Managers need information for three reasons: To make effective decisions To control the activities of the organization To coordinate the activities of the organization 18- 3
Functions of an information system
Functions of an information system An information system contains information about an organization and its surrounding Three basic activities—input, processing, and output—produce the information organizations need. Feedback is output returned to appropriate people activities in the organization to evaluate and refine the input. Environmental factors such as customers, suppliers, competitors, stockholders, and regulatory agencies interact with the organization and its information systems.
Information systems are more than computers Multiple perspectives on information systems show that the study of information systems is a multidisciplinary field. No single theory or perspective dominates
The Interdependence between Organizations and Information Systems
Information System In Organisation
Flattening Organizations and the Changing Management Process
Separating Work from Location Many employees can work remotely from their homes or cars, and companies can reserve space at smaller central offices for meeting clients or other employees.
Reorganizing Work Flows An application requiring 33 days in a paper system would only take five days using computers, networks, and a streamlined work flow.
Redefining Organizational Boundaries A key feature of the emerging digital firm is the ability to conduct business across firm boundaries almost as efficiently and effectively as it can conduct business within the firm. Networked information systems allow companies to coordinate with other organizations across great distances.
The Digital Firm: Electronic Commerce, Electronic Business Electronic commerce is the process of buying and selling goods and services electronically with computerized business transactions using the Internet, networks, and other digital technologies
Types of information systems
Transaction Processing Systems Transaction processing systems (TPS) are the basic business systems that serve the operational level of the organization. A transaction processing system is a computerized system that performs and records the daily routine transactions necessary to the conduct of the business . Examples are sales order entry, hotel reservation systems, payroll, employee record keeping
Knowledge Work and Office Systems Knowledge work systems (KWS) and office systems serve the information needs at the knowledge level of the organization .
Management Information Systems Management information systems (MIS) serve the management level of the organization, providing managers with reports or with on-line access to the organization's current performance and historical records.
Decision-Support Systems Decision-support systems (DSS) also serve the management level of the organization. DSS help managers make decisions that are unique, rapidly changing, and not easily specified in advance.
Executive Support Systems Senior managers use executive support systems (ESS) to make decisions. ESS serve the strategic level of the organization. ESS are designed to incorporate data about external events such as new tax laws or competitors, but they also draw summarized information from internal MIS and DSS.
Decision Support System (DDS) Decision support systems are interactive software-based systems intended to help managers in decision making by accessing large volume of information
Programmed and Non-programmed Decisions There are two types of decisions - programmed and non-programmed decisions. Programmed decisions are basically automated processes, general routine work, where: These decisions have been taken several times These decisions follow some guidelines or rules For example, selecting a reorder level for inventories, is a programmed decision Non-programmed decisions occur in unusual and non-addressed situations, so: It would be a new decision There will not be any rules to follow These decisions are made based on available information These decisions are based on the manger's instinct and judgment For example, investing in a new technology is a non-programmed decision
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) ERP is an integrated, real-time, cross-functional enterprise application that supports all internal business processes of a company. It supports all core business processes like sales order processing, inventory management and control, production and distribution planning and finance
Scope of ERP Finance: Financial accounting, Managerial accounting, treasury management, asset management, budget control, costing and enterprise control Logistics: Production planning, material management, plant maintenance, project management, activities and events management etc. Human resource: Personnel management, training and development etc. Supply Chain: Inventory control, purchase and order control, supplier scheduling, planning etc. Work flow: Integrate the entire organization with the flexible assignment of tasks and responsibility to locations, position, jobs etc.
Advantages of ERP: Reduction of lead time Reduction of cycle time Better customer satisfaction Increased flexibility, quality and efficiency Improved information accuracy and decision making capability Onetime shipment Improved resource utilization Improve supplier performance Reduced quality costs Decision making Forecasting and optimization Better transparency
Disadvantage of ERP: Expense and time in implementation Difficulty in integration with other system Risk of implementation failure Difficulty in implementation change Risk in using one vendor