Maintaining a Competitive Advantage Using Information System Integration
There are many ways that a business can develop and maintain a competitive advantage in the commercial marketplace, but few have as much impact as the use of computerized information systems. The types of systems being used today are able to increase production and improve the way individuals communicate between different departments. Although many companies have been resistant to the idea of integrating modern technology into their operations, few will deny that technology has quickly become a necessary aspect of effect business growth. As more and more companies begin to utilize information systems to improve operations, few will be able to continue using the obsolete systems of the past.
One of the most widely used types of information systems is referred to as a decision support system. This type of computer network is designed to populate data that it collects from database warehouses, digital documents, data marts, and manual input in order to provide individuals with a more informed decision-making process. Decision support systems can be very basic in nature providing only enough insight to reinforce a decision or they can be highly complex and capable of creating their own set of recommended actions. The price tag and expertise that is required is usually directly correlated with the complexity of the system that a company decides to integrate.
The basic decision support systems are commonly referred to as passive systems because they are simply manipulating data without subjecting it to any type of business model. A passive system is most useful for solving fairly simple problems. The more complex systems are usually either referred to as active or cooperative. An active system is one that provides recommended courses of action, but does not allow users to manipulate and resubmit data for further evaluation. A cooperative system does everything that an active one does, but it allows users to resubmit manipulated data for further evaluation. The system that a company decides to use should reflect the complexity and importance of the objective that it is meant to accomplish.
When integrating new technology into an operational process, it is important for businesses to anticipate the types of problems that they could encounter so that operational interruptions can be kept to a minimum. Because few experienced administrators have specialized training in the technical aspects of computer systems, it has become increasingly important for company leaders to recruit individuals who are familiar with modern technology and who have the skills required to critically evaluate how technology should be applied to specific business problems. Professionals who are capable of managing new technology and overseeing administrative teams are in very high demand and are able to command extremely competitive salaries.
In response to the technology needs of the business community, many colleges and universities across the United States have taken the initiative to develop a new type of business administration degree that includes basic computer science courses. This new educational track is most commonly referred to as the Management Information Systems (MIS) Degree. Individuals who graduate from an MIS Degree Program are highly qualified to use their knowledge of technology to help companies remain competitive and continually improve both production and profitability.
