Intro to MIS ACSC345The Information Age in which We Live

Dr. Stephania Loizidou Himona

OverviewIntroductionWhat is MIS?IS and Decision MakingIS and TechnologyIS and BusinessMIS CareersIS Opportunities and Challenges

Computer Literacy

To err is human, but to really foul things up requires a computer

- Anonymous

What is MIS?Identifying the information that is needed for effective decision making in organizations

Developing information systems to satisfy those needs

What is MIS?In other words..

MIS is using technology to create business value.

What do MIS professionals do?BUSINESSTECHNOLOGYMISBridge the gap between business and technical minds

Information Systems (IS)

A set of interrelated components that collect (or retrieve), process, store, and distribute information to support decision making and control in an organization

Activities in an ISINPUTPROCESSOUTPUTFEEDBACK

IS and Decision Making

Managerial LevelsSenior managers: long-range strategic decisions about products and services

Middle managers: Carry out the programs and plans of senior management

Operational managers: monitor the firms daily activities

Data versus InformationTo make good decisions, accurate data can be transformed into information.

Information Processing CycleInput Process Output Storage(Data) (Information)

Data versus Information

Characteristics of GoodInformationSubjective ValueRelevantTimelyAccurateMeaningful FormatCompleteAccessible

IS and TechnologyHardware, software, databases, networks and other related componentsComputers and other technologies are used to build information systemsWhat technology should be used?

Information Systems inBusinessFunctional Areas of BusinessSales and MarketingManufacturing / ServiceFinance / AccountingHuman ResourceCross Functional

Widening Scope of IS

Careers in MISWhat does it take to succeed?SOFT SKILLSCommunicationTeamworkPatienceCreativityDecision MakingTECHNICAL SKILLSTechnical CuriosityProblem SolvingAnalyticalProgrammingSynthesisBUSINESS SKILLS!

Careers in MISProject Managers / CIOSystem DesignSoftware DesignInternetDatabaseNetwork / TelecommunicationsSystem Analyst

MIS Career Outlook GREAT! Pays well too!Network systems & data communications analysts - Computer software engineers, applications - Personal financial advisors- Financial analysts- Substance abuse and behavioral counselors

IS OpportunitiesIncrease worker productivityEnhance decision makingImprove team collaborationCreate business partnerships and alliancesEnhance global competitivenessSupport corporate strategyImprove quality of goods and servicesRapidly changing technology

IS ChallengesWorkforce downsizingInformation overloadEmployee mistrustDifficult to buildSecurity breachesRapidly changing technology