The Benefit of Management Information Systems - Book Report/Review Example

Introduction Information systems and technological advances have greatly revolutionized the way things are done especially on the global perspective. The last twenty years has experienced a massive paradigm shift in the way companies conduct business by incorporating modern technologies in order to garner a competetitive edge on the vicious and unpredictable global economy. It is therefore imperative that in our contemporary society all most all organizations are inclined towards embracing automated systems irrespective of their scope of operation. Management of the information systems like the intranets and systemized functional software’s are so integral in acclimatizing the performance in a given organisation. In contemporary health centres for example wide range of software’s are essentially employed to support activities that stretch from admission, to diagnostic and medical support services to the analysis of costs and care profiles of individual patients. This process amalgamates persons and paraphernalia’s in combating business anomalies. This report provides a holistic overview of the imperatives of information systems in a company set up and the challenges faced with concluding remarks on the future of information systems tomorrow’s organizations. What makes information systems a business preference is the fact that they have the capacity to support multiple functions and information consistent between different applications. Business perspective Informational system software’s corresponds to the needs of the end users and promises to be central to all future application systems. It enhances the information’s management to select diverse applications from the market in regard to the needs and cost appropriately, while offering the guarantees and capacities to interlock with the global system. Basing on informational researchers and practitioners; the requirements to curtail emergent technological risks has been a contentious point. Informational accessibility, confidentiality and integrity has been viewed as an integral aspect, nevertheless the development of protective measures against potential threat such as viruses, hackers and system failures have been the primary concern. Challenges of Information System. One of the major challenge that management and precisely information technology managers face is keeping track of management information systems and optimizing the benefits of information technology derived from meeting current processing demand and strategic processing demands. Information technology difficult to determine what systems to invest in. The question that lingers is whether to invest in information technology solutions that are currently needed or invest in information technology solutions that cater for future needs of the organization. Technology is fast moving and management systems have evolved over the years from performing basic payroll tasks to complex tasks such as providing information regarding sales, inventory and decision making processes. (Kumar, 2001) This paper explores the two scenarios in a bid to understand what factors contribute to them and what the implication are. Information technology managers must posses a solid understanding of the business structures and objectives of the organization in the information system aspect. In addition, information technology knowledge on the operation of the organization and the data flow process is also important to information technology manager in order that they are in a position make good decision on the most efficient information system to use. Information technology is only through an in depth understanding of these factors that information technology professionals can design systems or solutions that adequately meet the needs of the organization. The vast majority of companies get caught up in the middle of fast advancing technology and the changing needs of the organization. However, information technology is agreeable that investing in future needs is the best way to go. Seemingly, paying for a vision can be a sinking hole hence some information technology managers insist on investing in solutions that meet current processing demands only. However, how beneficial is this in the long term given the short life span that information systems have? Soon, these systems become obsolete. Information technology would mean constant replacement of the entire system and that costs money. The Advantages: The view and benefits of management information systems in organizations has grown significantly over the years. The value of management information systems cannot be ignored. Managements systems that are currently used include but not limited to decision support systems, expert system executive information systems and so on. (Kevin G, 1996) Management information systems provide competitive advantages to organizations in that they enable businesses or organization get more information about the business. For this reason, organizations are often inclined to install information systems that are up to date. Often organizations that operate with proper management information systems make better decision and are able to compete under stiff conditions (Kumar, 2001) Most executives in well to do organizations would give a resounding agreement to the notion that information is the key to successful businesses. The information helps mangers of organizations to direct the operations of the business without information and critical information technology is impossible to keep track of current operation or even know future demands within the organizations. The result is business failure (Kevin G, 1996) Management information systems provide solution to questions frequently asked such as how we can perform better, quicker and more economically. However, even with the solutions they provide the challenges are ever evolving. For a start management information systems cost great deal of money. (Kumar, 2001) since information system are costly and have a short life span information technology is wise to invest in an information systems that can support current processing demand and future demands. Information technology is important to note that management information systems is more than just computers rather information technology is a combination of systems of people data and activities in an organization process data to information (Kumar) The nature of information system is rigid than conflicts with the human nature. This rigidity poses limitation to organization in that if changes in processing demand occur, information technology would need a complete overhaul of the organization structure. This would be a very costly affair. Similarly, the rigid nature of management information systems discourages prompt reactions to opportunities thereby inhibiting innovation as well as concealing operational areas. To overcome such limitations in information technology is paramount to invest in information technology solutions that will be needed and not the ones that ore currently needed. Before any organization embarks on any major development or project has to ensure that enough information is gathered from all stakeholder and beneficiaries of the project in order to make a well thought out and informed decision. (Dr. S.shajahan ,2004) Management information systems play a key role in decision-making process. Organizations are faced with the task of making timely informed decisions on a daily basis. This means that the necessity of investing in information technology solutions that not only cater for current processing demand but also future ones is indispensable. By providing, the system with specifications that adequately meet the requirement of management in their reports decision-making at all levels be they tactical or operational is enhanced. (Dr. S.shajahan, 2004) Alternatively, information technology mangers can design management information systems that futures oriented rapidly respond to changes and that are able of being integrated within existing systems easily In this knowledge bases business environment information is the key to successful business operation (Kevin G, 1996). Noting the short-lived contribution to any information technology solutions, information technology is wise for managers to keep abreast with new technology and invest in information technology solutions that are in tandem with visionary objectives and goals of the organization The benefit of technology of management information systems that information technology frees the employees time of petty destructions and enables them focus on more strategic functions in the company. To the managers information technology provides them with relevant information regarding the employees that enable them give legal or ethical support to information technology employees. Conclusion Information technology changes rapidly and information technology managers need to constantly evaluate and reevaluate their systems in order to up date their systems to sufficiently meet current and future information needs. Management information systems are synonymous to the human heart and any break down or deficiency in information technology causes dire consequences to any organization. Management information systems provide information necessary to facilitate managerial activities such as planning organizing directing motivating co-ordination and so on. All these activities involve decision making which in turn require information. Management information system facilitates cost effective information flow and transfer within and outside the organization. The benefit of management information systems is that information technology provides required information at the right time and at the lowest cost. Further management information systems avoid information overload that can cloud decisions by managers. Bibliography Kevin, G. (1996) Reengineering MANAGMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS: Aligning Information technology and Business Operations. Idea Group Inc (IGI) Dr. S.shajahan (2004) Management Information Systems. New Age Publishers Media: Kumar N (2001) Management Information System Anmol Publications Pvt Ltd Read More