SUCCESSFUL INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Successful Information Systems



Successful Information Systems

An information system is a combination of computer hardware, communication technology and software designed to handle information related to one or more business processes. Organisations today need to handle a vast amount of information and rely on information systems for day to day activities. The dependence on Information Systems is so vital that it can make or break an organisation.

An effective information system serves to actively coordinate the work of many different organisational functions, from the basic administration support, to a company's strategic management tool. It encapsulates and integrates a number of areas of business with an aim to increase efficiency and effectiveness of business practices. Hence importance must be given to designing, developing and maintaining the correct type of information system for a particular organisation which very much aligns with its business strategy (Avison, 2003, 23).

The purpose of this essay is to discuss how information systems and software applications relate to organizational departments, such as accounting, finance, and marketing. In the information age organizations must find ways to collect, process, store, analyze, and disseminate information. It is vital to the success of an organization to have an effective information system in place. With this system in place, the departments and members of the organization can effectively communicate and cope with vast amounts of information. Information systems offer a competitive advantage if used strategically.

The information system is the infrastructure that uses computer technology to aid in the completion of tasks. This information system is operated by software applications. Software applications, or application programs, is a computer program designed to support a specific task or business process

Within an organization, there are dozens of application programs that assist with the daily and routine functions of the organization. The collection of application programs, or information systems, in a single department is usually referred to as a departmental information system, or functional area information system For example, the collection of programs in the finance area of a department is called the financial information system. The financial information system is designed specifically to assist the financial department of an organization. In other words, this information system is designed especially for one specific department within an organization.

In addition to that information system, are two information systems that support the entire organization: enterprise resource planning systems and transaction processing systems?

Enterprise resource planning systems were created to close the ...