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Introduction:
Information systems have become indispensable tools for digital firms,
playing a pivotal role in their success and growth. In the digital age, where
technology is at the forefront of business operations, information systems
provide the foundation for efficient processes, data-driven decision-making,
enhanced collaboration, and innovation. These systems enable digital firms
to leverage technology to their advantage and stay competitive in a rapidly
evolving marketplace.
By streamlining operations, information systems help digital firms optimize
their supply chain, manage customer relationships, and handle financial
transactions with ease and accuracy. They automate routine tasks, reduce
costs, and improve operational efficiency. Moreover, information systems
empower decision-makers with real-time data and advanced analytics,
enabling them to make informed choices that drive business growth and
adapt to market changes.
Digital firms
Digital firm definition
A digital firm is a company in which almost all significant business
relationships with customers, suppliers, and employees are digitally enabled
and automated.
This means that all the procedures relating to core business processes are
completed through the use of digital networks that cover the complete
organisation. These networks also link the organisation to other business
organisations and to the outside world.
Today, more than ever, large and small companies are working towards
becoming defined as fully digital firms. The changes in the world of
information technology have accelerated this tendency forward.
This is being done through close integration of information systems with
how business is done. Information technology systems, if properly designed
to cater to the company’s needs can be the main driver towards establishing
the fully digital firm.
Establish a strong IT governance and lay the foundation for everything IT,
we position ourselves as a virtual CIO as take care of design, operations and
innovation with a clearly defined mission and scope of work;
Identify the most suitable technology ecosystem for the organisation and
initiate the migration and adoption of the new digital tools;
Build of this foundation and develop the digital enterprise by making sure
every single process is digitised and automated.
As a result, mechanical work is eliminated, processes are automated,
productivity is enhanced and the human capital of the organisation has been
unleashed to deliver innovation and performance.
TPS
What Does Transaction Process System Mean?
A transaction process system (TPS) is an information processing system for
business transactions involving the collection, modification and retrieval of
all transaction data. Characteristics of a TPS include performance,
reliability and consistency.
Techopedia Explains Transaction Process System
A transaction process system and transaction processing are often
contrasted with a batch process system and batch processing, where many
requests are all executed at one time. The former requires the interaction of
a user, whereas batch processing does not require user involvement. In batch
processing the results of each transaction are not immediately available.
Additionally, there is a delay while the many requests are being organized,
stored and eventually executed. In transaction processing there is no delay
and the results of each transaction are immediately available. During the
delay time for batch processing, errors can occur. Although errors can occur
in transaction processing, they are infrequent and tolerated, but do not
warrant shutting down the entire system.
To achieve performance, reliability and consistency, data must be readily
accessible in a data warehouse, backup procedures must be in place and the
recovery process must be in place to deal with system failure, human failure,
computer viruses, software applications or natural disasters.
MIS
MIS Professionals Make Business Better
Businesses use information systems at all levels of operation to collect,
process, and store data. Management aggregates and disseminates this data
in the form of information needed to carry out the daily operations of
business. Everyone who works in business, from someone who pays the bills
to the person who makes employment decisions, uses information systems. A
car dealership could use a computer database to keep track of which
products sell best. A retail store might use a computer-based information
system to sell products over the Internet. In fact, many (if not most)
businesses concentrate on the alignment of MIS with business goals to
achieve competitive advantage over other businesses.
MIS professionals create information systems for data management (i.e.,
storing, searching, and analyzing data). In addition, they manage various
information systems to meet the needs of managers, staff and customers. By
working collaboratively with various members of their work group, as well
as with their customers and clients, MIS professionals are able to play a key
role in areas such as information security, integration, and exchange. As an
MIS major, you will learn to design, implement, and use business
information systems in innovative ways to increase the effectiveness and
efficiency of your company.
More Than Coding
A common misconception is that MIS only concerns coding (or writing
computer code). While coding concepts represent some of the fundamental
principles of information systems development, implementation, and use,
many jobs in MIS do not utilize coding at all. A large portion of the MIS
degree focuses on data analysis, teamwork, leadership, project management,
customer service, and underlying business theories. These aspects of the
degree are what set the MIS professional apart from a computer science
specialist.
Do you enjoy working with people?
Would you enjoy the chance to work on global problems with people from
all over the world?
Do you enjoy analyzing and solving problems?
Do you want to create innovative, cutting-edge technology solutions?
Do you want to learn how to make businesses more efficient, effective and
competitive?
Then you should consider as your major the field that is experiencing a
critical shortage of professionally trained individuals. A field where demand
is skyrocketing with projected growth rates of 38 percent – the fastest of any
business discipline (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
DSS
What is a Decision Support System (DSS)?
A decision support system (DSS) is an information system that aids a
business in decision-making activities that require judgment, determination,
and a sequence of actions. The information system assists the mid- and high-
level management of an organization by analyzing huge volumes of
unstructured data and accumulating information that can help to solve
problems and help in decision-making. A DSS is either human-powered,
automated, or a combination of both.
ESS
Ultimately, ESS reporting tools and results are contingent on developer and
industry application. For example, Cambridge Systematics, Inc. built an
ESS that is integrated with the investment plan for the Ministry of
Transportation in Canada. This ESS version includes features that contrast
the version used by Medical Information Technology, Inc. (MEDITECH).
Enterprise applications
ERP
ERP definition in detail
ERP stands for enterprise resource planning, but what does ERP mean? The
simplest way to define ERP is to think about all the core business processes
needed to run a company: finance, HR, manufacturing, supply chain,
services, procurement, and others. At its most basic level, ERP helps to
efficiently manage all these processes in an integrated system. It is often
referred to as the system of record of the organization.
Yet today’s ERP systems are anything but basic and have little resemblance
to the ERP of decades ago. They are now delivered via the cloud and use the
latest technologies – such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning
– to provide intelligent automation, greater efficiency, and instant insight
across the business. Modern cloud ERP software also connects internal
operations with business partners and networks around the world, giving
companies the collaboration, agility, and speed they need to be competitive
today.
Why is ERP important?
Sometimes described as “the central nervous system of an enterprise,”
an ERP software system provides the automation, integration, and
intelligence that is essential to efficiently run all day-to-day business
operations. Most or all of an organization’s data should reside in the ERP
system to provide a single source of truth across the business.
Finance requires an ERP to quickly close the books. Sales needs ERP to
manage all customer orders. Logistics relies on well-running ERP software
to deliver the right products and services to customers on time. Accounts
payable needs ERP to pay suppliers correctly and on time. Management
needs instant visibility into the company’s performance to make timely
decisions. And banks and shareholders require accurate financial records, so
they count on reliable data and analysis made possible by the ERP system.
Simpler IT: By using integrated ERP applications that share a database, you
can simplify IT and give everyone an easier way to work.
Utilities need to constantly review their capital assets, not only to meet
demand for future services but also for the replacement of aging assets.
Without ERP, the effort to prioritize these major asset investments would be
difficult and error prone. ERP also helps solve another critical utility
company issue: forecasting of spare parts. Not having the right parts during
an outage can create a significant customer service issue. On the other hand,
having too many spare parts means excessive costs and out-of-date stock.
For wholesalers, importers, direct store delivery, and 3PL/4PL firms, on-
time delivery is key. All of these organizations want to reduce distribution
costs, increase inventory turns, and shorten order-to-cash time. To achieve
these goals, they need integration of inventory management, purchasing,
and logistics functionality, as well as automated processes that are
customized to their needs.
Each ERP module typically focuses on one business area, but they work
together using the same data to meet the company’s needs. Finance,
accounting, human resources, sales, procurement, logistics, and supply
chain are popular starting points. Companies can pick and choose the
module they want and can add on and scale as needed.
Finance: The finance and accounting module is the backbone of most ERP
systems. In addition to managing the general ledger and automating key
financial tasks, it helps businesses track accounts payable (AP) and
receivable (AR), close the books efficiently, generate financial reports,
comply with revenue recognition standards, mitigate financial risk, and
more.
Service: In an ERP, the service module helps companies deliver the reliable,
personalized service customers have come to expect. The module can include
tools for in-house repairs, spare parts, field service management, and
service-based revenue streams. It also provides analytics to help service reps
and technicians rapidly solve customer issues and improve loyalty.
SCM
What is SCM (Supply Chain Management)?
At the most fundamental level, supply chain management (SCM) is
management of the flow of goods, data, and finances related to a product or
service, from the procurement of raw materials to the delivery of the
product at its final destination.
Although many people equate the supply chain with logistics, logistics is
actually just one component of the supply chain. Today’s digitally based
SCM systems include material handling and software for all parties involved
in product or service creation, order fulfillment, and information
tracking―such as suppliers, manufacturers, wholesalers, transportation
and logistics providers, and retailers.
Supply chain activities span procurement, product lifecycle
management, supply chain planning (including inventory planning and the
maintenance of enterprise assets and production lines), logistics (including
transportation and fleet management), and order management. SCM can
also extend to the activities around global trade, such as the management of
global suppliers and multinational production processes.
CRM
This is a simple definition of CRM.
Customer relationship management (CRM) is a technology for managing all
your company’s relationships and interactions with customers and potential
customers. The goal is simple: Improve business relationships to grow your
business. A CRM system helps companies stay connected to customers,
streamline processes, and improve profitability.
When people talk about CRM, they are usually referring to a CRM system, a
tool that helps with contact management, sales management, agent
productivity, and more. CRM tools can now be used to manage customer
relationships across the entire customer lifecycle,
spanning marketing, sales, digital commerce, and customer
service interactions.
A CRM solution helps you focus on your organization’s relationships with
individual people — including customers, service users, colleagues, or
suppliers — throughout your lifecycle with them, including finding new
customers, winning their business, and providing support and additional
services throughout the relationship.
Who is CRM for?
A CRM system gives everyone — from sales, customer service, business
development, recruiting, marketing, or any other line of business — a better
way to manage the external interactions and relationships that drive success.
A CRM tool lets you store customer and prospect contact information,
identify sales opportunities, record service issues, and manage marketing
campaigns, all in one central location — and make information about every
customer interaction available to anyone at your company who might need it.
With visibility and easy access to data, it's easier to collaborate and increase
productivity. Everyone in your company can see how customers have been
communicated with, what they’ve bought, when they last purchased, what
they paid, and so much more. CRM can help companies of all sizes drive
business growth, and it can be especially beneficial to a small business, where
teams often need to find ways to do more with less.
KMS
What is a knowledge management system?
Implicit knowledge
This is information customers need to infer from explicit knowledge. It
requires customers to interpret existing pieces of explicit knowledge as
described above, or general knowledge to create desired outcomes. For
example, how to combine software features to achieve a business need or
knowing a certain material is waterproof. Gather implicit knowledge by
documenting your customers' use cases and then explain how to combine
other knowledge to achieve them.
Tacit knowledge
This is knowledge coming from experience and typically requires a lot of
context and practice to acquire. It could be something like knowing
immediately what to do during an emergency or that a specific shoe brand
doesn't give you enough arch support. Tacit knowledge is hard to gather
because it is often specific and requires individual testing. Start by getting
specialists or senior members of your team together to disseminate complex
ideas and use that to build larger training content.
Bringing these all together: Explicit knowledge is knowing what apples,
cinnamon, flour, and sugar are. Implicit knowledge is knowing they can be
combined to make a pie. Tacit knowledge is knowing the exact combination of
the ingredients that makes the most delicious pie.
References:
https://exeo.net/en/digital-firm/#:~:text=A%20digital%20firm%20is
%20a,are%20digitally%20enabled%20and%20automated .
https://www.techopedia.com/definition/707/transaction-process-system-tps
https://classroom.google.com/c/NjI2OTg4MDU3NDc5/a/
NjM2NTQ2NDg3MDg2/details
https://www.techopedia.com/definition/543/executive-support-system-ess
https://www.techopedia.com/definition/24804/enterprise-application-ea
https://www.oracle.com/eg/scm/what-is-supply-chain-management/
https://www.salesforce.com/crm/what-is-crm/
https://www.freshworks.com/freshdesk/knowledge-management-system/