Final- Blogpost# 5

As a topic before KBS, DSS and VO, identify and describe one company that adopts an MIS. Include in your discussion, how MIS help and support the company, its managers and other employees, in their problem solving and decision-making.


Toyota supported by Management Information Systems

The early days of computer processing were driven mostly by hardware developments during the 1950s and 1960s. The lack of hardware innovation impeded the development of software applications from creating greater efficiencies in business processes. The first and second generation systems were keypunched IBM cards and paper tape based. The U.S. government funded research to network their mission-critical information systems which in turn led to the creation of the Internet in 1969. There were no distributed computer systems during the 1960s and 1970s and most business transactions were processed as batches on mainframe computers. This centralized processing and distribution of information led to the creation of management information systems (MIS) in 1969 (Laudon & Laudon, 2004).

The hardware evolution continued in the 1980s as IBM invented the personal computer (PC) to allow its customers to perform business transactions independently without mainframe computers. Interestingly, this paradigm shift fueled the rapid evolution of software applications in the information technology industry that led to third, fourth and fifth generation hardware and software applications. Software companies such as Microsoft and Oracle were the drivers of the emerging technological wave and introduced products that forced rapid changes in the hardware development process.

Managers use information systems (transaction processing [TPS], knowledge work [KWS], management information [MIS], decision support [DSS] and executive support systems [ESS]) at different organizational levels. For example, MIS can be used for semi-structured decision making at the management organizational level. In contrast, ESS can be used for unstructured (uncertainty) decision making at the strategic organizational level. Likewise, DSS can be used for semi-structured decision-making as well as at the senior management organizational level (Laudon & Laudon, 2004).

Organizations have produced specified and scheduled non-management reports to meet regulatory requirements. In contrast, organizations can produce internal management reports to assist managers in understanding the day-to-day business operations and processes. It is clear that MIS has relationships with other management support systems (MSS) such as decision support systems (DSS) and executive support systems (ESS). However, such a wide MIS coverage can be problematic for mangers without a technical background to select the appropriate tool quickly in order to make better decisions (Laudon & Laudon, 2004).

MIS are allowing manager to make decisions for the successful operation of businesses. MIS consist of computer resources people and procedures used in the modern business enterprise.

MIS tool has outlived its useful life since many business transactions and communications are processed in real time on distributed computer systems such as microcomputers, servers, personal computers, notebooks, personal digital assists, cellular phones, and hybrid multifunction x-boxes. Managers can download content from their mainframe computers’ database and work independently using ease-of-use software applications.

Reference

Journal of Knowledge Management Practice, 2005 - tlainc.com