collecting and analyzing large amounts of data and using the insights generated to make decisions that are informed by evidence. In other words, DDDM is a systematic and empirical approach to decision making that uses data and statistics to support or reject hypotheses, to draw inferences and to make predictions. The goal of DDDM is to identify patterns, correlations, and trends in data and use that information to make decisions that are likely to lead to better outcomes. The benefits of Data-driven decision making are many and varied. Firstly, it provides a framework for making decisions that are informed Continue reading
Management Information and Control Systems (MICS) Installation
The decision to establish a formal Management Information and Control System (MICS) becomes almost inevitable in today’s business climate. The accelerating needs for uniform, concise and timely information by all levels of management dictates the establishment of such a system. The results can be better control of and greater profitability from the enterprise. Essentially the functioning of a MICS involves transmission of all pertinent data necessary to the conduct of a business to one or more management information centers, where it is maintained mid then disseminated in discrete form to all levels of management. This description provides no reference to computers or any other specific type of data processing equipment. This is to emphasize that possession of data processing equipment is not a pre-requisite for Management Information and Control Systems. Computers, punched card equipment, data collection and transmission equipment, etc., are excellent tools that can, if costs and volume warrant, Continue reading
ERP Tutorial
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) implementation needs lot of attention and dedication from all the concerned. The top management role is generally limited to the approval of the ERP package and taking care of ERP budgets. The top management identifies a person as ‘Champion’ to take the decisions as required. Once the company decides to go for a specific ERP, all the employees who are likely to be affected shall be taken into confidence and each of the end user shall be provided with ERP tutorial for their function. While there are more than one standard ERP tutorial, it may be better for the consulting company or the company’s IT department to device their own tutorial. While ERP application is being customized, the concerned are consulted and their inputs are taken. Once the customization is done, the system integration and testing are done. At this point of time the users are Continue reading
Introduction to Management Information Systems (MIS)
A management information system (MIS) can be defined as a system that: Provides information to support managerial functions like planning, organizing, directing, controlling. Collects information in a systematic and a routine manner which is in accordance with a well defined set of rules. Includes files, hardware, software and operations research models of processing, storing, retrieving and transmitting information to the users. A management information system (MIS) is a subset of the overall internal controls of a business covering the application of people, documents, technologies, and procedures by management accountants to solving business problems such as costing a product, service or a business-wide strategy. Management information systems are distinct from regular information systems in that they are used to analyze other information systems applied in operational activities in the organization. Academically, the term is commonly used to refer to the group of information management methods tied to the automation or support Continue reading