Management Information System

Management Information System is one of the core subjects that I have to take in the first semester of my first degree in Human Resource Management. It is an interesting subject as it does not only require reading but also practically apply using the computer and the Internet. Basically we learn about managing information system that is related to our daily lives and business organizations. It includes the functions, types, ethics, privacy and security, as wells as the applications and issues of managing information system.

                According to the business dictionary, management information system is 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 data 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.

                Information systems are important for a variety of reasons. Information systems and information technologies are integral to our lives. The information systems field also offers many career opportunities. Basically, all functional areas in an organization utilize information systems. There are many examples of the ways in which information systems and technologies ease our lives such as registering for classes in student portal, access notes and do assignments on i-learn portal, conduct banking, pay bills, online-shopping, job searching and travel reservations. Apart from activities perform online, there are other examples of how IS and IT are essential to daily living. For example is using smartphone rather than a regular wireline telephone. Smartphone has a calendar, an address book, a calculator, a digital camera, and several types of software to download musics and movies. The phone also enables user to seamlessly use Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, to communicate by voice, email, instant messaging and text messaging. Other examples are blog and social sites such as facebook.

                Information technology offers career opportunities. Being knowledgeable about IT can improve the chances of employability. Information technology is vital to the modern businesses. The demand for IT staffs such as programmers, business and system analysts and designers are high. In addition, many well-paid jobs exist in emerging areas such as the Internet and e-commerce.

                Other than that, IT is used by all departments in an organization. IT systems are integral to every functional area of an organization. For example in accounting and finance, managers use IT systems to forecast the revenues and business activity whereas marketing managers use IT to manage their relationship with customers, doing promotional analysis and price analysis.

                In conclusion, information systems and information technologies are very essential in daily lives. It eases human activities as it helps human to manage their lives like managing the bank transactions. IT and IS makes humans live more manageable and easy as they can store unlimited information and able to be done with least energy and time.