Introduction
The growing trend of information system in an organization can not be avoided. Its popularity, need and advantages are progressing on a daily basis. Differences are being connected with each other through the modern development of information system.
Importance of Information System
Information technology has invaded the orthodox and obsolete system of paper work creating an ease for normal people working in an organization. It has reduced their work load and introduced proper and efficient line work for different departments. Organization purchases many software used worldwide in different companies and also get in-house software developed that is limited to a particular departmental need and adjusts into the requirement of it.
Imagine a news channel where work is done in a very fast pace, in coming of information, screening and sorting it out, getting them edited, capturing proper footages, stopping on air program to break the news to its viewers, having it run of the screen all this work will get haphazard in absence of an integrated system that maintains a systematize order.
Due to a centralized support mechanism the entire department can view and utilize information according to their need, requirements and working description. It diffuses all the hindrance that could have been created, because of decentralization and brought delay in the work.
Business Strategies
With the advancement of information technology all the daily routine work gets organized in a planned way. Information systems always assist a business strategy. There are matrices available that give pros and cons of any business deal. The decision obviously lies in the hands of higher management. It helps give a clear picture of any business plan that is either installed or being opted to be implemented.
The concept behind development of information system was to bring help in man work. They can be reshaped in any form or type to support business tactics. In my opinion it is purely driven by the nature of business strategy opted by an organization.
Financial Measures
Centralizing information system in any department can be very costly. It is very important to see if the expense being made for acquisition of any information technology is worth the price. These systems should be able to achieve all the objectives that are being set. If a company pays thousands of dollars and yet not be able to get the work done it will waste the entire investment being made.
A comparison must be made before installation of any information systems of expenses incurred in setting up these system and revenue generated due to these structures. Only incase of high revenue generation (which may include saving of papers and files, narrowing down of human power, expense of qualified staff required to operate these organism, fixed and variable cost) these systems should be inaugurated.
Few measures are very important to make an information system work in an organization. This may include task and project complexity, explaining the entire framework of the information system that is to be developed, flexibility of it in different environments, pilot test which could include having it test on different levels being implementing it, reliability of it, its implementation and period of validity (Lee, & Xia, 2002).
Conclusion
There are uncountable advantages of a centralized information system like creating centralized control between technologies and vendors and the ability to share information easily between departments (Kroenke & Hatch, 1994). Despite many criticisms, these systems have actually brought ease to work load which can never be neglected.
References
Kroenke, D. & Hatch, R. (1994). Management Information Systems, McGraw-Hill, Watsonville, CA, USA.
Lee, G. and Xia, W. (2005). Complexity of Information Systems Development Projects: Conceptualization and Measurement Development. Journal of Management Information Systems Volume 22 , Issue 1, Pages 45-83.