Question

Identifying Key Organizational Resources

What comes to mind when you think of the term information systems? You might focus on the technological components that collect data and disseminate information. Or, you might focus on how people interact with information systems, such as how they use the information or how management information systems are implemented. Whichever aspect stands out, it’s important to know how information systems continue to grow and affect organizations around the world.

In this Assignment, you will respond to a set of questions on information technology, management information systems, and hardware and software.

To prepare for this Assignment:

Submit your responses to the following prompts:

• Define information and information technology and provide examples of each. (75 words, or 1 paragraph)
• Describe the role of management information systems in supporting a company’s business functions. (150 words, or 2 paragraphs)
• Select two types of information systems a company might need and explain why those systems are important. (75–150 words, or 1–2 paragraphs)
• People, information, and information technology are key resources in an organization. Place these three resources in order of importance to an organization (1 being most important, 3 being least important), and explain why you have ordered them as you have. (150–225 words, or 2–3 paragraphs)
• Describe the role of the knowledge workers, or people, in a company in ensuring the management information systems are used effectively. (75–150 words, or 1–2 paragraphs)
• Define the terms of hardware and software. (75 words, or 1 paragraph)
• Identify three types of hardware required to support a company’s operations and describe how they support those operations. (75 words, or 1 paragraph)
• Identify three types of software required to support a company’s operations and describe how they support those operations. (75 words, or 1 paragraph)

Note: For each prompt, be sure to reference at least one scholarly source to support your answer.

PLEASE ANSWER TO THE QUESTIONS!!! THANK YOU

Answer 1

1.Inforamtion:

  Information is a stimuli that has meaning  in some context for its receiver. When information is entered into and stored in a computer, it is generally referred to as data. After processing (such as formatting and printing), output data can again be perceived as information.

Eg: Name,Identification,Address,Contact,Biographical etc..

Inforamtion Technology:

Information technology (IT) is the use of computers to store, retrieve, transmit, and manipulate data or information. IT is typically used within the context of business operations as opposed to personal or entertainment technologies.

Eg:

• Telephone and radio equipment and switches used for voice communications.
• Traditional computer applications that include data storage and programs to input, process and output the data.

2. The main role of Management Information Systems is to report on business operations with the purpose of supporting decision making. This is to ensure that the organization is managed in a better and more efficient way so that it can be able to achieve full potential thus gain competitive advantage.

• To provide information readily to company decision makers. Regardless of whether it is a marketing, financial or operational issue, managers need quick access to information so that they can make good decisions that will have a positive impact on the company’s performance. Management Information Systems enhance this by strategically storing vast amounts of information about the company in a central location that can be easily accessed by managers over a network. This means that managers from different departments have access to the same information hence they will be able to make decisions that collectively help solve the company’s problems in the quickest way.
• Management Information Systems also help in data collection. Data from everyday operations in the company is collected and brought together with data from sources outside the organization. This enables a healthy and functional relationship between distributors, retail outlets and any other members of the supply chain. It also helps keep good track of performance since production and sales numbers will be recorded and stored in a central database that can be accessed by all members of the MIS. Access to this information also helps ensure that problems are detected early and decisions are made quickly using the latest information.
• To improve on the company’s reporting. One of the reasons why Management Information Systems are favored by large companies is the effectiveness of the reporting features. The decisions can be made quickly because the information is presented in an easy to understand format. The fact that the system is accessible by people from different parts of the organization makes it an effective reporting and communication tool. Findings can be shared among colleagues with all the necessary supplementary data. It is also possible to create brief executive summaries that sum up the whole situation for review by senior company executives in situations that need their approval.

3. Two main types of Information System are:

Transaction Processing System (TPS):

By recording the day to day business transactions, TPS system provides answers to the above questions in a timely manner.

• The decisions made by operational managers are routine and highly structured.
• The information produced from the transaction processing system is very detailed.

For example, banks that give out loans require that the company that a person works for should have a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the bank. If a person whose employer has a MoU with the bank applies for a loan, all that the operational staff has to do is verify the submitted documents. If they meet the requirements, then the loan application documents are processed. If they do not meet the requirements, then the client is advised to see tactical management staff to see the possibility of signing a MoU.

Examples of transaction processing systems include;

• Point of Sale Systems – records daily sales
• Payroll systems – processing employees salary, loans management, etc.
• Stock Control systems – keeping track of inventory levels
• Airline booking systems – flights booking management.

Management Information System (MIS)

Management Information Systems (MIS) are used by tactical managers to monitor the organization's current performance status. The output from a transaction processing system is used as input to a management information system.

The MIS system analyzes the input with routine algorithms i.e. aggregate, compare and summarizes the results to produced reports that tactical managers use to monitor, control and predict future performance.

For example, input from a point of sale system can be used to analyze trends of products that are performing well and those that are not performing well. This information can be used to make future inventory orders i.e. increasing orders for well-performing products and reduce the orders of products that are not performing well.

Examples of management information systems include;

• Sales management systems – they get input from the point of sale system
• Budgeting systems – gives an overview of how much money is spent within the organization for the short and long terms.
• Human resource management system – overall welfare of the employees, staff turnover, etc.

Tactical managers are responsible for the semi-structured decision. MIS systems provide the information needed to make the structured decision and based on the experience of the tactical managers, they make judgement calls i.e. predict how much of goods or inventory should be ordered for the second quarter based on the sales of the first quarter.

4. Hardware: Computer hardware includes the physical parts of a computer, such as the case, central processing unit (CPU), monitor, mouse, keyboard, computer data storage, graphics card, sound card, speakers and motherboard.

Software: Computer software, or simply software, is a collection of data or computer instructions that tell the computer how to work. This is in contrast to physical hardware, from which the system is built and actually performs the work. In computer science and software engineering, computer software is all information processed by computer systems, programs and data. Computer software includes computer programs, libraries and related non-executable data, such as online documentation or digital media. Computer hardware and software require each other and neither can be realistically used on its own.

5. The three types of hardware required to support a company’s operations are  

• Desktop or Laptop Computer
• Router
• External Hard Drive

1. A Desktop or Laptop Computer

Whether you're using custom desktop computers, easy to move laptops, to multi-user workstations, make sure you're working with a reputable company for your computing needs. Weigh whether you want a desktop or laptop computer. You'll need products that will last for several years and hardware that will require minimal upkeep or maintenance. Luckily, there are plenty of quality computer and great laptop options available on the market.

2. External Hard Drive

Some computers in your network may need an external hard drive to store certain types of information and help you stay organized. An external hard drive can be a wise investment for startup businesses that don't want to store information in the Cloud or on their computers' hard drives.

External hard drives can protect valuable and sensitive business data in the event of an accident, such as a fire. You can use these as back-up devices for certain types of data and even invest in a system with built-in locks and extra layers of security to prevent theft.

3. Wireless Router

Keep your office or workspace connected to the Internet wirelessly with a wireless router. A strong wireless connection can ensure high-speed connectivity to all linked computers and mobile devices. If you have a small space, keep in mind that working wirelessly will reduce the need for extra cables running in and around your office.

6. The three types of software required to support a company’s operations are  

Security Software:

The first thing you’ll need to know about security software is that you are in danger. Your data is being targeted by innumerable entities that are looking to steal it from you for their own gains. In fact, for every threat that is developed to breach network security, there has to be a solution created that mitigates it. This fact has led to a massive security market in which consumers, even the IT-savvy ones, are left overwhelmed and scratching their heads. Some threats include:

• Ransomware
• Phishing
• Viruses
• Malware
• Trojan horses and many more...

Some examples of security software include: Access control,Anti-virus etc..