Question

What are the primary issues in information management? Explain

Answer 1

Lack of Strategy

Many of the most common MIS issues can be traced back to a lack of a solid strategy. Information systems leaders are well aware of the many tools available to gather data on their network. But putting that information to use is often a challenge.

At one time, technology departments served as a separate operation, providing tech support and keeping an organization’s server equipment running. Today, MIS leadership often sits alongside other business leaders, working together to ensure that the technology being used supports the overall mission of the company moving forward.

Meeting Organizational Needs

MIS plays an ever-increasing role in organizations, with professionals relying on technology for every aspect of operations. Sales and marketing rely heavily on customer relationship software to track client interactions, for instance, while accounting needs its own software for billing, invoicing and financial tracking.

With more than half of all companies now relying on big data analytics, MIS is playing an even more important role. Before making a decision, today’s management teams are likely to pull reports on existing activity to ensure they use facts rather than make educated guesses.

Attracting and Retaining Top Talent

For at least the past couple decades, the growth in technology has outpaced the number of people entering the field. Over the past seven out of 10 years, IT positions have been in the top 10 of jobs with the most hiring challenges, as documented by ManpowerGroup. The professionals most in demand include developers and programmers, database administrators and IT leaders and managers.

Even as an increasing number of businesses shift to cloud software, the IT shortage continues to affect businesses. If cloud technology providers have difficulty finding professionals to support the applications their clients use, the businesses will see issues. Even with cloud technology, though, many organizations find they still need to have an MIS specialist on staff to ensure the business meets its goals.

Keeping Up with Change

If one thing is for certain in information technology, it’s that nothing will remain the same for long. From one year to the next, innovations mean that software needs to be upgraded and even replaced. In order to remain competitive, businesses have to keep up with this, investing in software that will give them an edge.

As businesses respond to those changes, though, they face a challenge in getting employees on board with adjusting what they do. At one time this was simply training employees to go from old paper-based processes to using computers in the first place. Today, managers have to onboard new systems while ensuring they provide employees what they need to be productive.

Integrating New Technologies

Although there are plenty of comprehensive solutions, businesses will inevitably find that they have multiple types of software operating at once. This includes general administrative tools like Microsoft Office, as well as specialized tools for accounting, customer relationship management and project-management tools, among many others. Ensuring all these tools work together is essential since otherwise, employees will find they have to duplicate processes.

Complicating matters is the fact that employees no longer work using just one dedicated computer on a desk in an office space. Many employees work in the field, using laptops and tablets. You’ll also have numerous cellphones in addition to the laptop and desktop computers your employees use, bringing challenges to providing support without risking security.

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