12 - Finance and IT Flashcards
2 general roles of info systems in orgs:
- Supporting ops: processing & storing of transactions
2. Supporting managerial activities: decision making, planning, performance measurement & control
Why do orgs need info sustems?
So they can capture and generate info managers need for planning, control and decision mkaing.,
Another role info systems play…(4)
Improve comms, better ops & manu, enhance products/services & provide ops to reduce costs.
The collective roles of info systems can be known as…
knowledge mgmt
Info systems aim to convert what into what into what?
Data –> info –> knowledge
Data vs info
Data = raw facts and figures Info = processed, organised data that has some valiue.
Define knowledge (over data & info)
An application of a cognitive process such that it becomes useful - something you know, understand and can exploit for gain.
Tacit knowledge =
Knowledge the org has but is UNAWARE of or UNABLE TO USE.
Explicit knowledge =
Knowledge an org has, is aware of and able to exploit.
How does knowledge mgmt relate to tacit vs explicit knowledge?
Knowledge mgmt uses info systems to help org collect, store, process and share knowledge so it goes from tacit –> explicit.
3 e.g. of IT systems that CREATE info & knowledge
- Transaction processing
- Knowledge work systems
- Office automation systems
Some examples of IT systems that SHARE info & knowledge (7 total)
- Mgmt info systems
- Decision support systems
- Enterprise wide systems
- Expert systems
- Executive info systems
- Knowledge mgmt systems
- CRM systems
Define Transaction processing systems (TPS)
TPS perform and record routine transactions that must be processed for ops to continue. Support most bis functions in most orgs.
Major function of TPS for sales/marketing
Sales mgmt
Market research
Promotion pricing: pricing systems
New products
Major function of TPS for Ops
scheduling: MRP systems
purchasing
shipping/receiving
quality control
Major function of TPS for finance
Budgeting
GL
Mgmt accounting
Major function of TPS for HR
Personnel records
Benefits & salaries
Training
Labour relations
Knowledge work systems =
KWSs facilitate the creation and integration of new knowledge into org. Tacit to explicit.
How do KWSs compare to TPSs?
KWSs 1 level above TPSs - help create info, not just record routine transactions.
Knowledge workers = + egs
People whose jobs primarily invovle creating new info and knowledge. Often part of a profession e.g. doctor, lawyer, engineer, scientist.
3 examples of KWSs
- Computer aided design
- Computer aided manu
- Specialised finance software that analyses trading situations.
Office automation systems (OAS) =
Computer systems designed to increase prod of data and info workers. Support major activities performed in any office such as document mgmt, facilitating comms and managing data.
Give 3 examples of OASs
- Word/excel/ppt software
- Email, videoconferencing, intranet
- Digital filing system
Management info systems (MIS) =
Convert data from mainly internal sources into info e.g. summary reports. Enables mgrs to make timeley & effective decisions for planning, directing and controlling the activities they’re responsible for.
How do MISs use TPSs?
MISs transform data from underlying TPSs into summarised files that are used as basis for mgmt reports. Provide regular reports and access to current & historical perf.
5 characteristics of MISs
- Support structured decisions @ op & mgmt levels
- Report on existing ops
- Little analytical capability
- Inflexible
- Internal focus
structured vs unstructured decisions
Structured = routine, well-define method for finding a solution (could be automated based on logic) Unstructured = rely on judgement, expertise, eval and insight.
Decision support systems (DSSs) =
Combine data & analytical models or data analytics tools to support semi-structured & unstructured decision making.
Therefore, big diff between MISs & DSSs
MISs = support structured decisions DSSs = support semi-structured/unstructured
Why do DSSs need human intervention?
Because not structured decisions = not solely based on logic, high degree of uncertainty.
2 pros of DSS in helping decision making
- Provide wide range analytical tools with emphasis on flexibility & user friendliness
- More analytical power than other systems so can analyse large volumes of data.
What is the objective of DSSs?
Allow mgrs to consider a number of alternatives and evaluate them under a variety of potential conditions since decisions not structured so not one method to follow.
Executive Info systems (EIS) =
Pool data from internal & external sources to make info available to senior mgrs in an easy to use form.
What type of decisions to EIS help with?
Strategic, unstructured decisions.
3 sources of data feeding into EIS
- Internal MISs
- Internal DSSs
- External e.g. competitors, legislation, external databases like Reuters.
Another name for EIS
Executive support systems (ESSs)
3 key features of EIS/ESS
- Flexibility
- Quick response time
- Sophisticated data analysis and modelling tools.
Expert systems =
A form of DSS that allow users to benefit from expert knowledge and info.
Expert systems consist of…
a database holding specialised data with rules about what to do in or how to interpret a given set of circumstances.
What system are expert systems a form of?
DSSs
5 conditions to be able to use an expert system (relating to types of problems they can solve, cost of system etc.)
- Problem reasonably well-defined
- Expert can define rules by which problem can be solved
- Problem cannot be solved by conventional transactional processing or data handling
- Expert can be allowed to work on more difficult problems (savings from systems doing the work)
- Investment in expert system cost justified
How can an expert system help process loan applications?
User enters key facts info database, check facts against database, performs calcs & match up against other criteria set –> suggest a decision.
Enterprise wide systems =
Designed to coord all bis functions, resources and info, wherever they are geographically. Central database that function-specific systems feed into.
2 pros of enterprise wide sytems
- Can update data real time
2. Reliable
Give 1 eg of enterprise wide system
Enterprise resource planning (ERP) system.
Knowledge mgmt systems (KMSs) =
Record and store KL held in an org. Help tacit –> explicit KL. Info easily accessed and shared.
4 examples of info held on KMS
Facts, solutions to problems, legislation, intellectual property.
KMSs are of most benefit to what type of org?
Knowledge based orgs as their info is best suited to storing and sharing on database,
4 pros of KMSs
- Valuable data preserved & not lost
- Easily shared
- data duplication avoided
- Employees can be trained quicker
CRM systems =
Software apps specialising in providing info concerning org’s products, services and customer info such as order history, personal details, any feedback.
5 pros of CRM systems
- Personalised service
- Swift reply to queries
- Increase motivation of customer-facing staff as properly equipped
- Customer retention & loyalty as better understand them
- Better targeted marketing
“IT as an enabler of transformation” refers to…?
IT being a driving force or trigger for org change. Even when not a significant factor in actual change, important part in change mgmt process.
5 benefits IT can bring to org
- New bis ops
- Improve productivity & perf
- Comp adv
- Enable structural change (e.g. WFH)
- Bring congruency to corp goals
Role of IT in change: type of product/service
Technological change may affect many products e.g. what materials used to create them.
Role of IT in change: way in which products made (CAD/CAM/CID)
CAD = create designs which can be quickly amended. CAM = software to control machine tools. CIM = computers control production process.
Role of IT in change: way employees are mobilised
Encourages delaying of org & greater workforce empowerment. Enable hot-desking and WFH.
Role of IT in change: way services are provided.
e-commerce - sell products/services over internet.
Role of IT in change: enabling change example
Tech enabling airline fares can be quickly compared and booked has increased competition.
Role of IT in change: comms & coord
Email, project mgmt software, intranet, microsoft teams etc.
Role of IT in change: source of unit & structure
In times of restructing, info systems can be visible sign of new situation - encourages acceptance and evidence of change.
3 things IT must enable virtual teams to do to be effective
- Share info and tasks
- Make join decisions
- Fulfil the collaborative function of the team
2 types of tech helping virtual working
- Web-based databases to access and share info
2. Electronic meeting sites
6 cons of virtual teams
- Difficult to form a team (trust & bond)
- Knowledge sharing: aspects of comms lost
- Harder to set clear decision-making goals
- Harder to lead a team (time diff etc.)
- Cultural diff
- Morale affected by isolation