ABSTRACT:
In order to show how the satellite data can be used within ski resort management, we decided to develop a Management Information System (MIS). A MIS is a computer system that facilitates
decision-making processes by making the problem of a ski manager more transparent. The system needs spatial data to (1) present the problem. (2) To show alternative solutions and (3) Feed models needed to assess economic and environmental impacts. Furthermore a special section on ‘Eco Labelling’, supplying information on future developments related to sustainable tourism, is implemented.
The ski area MIS integrates all the products created within the CARTESIAN project and thus provides: automatic access to a spatial CIS database containing e.g. remote sensing- and topographic information, a Management Evaluation tool based on MCA (Multi Criteria Analysis) and advanced 3D visualization tools to provide pre recorded 3D animation’s of the ski-resorts.
The MIS can be used in several ways. In the first place, as an instrument to support communication between stakeholders involved in a process dealing with {ski resort) management. Typically, the MIS can be used in a workshop, showing management options (e.g. ‘choose the best Olympic site’ or ‘stimulate eco-tourism’) and their impacts on several criteria such as environment and economic benefits. Secondly, the MIS can be used by an engineer as a stand-alone application for calculating the effects of constructing a ski lift. The MIS provides information on costs and environmental effects. Thirdly, the MIS is a clear marketing tool with 3D animations showing the resort from different viewpoints. In order to develop the MIS, we defined three case study areas each representing a particular management issue of a ski resort. are the MIS specialization areas? What emphases exist within the WIIS program?
Indiana University’s Master of Information Science (MIS) program combines the opportunity to explore the field of information science within four broad themes:
1 Information Architecture and Design
2 Human-Computer Interaction and Communication
3. Strategic Information Management and Leadership
4- Information Retrieval Systems Design
The program provides a great number of electives, allowing you to individualize your study. Each student is assigned a faculty adviser to help with course and career planning.
INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE
The user-centered approach to Information Science at Indiana University distinguishes SLIS’s Information Architecture from other programs. While taking courses from within this area, you will investigate information architecture as a social and technological phenomenon, focusing on the ways in which organizations are making use of electronic information networking, and the impacts that networking is having on communication activities, productivity, and information seeking behavior.
Effective organizational principles derived from established data modeling and indexing schemes will be taught with an emphasis on support for navigation and information searching tasks.
For further reading in Information Architecture and Design, Professor Howard Rosenbaurn”s presentation “Fun with Information Architecture: Designing Web Sites that Work” may be of interest.
DEFINITION
An organized approach to the study of the information needs of an organization’s management at every level in making operational, tactical, and strategic decisions. Its objective is to design and implement procedures, processes, and routines that provide suitably detailed reports in an accurate, consistent, and timely manner. In a management Information system, modern, computerized systems continuously gather relevant data, both from inside and outside an organization. This data is then processed, integrated, and stored in a centralized database (or datg_warehouse) where it is constantly updated and made available to all who have the authority to access it, in a form that suits their purpose.
A management information system (MIS) provides information that organizations need to manage themselves efficiently and effectively. Management information systems are not only computer systems. These systems encompass three primary components: technology, people (individuals, groups, or organizations), and data (information for decision making). Management information systems are distinct from other information systems, in that they are used to analyze and facilitate strategic and operational activities.12-1 Academically, the term is commonly used to refer to the study of how individuals, groups, and organizations evaluate, design, implement, manage, and utilize systems to generate information to improve efficiency and effectiveness of decision making, including systems termed decision support systems, expert systems, and executive information systems.121 Most business schools (or colleges of business administration within universities) have an MIS department, alongside departments of accounting, finance, management, marketing, and sometimes others, and grant degrees (at undergrad, masters, and PhD levels) in MIS.
A management information system gives the business managers the information that they need to make decisions. Early business computers were used for simple operations such as tracking inventory, billing, sales, or payroll data, with little detail or structure. Over time, these computer applications became more complex, hardware storage capacities grew, and technologies improved for connecting previously isolated applications. As more data was stored and linked, managers sought greater abstraction as well as greater detail with the aim of creating significant management reports from the raw, stored data. Originally, the term “MIS” described applications providing managers with information about sales, inventories, and other data that would help in managing the enterprise. Over time, the term broadened to include: decision support systems, resource management and human resource management, enterprise resource planning (ERP), enterprise performance management (EPM), supply chain management (SCM), customer relationship management (CRM), project management and database retrieval applications.
An MIS supports a business’ long range plans, providing reports based upon performance analysis in areas critical to those plans, with feedback loops that improve guidance for every aspect of the enterprise, including recruitment and training, MIS not only indicates how various aspects of a business are performing, but also why and where. MIS reports include near-real-time performance of cost centers and projects with detail sufficient for individual accountability.
HISTORY
Kenneth and Jane Laudon identify five eras of MIS evolution corresponding to five phases in the development of computing technology: 1) mainframe and minicomputer computing, 2) personal computers, 3) client/server networks, 4) enterprise computing, and 5) cloud computing.151
The first (mainframe and minicomputer) era was ruled by IBM and their mainframe computers; these computers would often take up whole rooms and require teams to run them – IBM supplied the hardware and the software. As technology advanced these computers were able to handle greater capacities and therefore reduce their cost. Smaller, more affordable minicomputers allowed larger businesses to run their own computing centers in-house.
The second (personal computer) era began in 1965 as microprocessors started to compete with
mainframes and minicomputers and accelerated the process of decentralizing computing power from large data centers to smaller offices. In the late 1970s minicomputer technology gave way to personal computers and relatively low cost computers were becoming mass market commodities, allowing businesses to provide their employees access to computing power that ten years before would have cost tens of thousands of dollars. This proliferation of computers created a ready market for interconnecting networks and the popularization of the Internet.
As technological complexity increased and costs decreased, the need to share information within an enterprise also grew—giving rise to the third (client/server) era, in which computers on a common network access shared information on a server. This lets thousands and even millions of people access data simultaneously. The fourth (enterprise) era enabled by high speed networks, tied all aspects of the business enterprise together offering rich information access encompassing the complete management structure.
The fifth and latest (cloud computing) era of information systems employs networking technology to deliver applications as well as data storage independent of the configuration, location or nature of the hardware. This, along with high speed cellphone and wjfi networks, led to new levels of mobility in which managers access the MIS remotely with laptops, tablet PC’s, and smartphones.
TERMINOLOGY
The terms MIS, Information system, ERP and, information technology management are often confused. Information systems and MIS are broader categories that include ERP. Information technology management concerns the operation and organization of information technology resources independent of their purpose.
Kenneth and Jane Laudon identify five eras of MIS evolution corresponding to five phases in the development of computing technology: 1) mainframe and minicomputer computing, 2) personal computers, 3) client/server networks, 4) enterprise computing, and 5) cloud computing.151
The first (mainframe and minicomputer) era was ruled by IBM and their mainframe computers; these computers would often take up whole rooms and require teams to run them – IBM supplied the hardware and the software. As technology advanced these computers were able to handle greater capacities and therefore reduce their cost. Smaller, more affordable minicomputers allowed larger businesses to run their own computing centers in-house.
The second (personal computer) era began in 1965 as microprocessors started to compete with mainframes and minicomputers and accelerated the process of decentralizing computing power from large data centers to smaller offices. In the late 1970s minicomputer technology gave way to personal computers and relatively low cost computers were becoming mass market commodities, allowing businesses to provide their employees access to computing power that ten years before would have cost tens of thousands of dollars. This proliferation of computers created a ready market for interconnecting networks and the popularization of the Internet.
As technological complexity increased and costs decreased, the need to share information within an enterprise also grew—giving rise to the third (client/server) era, in which computers on a common network access shared information on a server. This lets thousands and even millions of people access data simultaneously. The fourth (enterprise) era enabled by high speed networks, tied all aspects of the business enterprise together offering rich information access encompassing the complete management structure.
The fifth and latest (cloud computing) era of information systems employs networking technology to deliver applications as well as data storage independent of the configuration, location or nature of the hardware. This, along with high speed cellphone and wjfi networks, led to new levels of mobility in which managers access the MIS remotely with laptops, tablet PC’s, and smartphones.
TYPES
Most management information systems specialize in particular commercial and industriai sectors, aspects of the enterprise, or management substructure.
• Management information systems (MIS), per se, produce fixed, regularly scheduled reports based on data extracted and summarized from the firm’s underlying transaction processing
systems141 to middle and operational level managers to identify and inform structured and semi-structured decision problems.
• Decision support systems (DSS) are computer program applications used by middlemanagement to compile information from a wide range of sources to support problem solving and
decision making.
• Executive information systems (EIS) is a reporting tool that provides quick access to summarized reports coming from all company levels and departments such as accounting, human resources
and operations.
• Marketing information systems are MIS designed specifically for managing the marketing aspects of the business.
• Office automation systems (OAS) support communication and productivity in the enterprise by automating work flow and eliminating bottlenecks. OAS may be implemented at any and all levels
of management.
• School management information systems (MIS) cover school administration, and often including teaching and learning materials.
ADVANTAGES
The following are some of the benefits that can be attained for different types of management information systems.13
• Companies are able to highlight their strengths and weaknesses due to the presence of revenue reports, employees’ performance record etc. The identification of these aspects can help the company improve their business processes and operations.
• Giving an overall picture of the company and acting as a communication and planning tool.
• The availability of the customer data and feedback can help the company to align their business processes according to the needs of the customers. The effective management of customer data can help the company to perform direct marketing and promotion activities.
• Information is an important asset for any company in the modern competitive world. The
consumer buying trends and behaviours can be predicted by the analysis of sales and revenue
reports from each operating region of the company.
ENTERPRISE APPLICATIONS
• Enterprise systems—also known as enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems—provide integrated software modules and a unified database that personnel use to plan, manage, and control core business processes across multiple locations. Modules of ERP systems may include finance, accounting, marketing, human resources, production, inventory management, and distribution.
• Supply chain management (SCM) system
s enable more efficient management of the supply chain by integrating the links in a supply chain. This may include suppliers, manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, and final customers.
• Customer relationship management (CRM) systems help businesses manage relationships with potential and current customers and business partners across marketing, sales, and service.
• Knowledge management system (KMS) helps organizations facilitate the collection, recording,organization, retrieval, and dissemination of knowledge. This may include documents, accounting records, unrecorded procedures, practices, and skills.
DEVELOPING INFORMATION SYSTEMS
“The actions that are taken to create an information system that solves an organizational problem are called system development”.1 These include system analysis, system design, prog ramming/implementation, testing, conversion, production and finally maintenance. These actions usually take place in that specified order but some may need to repeat or be accomplished concurrently.
Conversion is the process of changing or converting the old system into the new. This can be done in three basic ways, though newer methods (prototyping, Extreme Programming, JAD, etc.) are replacing these traditional conversion methods in many cases:
• Direct cut – The new system replaces the old at an appointed time.
• Pilot study — Introducing the new system to a small portion of the operation to see how it fares. If good then the new system expands to the rest of the company.
• Phased approach – New system is introduced in stages.
External links
Management information systems (MIS) is an organized approach to gathering information from company operations and making a strategic management decision. Developing quality characteristics for gathering information is essential to making solid management decisions. The main qualities of good management information system are:
1. Relevance: Information should be relevant to the strategic decision that company management is currently reviewing. Because companies may review several business opportunities at one time, avoiding information not relating to the decision is essential
2. Accuracy: MIS information should be accurate and avoid any inclusions of estimates or probable costs. Making decisions based on estimates can lead to cost overruns or lower profits from future operations.
3. Timely: Many management decisions are based on information from a certain time period, such as quarterly or annual periods. Information outside of the requested time frame may skew information and lead to an improperly informed decision.
4. Exhaustive: MIS information gathering should resemble an upside-down triangle. The early stages of information gathering should be exhaustive, including all types of company information. As management narrows its decision-making process, the information is refined to include only the most relevant pieces.
5. Cost-Effective: The MIS needs to be a cost-effective and efficient system for gathering information. Most of these systems are developed internally, creating costs that cannot be passed to clients.
HUMAN-COMPUTER INTERACTION AND COMMUNICATION
Human Computer Interaction (HCI) is a multidisciplinary field concerned with the design, development and implementation of information technology that is compatible with the needs of users and organizations. Usability is a part of HCI, but HCI is much larger. In the MIS program, you will study the process of interaction in order to inform the theory and practice of user-centered systems design. The goal of the field is to shape new media and tools that will support human use, augment human learning, enhance communication and lead to more acceptable technological developments at the individual and the social levels.
This specialization provides students with knowledge of the variables likely to influence usability and acceptability of information technology. Sociological and psychological perspectives will be examined alongside systems design principles to offer a rich and more complete way of assessing how users collaborate and communicate using computing tools. Also, this area provides students with exposure to systems and techniques that expand the possibilities of information acquisition and sharing in new or innovative ways.
For further reading in Human Computer Interaction and Communication, Professor Mark Notess” article “Usability. User Experience, and Learner Experience ” may be of interest.
Human Factors Engineer Usability Analyst User Experience Engineer Business Analyst User Experience Tester
Information resources include an organization’s capital information assets, its network capabilities, and materials held in information centers and archives. Organizational information assets also include human and structural intellectual capital. Social intelligence expands the study of strategic management into new contexts, to cover the processes whereby a society, organization or individual acquires information in the widest sense, processes and evaluates it, and stores and uses it for action. The MIS program’s focus on strategic information management and leadership will prepare you to integrate internal information and external intelligence in support of organizational goals and objectives.
This specialization introduces key models and methodologies in social informatics to help managers take advantage of information resources. It examines various aspects of the information industry: products, producers, suppliers, trends, and market opportunities. This area surveys social consequences of computerization as shaped and used by business, public agencies, and individuals. And, it provides orientation and training in supervision of project teams involved in complex system design projects.
For additional readings in Strategic Information Management and Leadership, the Association of Information Management Professionals.. (ARMA) Website or Communications of the ACM might be of interest.
INFORMATION RETRIEVAL SYSTEMS DESIGN
Information Retrieval Systems Design concentrates on understanding any information system from an information science perspective; that is, as a whole constituted of data, procedures, equipment, and system users. You will learn principles and methodologies for information systems design, with a special emphasis on user-centric planning, project management, system maintenance, and lifecycle issues. Additionally, you will learn about broader societal and organizational factors that influence design and can ultimately influence the effectiveness of information systems.
For further reading in Information Retrieval Systems Design, the literature review on Professor Kiduk Yang’s homepage may be of interest.
References
http://www.occ.qov/publications/pubiications-by-tvDe/comptrollers-handbook/mis.pdf 2 A 3 _ O’Brien, J (1999). Management Information Systems – Managing Information Technology in the Intemetworked Enterprise. Boston: Irwin McGraw-Hill. ISBN 0-07-112373-3.
Laudon, Kenneth C.; Laudon, Jane P. (2009). Management Information Systems:
Managing the Digital Firm (11 ed.). Prentice Hall/CourseSmart. p. 164.
Transaction processing systems (TPS) collect and record the routine transactions of an organization. Examples of such systems are sales order entry, hotel reservations, payroll, employee record keeping, and shipping.
Pant, S., Hsu, C., (1995), Strategic Information Systems Planning: A Review, Information Resources Management Association International Conference, May 21-24, Atlanta.
Laudon, K.,&Laudon, J. (2010). Management information systems: Managing the digital firm. (11th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.
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