MIS Structure

Unit 2
 Structure of MIS
There is no standard or universally
accepted framework for MIS.
Thus, Structure of MIS may be described
by following a variety of different
approaches:
Physical Components,
Information System Processing Functions,
Decision Support,
Levels of Management Activities, and
Organizational Functions
Based on Physical Components

Structure of MIS may e understood by

looking at the physical components of the
information system in an organization.
These components can be:
Hardware
Software
Database
Procedures
Operating Personnel
Input & Output
Based on Physical Components

Hardware:
The physical data processing equipment and peripheral
devices.
For example, CPU, Monitor, Keyboard, Mouse, Printer,
etc.
Software:
Instructions that direct the operation of the hardware.
Software could be of two types, system software and
application software.
Database:
Consists of all the data utilized by application software.
Data is stored in files.
Based on Physical Components

Procedures:
Formal operating procedures required to operate a
system.
Such as manuals, documentation, etc.
Operating Personnel:
Personnel like computer operators, programmers,
system managers, etc.
Input & Output
Various physical inputs & outputs from the
information system existing in the form of
printouts, reports, etc.
Based on Information System
Processing Functions
Structure of an information system may
also be understood in terms of its
processing functions.
The functions of an MIS explain what the
system does.
The main processing functions of an
information system are discussed as
follows.
Based on Information System
Processing Functions
To Process Transactions:
Transaction may be defined as an activity taking place
in an organization.
For example, making a purchase or a sale or
manufacturing a product.
It may be within the organization or may be external in
nature.
File

Transaction Process Transaction Document

Based on Information System
Processing Functions
To Maintain Master Files:
A master file stores relatively permanent or historical
data about organizational entities.
For example, data needed to prepare an employee’s
salary like basic pay, allowances, deductions, etc.

Master File

Transaction Data
Updating
Master File Changes
Updated Master File
Based on Information System
Processing Functions
To Produce Reports:
Reports are significant products of information systems.
Many reports are produced on regular basis, called as
scheduled reports.
The reports may also be ad hoc reports which are
produced on request.

File

Prepare
Report
Reports
Based on Information System
Processing Functions
To Process Enquiries:
An information system always processes queries.
For this purpose, it uses its database.
These may be regular enquiries with pre-defined format
or ad hoc enquiries.

Handle
Enquiry Enquiry Response
Enquiry
Based on Information System
Processing Functions
To Process Interactive Support Applications:
The information system contains certain applications designed
to support systems for:
Planning,
Analysis, and
Decision-Making

Various types of models are used for processing such

applications
The mode of operation is interactive in which the user responds
to questions, requests for data and receives the results.

Model
Decision Model
Decision-Maker Input/
Processing
Output
Based on Decision Support
Decisions vary with respect to the structure that
can be provided.
A highly structured decision can be pre-planned,
whereas a highly unstructured decision cannot.
A structured decision may also be said to be
programmable, routine, and frequently repeated.
An unstructured decision is said to be non-
programmable, irregular, and occurs with less
frequency.
Information systems support fits easily into this
classification.
Based on Levels of
Management Activities
Structure of an information system can be
categorized in term of levels of management
activities.
Strategic Planning Level,
Management Control Level, and
Operational Control Level.
Strategic planning:
Deals with long range considerations
These decisions include the choice of business
directions, market strategy, product mix, etc.
Based on Levels of
Management Activities
Management Control Level:
Includes acquisition & organization of resources,
structuring of work, and acquisition & training of
personnel.
Operational control:
Is related to short term decisions for current operations.

Pricing, production level, inventory, etc. are a result of

operational control activities
Based on Levels of
Management Activities
These activities and information processing are
interrelated.
For example,
Inventory control at operational level depends on accurate
processing of transactions at the level of management
control.
Decisions made about safety stock and reorder frequency are
dependent on the correct summarization of results of
operations.
At the strategic level, results in operations & management
control are related to strategic objectives, to arrive at
inventory strategy.
Based on Organizational
Functions
Though there is no standard classification of functions
in an organization, a typical set of functions may
include:
Production,
Sales and Marketing,
Finance & Accounting,
Materials, and
Personnel information
Functions.
Each of these has unique information needs and
requires a system designed specifically to fulfill them.
 Organizational Function
Production
Finance
Personnel
I.T.
Activities

Strategic
Planning

Management
Control

Operational
Control

Transaction
Processing

Organizational Functions & Management Activities