INFORMATION SYSTEMS PLANNING

INFORMATION SYSTEMS PLANNING

INFORMATION SYSTEMS PLANNING

Introduction

Today most organizations recognized information technology's power to reduce costs. By effectively using information technology, companies have increased efficiencies in their management and operations. These efficiencies often lead to an increase in the fiscal bottom line, which is a benefit for the shareholders of the corporation. The technology tools used most often encompass information system.

Information system has a positive impact on the economy and productivity of organizations in the private sector. Technology gains have allowed organizations to keep a competitive edge over their rivals, develop new products and services, realize substantial increases in output and productivity, and ultimately provide fiscal savings.

Discussion and analysis

The information system provides information on the past, present and project future and on relevant events inside and outside the organization. It may be defined as a planned and integrated system for gathering relevant data, converting it in to right information and supplying the same to the concerned executives. The main purpose of information is to provide the right information to the right people at the right time.

The Concept of information systems originated in the 1960s and become the byword of almost all attempts to relate computer technology and systems to data processing in business. During the early 1960s, it became evident that the computer was being applied to the solution of business problem in a gradually fashion, focusing almost entirely on the computerization of clerical and record - keeping tasks. The concepts of information systems were developed to counteract such in efficient development and in effective use of the computer. (Ciborra, 1994, p. 193)

Effective information systems are needed by all business organization because of the increased complexity and rate of change of today's business environment. For Example, Marketing manager need information about sales performance and trends, financial manger need information about sales and cost, production managers needs information for analyzing resources requirement and worker productivity and personnel manager require information concerning employee compensation and professional development. Thus, information systems must be developed to provide modern managers with the specific marketing, financial, production and personnel information products they required to support their decision making responsibilities. (Earl, 1999, p.200)

Info system planning in public and private sector

The use of information system in the public sector has been developed in two dimensions: office automation and information systems. The first dimension (i.e., office automation) aspires to raise efficiency and productivity of office business; while the second aims at organizing and utilizing information to support administration and management, as well as policy development and decision making, so as to improve effectiveness, efficiency, and productivity of an organization as a whole.

Government is the largest user of information system in many countries. In many developing countries, the government is the predominant consumer of information technology products. Many of the IT use are well-known - taxation, customs, and financial management, statistics and census data gathering, elections, development planning, health, education and welfare, social security, land management and agriculture.

Organizational Capacity

When looking at organizational capacity, there are three main investments ...