Question

There are various information systems which have been developed and established to transform or automate different business processes. Critically discuss two of these IS and provide their characteristics.  

Answer 1

Business processes tend to use many types of information systems. They can operate at the same time or not.

1. Executive support system:

This is known as ESS and is used by senior management for strategic decisions. It is used to collect, analyse, and then summarize key points of data from internal and outside processes in a business. There is data involvement during modeling and analysis phases. What-if analysis is also used.

Characteristics:

• It is easy for higher level staff to use.
• It is used to analyze current trends.
• It helps in augmenting leadership capabilities of managers.
• It is used to enhance personal thinking as well as decision making.
• It has contributed a lot to control flexibility.
• The organization competitiveness in the overall market is enhanced by it.

2. Knowledge management system:

It is also known as KMS. It is used to assist businesses in creating information and sharing it. There are opportunities for employees to create new expertise. It can then be used to further create commercial opportunities. The categorization as well as distribution of data is allowed by these systems. Group collaboration is used to share the data further.

Characteristics:

• It delivers the best results and services for the organization.
• Best practices are yielded across the teams.
• It helps in overall growth of organization quickly.
• Process improvements are promoted by this system.
• It also encourages innovation by reducing loss of data and information.
• It has also facilitated the transition to new employees from old ones.