Developing Business Information System Solutions



Developing Business Information System Solutions

Introduction

Business information systems are primarily defined as the systems incorporating people, business and information technology. These systems bring together both the information modules and business functions for developing effective communication channels that are necessary in taking accurate decisions and ultimately contribute to the competitiveness and productivity of the organization (Abe Akihiro, 2001). Finding solutions to the business information systems and selecting information system for any particular organization is a crucial task and requires skills, knowledge and experience, because every organization is having different work environment and different purpose of information systems, therefore the selection of information system requires complete knowledge about the business and work environment of the organization (Philip et al., 2010).

This report is submitted to the HireIT's directors; this report outlines the company's business information systems (BIS) requirements and also contains recommendations on the core systems that would meet business information systems (BIS) requirements.

Description

Main activities that the business undertakes

To find and recommend any business information system for the organization, it is necessary to first find that what are the main activities that the business undertakes are and in what sort of business organization is involved and what the work environment of that organization is.

EquipHire is basically a commercial and domestic equipment hire company, sales and hire system (HireIT) are also part of this organization. Almost 70% of the sales of this company are to the commercial sector that includes construction, engineering and building trades; company hires a variety of building and engineering tools. Home DIY sales are the fastest growing part of the business. The company finances most of its large plant with third parties, thus it needs to ensure high equipment utilization rates (i.e., sales) to service this financing.

Where in the business are the crucial decisions made

Taking crucial decisions is very important for any business, since it requires knowledge, skills and experience, and the decisions taken by any organization have a direct impact over the economics and the market value of the organization.

HireIT also have to take some crucial decisions, these include some important decisions like how much plant they should hold, in total and by location, to meet the demand for hire. Decision making is important in this regard because the demand for plant and equipment hire is seasonal and is also affected by fluctuating construction activity and the quality of equipment checking and maintenance is not steady enough to ensure good and satisfactory levels of ongoing repeat customer business.

Types of the information required by the business to operate successfully

The organization has to deal with various types of information to operate successfully; company uses spreadsheets on an ad hoc basis for the costing of large and long term hires. At present, the company is also facing problems to manage the inventory of plant for hire.

The information required by the business also includes the information related to their accounts and equipment maintenance, the business usually uses QuickBooks and access database for running accounts and equipment ...