An information system (IS) - or application landscape[1] - is any combination of information

technology and people's activities using that technology to support operations, management, and
decision-making.[2] In a very broad sense, the term information system is frequently used to refer
to the interaction between people, algorithmic processes, data and technology. In this sense, the
term is used to refer not only to the information and communication technology (ICT) an
organization uses, but also to the way in which people interact with this technology in support of
business processes.[3]

Some make a clear distinction between information systems, and computer systems ICT, and
business processes. Information systems are distinct from information technology in that an
information system is typically seen as having an ICT component. Information systems are also
different from business processes. Information systems help to control the performance of
business processes.[4]

Alter argues for an information system as a special type of work system. A work system is a
system in which humans and/or machines perform work using resources (including ICT) to
produce specific products and/or services for customers. An information system is a work system
whose activities are devoted to processing (capturing, transmitting, storing, retrieving,
manipulating and displaying) information.[5]

Part of the difficulty in defining the term information system is due to vagueness in the definition
of related terms such as system and information. Following the pioneering work of
Ronald_Stamper, Beynon-Davies argues for a clearer terminology based in systemics and
semiotics. He defines an information system as an example of a system concerned with the
manipulation of signs. An information system is a type of socio-technical system. An
information system is a mediating construct between actions and technology.[6]

As such, information systems inter-relate with data systems on the one hand and activity systems
on the other. An information system is a form of communication system in which data represent
and are processed as a form of social memory. An information system can also be considered a
semi-formal language which supports human decision making and action.

Information systems are the primary focus of study for the information systems discipline and for
organisational informatics.[7]
A management information system (MIS) is a system that provides information needed to manage
organizations effectively.[1] Management information systems are regarded to be a subset of the overall
internal controls procedures in a business, which cover the application of people, documents,
technologies, and procedures used by management accountants to solve business problems such as
costing a product, service or a business-wide strategy. Management information systems are distinct
from regular information systems in that they are used to analyze other information systems applied in
operational activities in the organization.[2] Academically, the term is commonly used to refer to the
group of information management methods tied to the automation or support of human decision
making, e.g. Decision Support Systems, Expert systems, and Executive information systems.[2]

Over view

Initially in businesses and other organizations, internal reporting was made manually and only
periodically, as a by-product of the accounting system and with some additional statistic(s), and
gave limited and delayed information on management performance. Previously, data had to be
separated individually by the people as per the requirement and necessity of the organization.
Later, data was distinguished from information, and so instead of the collection of mass of data,
important and to the point data that is needed by the organization was stored.

Earlier, business computers were mostly used for relatively simple operations such as tracking
sales or payroll data, often without much detail. Over time, these applications became more
complex and began to store increasing amount of information while also interlinking with
previously separate information systems. As more and more data was stored and linked man
began to analyze this information into further detail, creating entire management reports from the
raw, stored data. The term "MIS" arose to describe these kinds of applications, which were
developed to provide managers with information about sales, inventories, and other data that
would help in managing the enterprise. Today, the term is used broadly in a number of contexts
and includes (but is not limited to): decision support systems, resource and people management
applications, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Supply Chain Management (SCM), Customer
Relationship Management (CRM), project management and database retrieval applications.

An 'MIS' is a planned system of the collection, processing, storage and dissemination of data in
the form of information needed to carry out the management functions. In a way, it is a
documented report of the activities that were planned and executed. According to Philip Kotler
"A marketing information system consists of people, equipment, and procedures to gather, sort,
analyze, evaluate, and distribute needed, timely, and accurate information to marketing decision
makers."[3]

The terms MIS and information system are often confused. Information systems include systems
that are not intended for decision making. The area of study called MIS is sometimes referred to,
in a restrictive sense, as information technology management. That area of study should not be
confused with computer science. IT service management is a practitioner-focused discipline.
MIS has also some differences with ERP which incorporates elements that are not necessarily
focused on decision support.
The successful MIS must support a business's Five Year Plan or its equivalent. It must provide
for reports based upon performance analysis in areas critical to that plan, with feedback loops
that allow for titivation of every aspect of the business, including recruitment and training
regimens. In effect, MIS must not only indicate how things are going, but why they are not going
as well as planned where that is the case. These reports would include performance relative to
cost centers and projects that drive profit or loss, and do so in such a way that identifies
individual accountability, and in virtual real-time.

Anytime a business is looking at implementing a new business system it is very important to use
a system development method such as System Development Life Cycle. The life cycle includes
Analysis, Requirements, Design, Development, Testing and Implementation.

[edit] Types of information management systems

There are many types of information management systems in the market that provide a wide
range of benefits for companies. Strategic information management system, customer relation
management systems and enterprise resource planning systems are some of them. The following
are some of the benefits that can be attained for different types of information management
systems.[4]

Advantages of information management systems (1) The company is able to highlight their
strength and weaknesses due to the presence of revenue reports, employee performance records
etc. The identification of these aspects can help the company to improve their business processes
and operations. (2) 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. (3) Information is considered to be an important asset for any company in the modern
competitive world. The consumer buying trends and behaviors can be predicted by the analysis
of sales and revenue reports from each operating region of the