Management Information System

Management Information System

q7a. What are the principal tools and technologies for accessing information from databases to improve business performance and decision making?

Usually, different types of corporate software access the information from databases. It can be the ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system, which is designed to facilitate and drive business processes. Also, databases can be accessed by CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system in order to serve the purposes of supply chains’ and clients’ management. Decision support systems and executive support systems access the database too. They extract the information and provide tools for the decision-making on different corporate levels. There are also e-business applications that access the information from databases when processing the data exchange between two companies’ information systems.
q7b. Describe the roles of information policy and data administration in information management.

Information policy defines the ways in which all corporate data is gathered, processed, disclosed or deleted. It applies regulations and restrictions for the data access and processing. Information policy is closely associated with the information security on one side and data administration on another. The purpose of data administration is to supervise all corporate practices and procedures that access or change the data in information systems. The other role of data administration is to ensure that all corporate information systems are efficient within their scope of functionality.
Q8a. It has been said that you do not need database management software to create a database environment. Discuss.

Theoretically, the database environment could be created without DBMS (DataBase Management System). It is possible to define all database objects and tables manually; it is also possible to manually populate them and set the processing rules. However, such approach would require the employment of numerous exerts in low-level database engineering, which is very expensive. Also, such approach would render impossible the database use for any broad group of employees. When there is a DBMS on top of the database, it offers a number of easy-to-use tools for any category of employees and facilitates the business.

Q8b. Discuss management issues associated with databases like information policies, data administration, data governance, and data quality?

Information policy sets fundamental rules for all corporate data. As company grows, amounts of unmanageable data can create chaos without the information policy. Data administration is more detailed; it defines the processes for all corporate data throughout its lifecycle. Again, the lack of strict rules can make the processing of information impossible. Data governance defines the individual or group ownership of certain parts of corporate data. This practice, combined with information audit activities, ensures that all information is properly attended to and there is no useless “no mans’” data in the company. Data quality addresses issues with the trustworthiness and completeness of all corporate data.

Q9. How do the Internet and Internet technology work and how do they support communication and e-business?

Internet is designed to allow all participating computers to share all kinds of information. The inter-computer communication happens over various types of connections and by means of special software. In a simplest case it involves a web-server such as google.com and a number of client PCs running web-browsing applications (Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox etc). Computers distinguish each other in a web space by using so-called IP addresses. Those are unique identifiers of a sender and addressee in every data exchange. E-business applications connect information systems of different companies over the Internet. Usually, the communication happens with additional encryption, for example using the VPN (Virtual Private Network) technology.

Q10a. What is the business value of a DSS?

DSS stands for the Decision Support System. It is a type of information system that facilitates the decision-making process in a company or organization. DSS incorporates the number of data sources, including the knowledge base that is specific for every company. The DSS software is interactive. It means that the decision is made gradually; in a process of narrowing the options by matching manager’s choices against the various data and expert knowledge. DSS helps to analyze significant amounts of data and capable of building models of company’s development.
Q10b. If both contemporary ESS and DSS incorporate tools for modeling and analysis, what qualities distinguish the two types of system?

ESS stands for the Executive Support System and can be described as a custom case of DSS.  Both systems share the same concept. However, ESS is more focused on user-friendliness and maximum interactivity. ESS is a tool for top executives and thus less detailed than the DSS. It requires previous filtering of all the data and knowledge. The raw information needs to be transformed into meaningful numbers and indicators before it could be used. Finally, ESS plays a relatively minor role in the actual decision-making on the executive level. It rather prepares the foundation for a decision.
Q11. Why are larger supply chains more difficult to manage? List several reasons from your local and GCC based companies.

Large supply chains are very complex, as they comprise numerous manufacturers and traders. The balance of a large supply chain is unstable. The small deviation in one part of a chain affects all participants. The probability of an error is higher in a large supply chain than in a smaller one. The information is being distorted as it goes through all parties, leading to unpredictable consequences. This effect often takes place in a cross-cultural trade with GCC companies. Those are main reasons why companies try to build their own supply chains, from manufacturing to the final distribution.

Q12a. How do customer relationship management systems help firms achieve customer intimacy?

CRM systems are specifically designed to facilitate relationships with customers. Once customer in a database, he is treated individually. If customer calls, he/she is addressed by name, as all customers’ details are integrated with CRM call management system. Other communication channels, such as e-business applications, offer the variety of services to the customer. CRM systems allow remote connections for e-business client’s application, providing the safe and convenient way to manage the cooperation process. CRM systems make an impression of letting the customer inside the business, which helps building the intimacy as well.
Q12b. If a company wants to implement an enterprise application, it had better do its homework. Discuss the implications of this statement.

Enterprise applications are very complex in design and extremely expensive. The larger enterprise is, the more sophisticated software is required to manage it. Thorough analysis precedes the development of enterprise application. There are no “out of the box” solutions on the enterprise level. Even best vendors spend months and years in a course of single implementation, because it requires customization and integration with existing systems. Poorly designed enterprise applications can crash the business. Properly developed and implemented systems require extensive support and maintenance. The amount of funds involved in the process obliges to take the task seriously.
q13a. Describe the challenges of global supply chains and how Internet technology can help companies manage them better.

Global supply chains are extremely complex. There are many uncertainties and risks, as the balance is always shaky. For example, some important overseas deliveries were delayed because of two-week’s storm, and the whole chain is affected heavily. There are also continually changing economic factors. Social conditions five years ago might have favored placing the manufacturing capacities in some countries; however, today production becomes unprofitable. Consequently, the whole chain is disrupted. Often Internet technologies can facilitate the management of global supply chains. The timely access to the information, as well as modeling software, helps avoiding many risks.
13b. How can customers use the Web site of each company to help them with supply chain management?

There are number of ways. First, customers can browse through the publicly accessible area of a company website. Second, customers can be granted individual access rights based on the login and password to access the restricted parts of the website with confidential content. Additionally, customers may be provided with specialized client software that will connect to the supplier’s information system via Internet and perform various operations. Finally, there is a possibility to integrate information systems of customer and supplier in B2B (business-to-business) schema. That will provide the most comprehensive data exchange for supply chain management.
Q14. What is the role of knowledge management and knowledge management programs in business?

The role of knowledge management is to gather, analyze, and distribute the corporate experience by means of specialized software. The expert knowledge of individual employees is consolidated with the experience that corporate processes and practices produce. Without the knowledge management, many valuable insights and experiences are lost. It is the role of knowledge management programs to offer the corporate knowledge when appropriate across the organization. Knowledge management programs can be separate expert systems, artificial intelligence systems, or document management systems. They can also be the part of enterprise application, specifically developed for the company’s needs.