Information Systems for Management (MGSC 3101)

1. Information Systems for Management (MGSC 3101) Instructor: Dr. Princely Ifinedo

2. What is MIS? • Management information systems (MIS) is a general name for the academic discipline covering the use of procedures and technologies by people with the view to solving business problems. • Began in the mid 1960s and consolidated in the early 1980s • It is concerned with the application of the knowledge of information systems and technology to help organizations compete more successfully in the marketplace • Is MIS the same as computer science?

3. An MIS professional at work A computer scientist in his world Figure 1. Illustrating the difference between MIS professionals and computer scientists

4. What is MIS? (Cont.) • MIS has its roots in the Management Departments of Business Schools. It deals with the application of IT to solving organizational and managerial needs. • Computer science grew out of the of mathematics and electrical/electronics engineering disciplines. It focuses on the development of software programs and applications.

5. Key Terms • Information technology (IT) – can be described as the application of technological knowledge to any aspect of generating, manipulating, and communicating information. (Narrow definition of IT refers to the technical aspect of information systems). • The term is used as a synonym for computers and computer networks, but it also covers other information distribution technologies such as television and telephones. Several industries are associated with information technology, such as computer hardware, software, electronics, semiconductors, internet, telecom equipment and computer services.

6. Key Terms • An information system (IS) refers to a set of interrelated components that collect (retrieve), process, store, and distribute information to support decision making and control in an organization. • IS bridges business and computer science using the theoretical foundations of information and computation to study various business models and related algorithmic processes within a computer science discipline.

7. Examples of MIS used in organizations • CRM • ERP • BI Systems • DATA WAREHOUSE • SCM • DSS • ESS (EIS) • BPM

8. Key Concepts • Data – streams of raw facts representing events in the organization or in the external environment • Information – data that have been shaped into meaningful forms • Input – the capture or collection of raw data from the organization or the external environment • Processing – the conversion, manipulation, and analysis of raw input into a form that is more meaningful to humans • Output – the distribution of processed information to people who will use it or the activities for which it will be used

9. Benefits of IS to the Organization • Offers new services (e.g. ATMs allow banks to offer round-the-clock service) • Improved efficiency - Products and services can be produced cheaply (e.g. CAM) • Improved decision making - (e.g. the use of enterprise systems, ERP in organizations) • IS means expanded e-commerce / e-business (e.g. Barnes and Noble) • An investment in IS can support a core competency (e.g. SABRE) • IS supports distribution channel management (e.g. UPS) • Synergistic information systems (e.g. EDI)

10. Why Study MIS? • MIS is a business function, similar to Accounting, Finance, Marketing, Operations Management, and Human Resources • You must be IS literate to succeed in an organization today • MIS skills enable you to think critically and solve business problems using IT • You signal to potential employer that you have an understanding of how IS can be used to meet organizational objectives and goals • MIS opens new doors for business graduates (positions as IS/business analysts, IS coordinators, E-commerce consultants, IT specialists, etc).