Information needs for business managers tend to be similar for most businesses when one considers the same level of management. There are usually three levels of managers whose information needs are slightly different from each other. These include operational managers, middle managers, and executive or senior managers. Computer based information systems provide the information needed by the aforementioned categories of managers, which assists them in their work. The following are the information needs of the three categories of managers. Operational managers usually benefit from such systems by getting all the information related to the short-term or daily operations of the organization. For instance, the computer based information systems provides such managers with information related to attendance of employees, shifts of employees, and so forth. Such information helps operational managers make structured business decisions. On the other hand, middle management benefits from a computer based information systems by getting managerial or Continue reading
Systems Management
Elements of a System
The word System is derived from Greek word Systema, which means an organized relationship between any set of components to achieve some common cause or objective. A system is an orderly grouping of interdependent components linked together according to a plan to achieve a specific goal. Systems are often complex, with many parts working together to achieve the common goal. In order to understand how a system works, it is often necessary to study its individual components and how they interact. Elements of a System The important elements of a system are; Output and Inputs Processor(s) Control Feedback Environment Boundaries and Interface 1. Outputs and Inputs A major objective of a system is to produce an output that has value to its user. Whatever the nature of the output, it must be within the line with the explanations of the intended user. Inputs are the elements that enter the system Continue reading
11 Types of Information Systems Used in Business
Conceptually, information systems in the real world can be classified in several different ways. For example, several types of information systems can be classified conceptually as either operations or management information systems. 1. Operations Support Systems Information systems have always been needed to process data generated by, and used in, business operations. Such operations support systems produce a variety of information products for internal and external use. However, they do not emphasize producing the specific information products that can best be sued by managers. Further processing by management information systems is usually required. The role of a business firm’s operations support systems is to efficiently process business transactions, control industrial processes, support enterprise communications and collaboration, and update corporate databases. 1. 1. Transaction Processing Systems Operations support systems include the major category of transaction processing systems (TPS). Transaction processing systems record and process data resulting from business transactions. Typically examples Continue reading
IT Tools and Technologies for Managers
1. Customer-Focused e-Business A key strategy by managers for becoming a successful e-business is to maximize customer value. This strategic focus on customer value recognizes that quality rather than price becomes the primary determinant in a customer’s perception of value. A Customer-Focused e-business, then, is one that uses Internet technologies to keep customer loyal by anticipating their future needs, responding to concerns, and providing top quality customer service. Such technologies like intranets, the Internet, and extranet websites create new channels for interactive communications within a company, with customers, and with suppliers, business partners, and others in the external business environment. Thereby, encouraging cross-functional collaboration with customers in product development, marketing, delivery, service and technical support. A successful Customer-Focused e-business attempts to ‘own’ the customer’s total business experience through such approaches as: Letting the customer place orders directly, and through distribution partners Building a customer database that captures customers’ Continue reading
Case Study on MIS: Information System in Restaurant
Case Summary: A waiter takes an order at a table, and then enters it online via one of the six terminals located in the restaurant dining room. The order is routed to a printer in the appropriate preparation area: the cold item printer if it is a salad, the hot-item printer if it is a hot sandwich or the bar printer if it is a drink. A customer’s meal check-listing (bill) the items ordered and the respective prices are automatically generated. This ordering system eliminates the old three-carbon-copy guest check system as well as any problems caused by a waiter’s handwriting. When the kitchen runs out of a food item, the cooks send out an ‘out of stock’ message, which will be displayed on the dining room terminals when waiters try to order that item. This gives the waiters faster feedback, enabling them to give better service to the customers. Continue reading
E-Business Models
The term E-business (electronic business) is similar to terms like e-mail, e-commerce, helping not only in buying, selling but also in servicing customers and collaborating with business partners. Today, major corporations are rethinking their businesses in terms of the internet and its new culture and capabilities. Companies are using web to buy parts and supplies from other companies, to collaborate on sales promotions, and to do joint research. Exploiting the convenience, availability, and world-wide reach of the Internet, many companies, have discovered how to use the Internet in a better way. After the first wave of e-business, ‘bricks and clicks’ businesses — those with both a traditional and e-commerce approach — find that, while they already have sound financial resources, they, too, must find the right e-business model(s) for generating profitable revenue streams from the Internet. In terms of operationalising the e-business strategy a variety of e-business models are now Continue reading