MODULE 1 - CASE

Module 1 - Case



Module 1 - Case

Introduction

An organizational information system exists because an organization exists. To achieve its purpose, an organization must (1) define the characteristics of goods and services to be provided, (2) deliver those goods and services to customers, and (3) manage, direct, coordinate, and control the organization and its resources. Information technology is pervasive in and vital to these three organizational objectives (Gorry, 2009). The objectives for an information system follow naturally from the organizational purposes:

Add functionality and information value to products and services. Information and information processing are important to the products and services provided by an organization, either incorporated in their functionality or as value added through information processing. Examples are information and communication functions designed into products such as automobiles or cellular phones and additional information provided to customers through online banking or investment services.

Support transaction and operational processes. Information, information processing, and communications are integral parts of the processes by which goods and services are provided by an organization. Information technology is vital in achieving quality, short cycle time, and efficiency in transaction processing and operational processes.

Support administrative and management activities. Information, communications, and information processing are essential to administrative and management activities of coordination and control. They are also fundamental to management analysis, decision making, and strategy formulation.

The Structure of an Organizational Information System

The structure of a management information system consists of a technical infrastructure, databases and other repositories, and a portfolio of application systems. The technical infrastructure provides information technology, databases and other repositories provide the data needed by the organization, and the application systems provide specific processing procedures and routines. The application systems can be classified logically (and sometimes physically) into transaction processing (q.v.), operations, and administrative and management support.

Technical infrastructure. This consists of computer and communications hardware, system software, and the repository management software. It provides processing, communications, and storage capabilities required by application software systems. It includes transaction networks, fax, telephony, and so forth. The infrastructure may contain a variety of technology configurations such as a centralized system, systems serving single locations or departments, and systems serving workgroups or single individuals.

Databases and other repositories. The repositories store data required for transactions, operations, analysis, decision making, explanations and justifications, and government/legal requirements. Repositories have varying scopes such as the entire enterprise, parts of the organization (divisions, offices, departments, etc.), groups, and individuals.

Transaction processing ...