Introduction
There are four key phases of evolution of infrastructure. The stages include connection, communication, conversations and collaboration. The four stages are decisive in the management of knowledge. Information system is a vital asset in any organization since it enables the organization to boost its performance (Maier, 2011).
Connections
This stage enables anybody in the organization to connect to the network. Consequently, the employees can utilize diverse gadgets to access the data in the network. The data enable improvement of the organization since employees can make decisions based on credible information (Skyrme, 2004).
Communications
This phase of evolution encompasses establishment of an electronic distribution list. The stage establishes distribution lists and electronic meeting places.
These are vital facilities, which guarantee sharing, and synthesis of data. Additionally, this phase of evolution also limits the personnel that can access the data. Information is power; hence, it is vital to safeguard it. Consequently, this phase establishes the individuals that can access information amassed from the employees (Skyrme, 2004).
Conversations
This phase entails setting up of means that assist in making interpretations of the data. This stage enables the system to extort information from the data emanating from the workers. This vital phase enables extraction of information electronically from raw data that would elude the attention of analysts. This gives the organization an edge since it maximizes on the benefit of having data (Skyrme, 2004).
Collaboration
This phase adds further value to the data amassed. It does this by establishing collaborative tools. The tools enable the system to create knowledge based on the data amassed. This stage ensures that the organization maximizes on the data retained by the information system.
Importance of the phases
The knowledge worker information system (KWIS) aims at harnessing the information that employees possess. Organizations have acknowledged that harnessing employees’ information is decisive to the accomplishment of an entity. Consequently, organizations have set up such systems. However, for the system to realize the above objectives, it requires certain phases, which ensure it accomplishes the above goals.
The above stages begin by guaranteeing that workers can connect to the network. This implies that employees have access to the data. Secondly, the communication phase ensures that the right personnel have access to the information. Therefore, the second phase of evolution safeguards the data and only permits utilization by the appropriate personnel. The third stage seeks to extract more information electronically from the data.
Therefore, this juncture seeks to extract information from the raw data. Finally, the fourth phase utilizes collaborative tools to create additional information from what is already in existence. Overall, the stages are critical since they ensure the system does not only amass information but also optimizes the benefits of having the data.
Subsequently, the two initial stages create connections guaranteeing accessibility and safekeeping of the information. The two final phases seek to optimize the benefits of such information through extraction and creation of additional data. Conclusively, the stages are significant to the KWIS (Kappes & Thomas, 1993).
Contribution of the system to an entity
Currently, for an entity to succeed it is vital that it adds value to its product. Nonetheless, information is critical to value addition. Therefore, an entity will require to assemble information from it employees. Employees will provide a suitable avenue to amass such information.
Such information amassed from employees who undertake the daily operations of an entity enables the management to make certain strategic and tactical decisions. The management personnel denote knowledge workers whose duty is to appraise information. Decision-making at the administration level relies entirely on information availed by the employees. This discloses the significance of the above system.
The current economy requires entities to strategize appositely and adopt decisive tactical positions. This is because the business environment changes rapidly. Therefore, it is vital to assemble information from the employees since they interact with the clientele.
Gathering such information avails the management with details that allow the entity to add value to their products. Therefore, such information enables an entity to strategize and adopt ideal tactics in undertaking its operations (Pijpers, 2010).
Further discussion
Establishing worker knowledge system is a trend that many entities are opting to embrace. This has enabled entities to harness the knowledge that employees gather while undertaking the entity’s operations daily (Thorne & Pellant, 2007). This trend has enabled the organizations that have embraced it to reap certain benefits.
The KWIS has transformed organizations since it has enabled utilization of a critical asset that entities had ignored previously. Consequently, firms that have enacted the above system have surpassed their profitability targets since it has allowed the entities to boost the value in their products. Value addition has culminated in supplementary revenue.
The worker information system has proved a critical ingredient in the success of entities. Notably, the system has led to emergent of knowledge-oriented services. The services include customer care, market and distribution.
However, knowledge workers are vital to the development of this system. These workers presented the necessary information requisite for the operation of the system. Overall, the KWIS has enabled entities to boost their profitability (Davenport, 2005).
References
Davenport, T. (2005). Thinking for a living: how to get better performance and results. Massachusetts, MA: Harvard business press.
Kappes, S., & Thomas, B. (1993). A Model for knowledge worker information support. Web.
Maier, R. (2011). Knowledge Management Systems: Information and Communication Technologies for… New York, NY: Springer.
Pijpers, G. (2010). Information Overload: A System for Better Managing Everyday Data. New York, NY: Wiley Publishers.
Skyrme, D. (2004). From information management to knowledge management: Are you prepared?. Web.
Thorne, K., & Pellant, A. (2007). The essential guide to managing talent: how top companies recruit. Leicestershire,United Kingdom: Kogan Page Publishers.