Managing Information and Technology in a Real Life Business

This essay discusses the importance of managing information and technology in a real life business. It explores different categories of information systems and the role of ERP systems in managing and controlling business information streams. The benefits of implementing ERP systems in a real life business are also highlighted.

Essay

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
Categories of Information systems.........................................................................................1
ERP Systems..........................................................................................................................3
The benefits of ERP systems in a real life business...............................................................4
Recommendations..................................................................................................................5
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................5
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................7

INTRODUCTION
In present era, it is becoming essential for all organisations to manage the available
information addition to technology effectively. Managing information is concerned with
information system that is particularly used to make decision as well as coordinating, controlling,
scrutinizing together with visualizing available information in business (Abrams, Chen and
Downton, 2018). Moreover, it is related to collecting and controlling of data from various
sources and distributing the same to the audiences. Similarly, managing technology engrosses
scheduling, scheming, optimising, functioning and controlling technological elements. It aims to
capitalize on cost effectiveness of investments to develop technology that contributes towards
organisational values. It involves set of disciplines which permits entities to manage
fundamentals related to technology for the purpose of creating competitive benefits. It plays
crucial function of understanding significance of certain technologies for the business concerns.
To understand in detail about managing information along with technology, Morgan Motors
Company is considered which is a motor car manufacturer having headquarters at Malvern,
United Kingdom since 1910. The company provides antidote to wide manufactured automotive
and brings exceptional tradition craftsmanship mix with suitable modern technology. The essay
discusses distinct categories of information system and ways in which ERP Systems plays role in
managing along with controlling business side information streams. It also covers various
advantages that using ERP Systems in real business which improves data collection together
with dissemination capabilities of entity. Main aim of the essay is to collect and evaluate insights
related to different information system types and function of ERP system to manage and control
various information streams. Moreover, objective of the essay is to gain understanding in context
to information systems, ERP systems and advantages of using them within real life company in
present context.
MAIN BODY
Categories of Information systems
Information system is termed to formal and organisational system that is specially designed
for the purpose to collect, process, store, retrieve and share information (Bryant, 2019). In other
words, it is mentioned as integrated set of elements to gather, store together with process data so
that information, knowledge as well as digital commodities are shared within the business. It
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involves multiple pieces of tools and equipments that plays huge role in disseminating
information. In an organisation, the concept is used as it handles flows addition to maintenance
of information which supports various operations. With using the information system effectively,
managers of Morgan Motors Company shape entire system and also make suitable solutions to
the challenges that are posed by external business environment. It plays important roles such as
supporting business operations, supporting business decisions along with strategic competitive
advantages (Information systems, 2020). Following are the description of certain categories that
are part of information system in Morgan Motors Company:
Transaction processing system: One of information system which processes information
that are obtained from existence of business transactions. it is majorly used for record keeping
purposes that is essential in all organisations to conduct operations effectively. Some of
examples of the information system involve stock control system, sales order entry, bill system,
shipping records and so on (Peltier, 2016). For example, managers of Morgan Motors Company
opts it to generate periodic report in systematic format. Along with this, it also helps in
producing reports related to demands together with exception reports. In this information system,
transactions are excited in two forms in which one is batch processing and the next is online
transactions processing. The main objective of it is to provide information of all transactions for
updating records along with generating essential reports.
Office automation systems: It is described as collection of communication technology,
human capital along with computers for the purpose of executing official tasks. By using the
system , individuals processes persona along with organisational data, creates documents such as
word processing, personal calendars, spreadsheets and so on (Bryson, 2017). With the help of
office automation system, managers of Morgan Motors Company executes and supports all
truncations that are related to office working and other activities levels in company. Moreover, it
uses hardware together with software solutions which helps in easing organisational workload. It
segregate all activities under the two groups that are clerical as well as managerial activities.
Managerial activities that are performed through office automation system encompasses
conferencing, controlling organisational performances, devising reports addition to messages and
hence forth. At same time, clerical activities that are executed through the use if the information
system includes typesetting, scheduling meetings, preparing written communication, calendar
keeping and so on.
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Decision support system: An interactive computer supported information system which
serves management level in the business. Along with this, it also processes data and required
information for supporting all decision making procedures that are part of managerial
determination. It has primitive data analysis techniques that supports together with assist aspects
that are related to decision making for particular problem. In Morgan Motors Company, it is
developed by managers so that intelligent and effective decisions are framed after analysing
trends in automotive and changes in demand for traditional cars. Furthermore, it also employs
wide decision model variety for analysing data together with summarising vast information into
tabular and charts which makes analysis easier for organisational managers (Castillo, 2016).
Along with this, the system helps in providing interactive environment in which users can work
without any hindrances and can add or change data according to requirements.
ERP Systems
ERP system is combination of various enterprise resource planning applications which
involves common data base. It is well known as business process management that allows
entities to use scheme of incorporated application for managing business as well as automating
essential office functions that are associated with technology, human capital along with services.
It assimilates distinct operations facets including development, promotion and sales,
development within individual user database along with applications. This system is used by
various small businesses along with established companies with proper implementations.
Various entities are making investment in implementing suitable systems for the purpose of
business savings, growth and productivity (Carnall, 2018). In context to Morgan Motors
Company, the managers uses ERP system to manage functions of business in centralised together
with integrated manner. Moreover, other business that works in supply chain also uses the
system to keep track of entire moving parts within work areas of manufacturing and distribution.
Along with this, this system helps in entering all data into individual database and permits
departments to implement actions by suing same information. It brings together human
resources, financial management, supply chain capabilities, customer management and business
intelligence into one system.
ERP systems renders manpower of Morgan Motors Company with approved access for
sharing database that could be utilised at the time required. This helps in obviating error chances,
replication of data and control on manipulation degree in the stages related to organisational
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automation procedures. In present context, ERP Systems are categorised in three elements that
are Cloud, Hybrid together with On premise ERP system. Cloud based ERP system is related to
Software as a Service (SaaS), that is built application and provides options to utilise information
technological resources which increases availability of resources through external service
provider. It is a system that runs on cloud computing platform of the service provider despite of
any organisational premise that have own data centre. In context to on premise system, it is
decision of business to source enterprise resource planning software that is maintained in
physical office but not in ordering to deliver on vendor-supplier platform. Moreover, it offers
options to entity to maximise capacity by tailor software which meets particular requirements of
business concerns (Du, 2017). The next is hybrid ERP system that is known as combination of
the two. It states that the system can be on cloud as well as on servers. A user by suing it can
avail various opportunities to get best of the two systems. It provides implementation costs
which are cheaper that those on on premise solution and cloud system. From the three,
information technology team of Morgan Motors Company uses on premise ERP system in which
they sources in house software and manages entire data with easy customisation. Moreover, by
using the system, the company enjoys less dependency on vendors and controls all the
information in effective manner.
The benefits of ERP systems in a real life business
There are various benefits that a real life business avails after using ERP systems. It
provides benefits to all types of business whether it is small, medium or large. Certain benefits
that are exploited by Morgan Motors Company that is real life business through implementing
ERP system:
Higher productivity: ERP systems generally streamline as well as automate all core
processes of business that helps all people to do more with scare resources (Gaynor, 2017). In
context to Morgan Motors Company, implementation of effective ERP system helps in
manufacturing more number of cars with the scarce resources and tools that leads to attaining
higher productivity.
Integrated information: ERP system is considered as central hub to entire important
information which is required by business and all the departments under it for maintaining day to
day practices along with operations. By using ERP System, managers of Morgan Motors
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Company work freely as the system helps in integrating all information in accurate manner and
eliminates potential mistakes also in data analytics.
Streamlined process: When a business grows it faces issues related to complexity of
operations that unfortunately enhances costly mistakes. But when ERP System is opted by
Morgan Motors Company then it streamlines all its operations and processes and also automates
cross departmental process, deliver accurate and real time information at all level, eliminates
manual duty that reduces chances of errors and mistakes. At same time, it also enhances
efficiency prevent duplication of working, improves functions and completes practices on time in
streamlined manner (Ma, 2016).
Recommendations
It is recommended to managers of Morgan Motors Company that must have effective
control as well as integration of business function with the information in systematic and
accurate manner. Managers of the organisation are highly recommended to use POS (Point Of
Scale) System for the purpose of streamlining internal environment. Along with this, it will assist
them to manage inventory as well as overview financial transactions at particular point of real
time reporting. By using the recommended system, the company will be able to uphold integrity
of data and access all the information by maintaining reliability at centre. Apart from this,
administrators of the business could merge ERP systems with POS System for the purpose of
analysing stocks, incomes as well as sales demand.
CONCLUSION
The report concludes that it is very important for an organisation to manage the technology
along with information in order to gain competitive benefits. Information management is
significant for businesses as it assist in framing decisions in professional addition to personal
life. At same time, managing technology is related to planning, developing, optimising and
controlling various products that are part of technology. It helps in maximising investment
effectiveness to develop available technology that leads to adding values in the business.
Information system are categorised as Transaction processing system, Office automation system
and Decision support system. Main ERP systems can be used in the business are cloud, In-House
and Hybrid ERP system. The benefits that a company enjoys through implementing ERP system
are Higher productivity, Integrated information and Streamlined process.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals:
Abrams, S. S., Chen, X. J. and Downton, M. P., 2018. Managing educational technology:
School partnerships and technology integration. Routledge.
Bryant, C., 2019. Managing development in the Third World. Routledge.
Bryson, J., 2017. Managing information services: a sustainable approach. Routledge.
Castillo, F., 2016. Managing information technology. Springer.
Carnall, C., 2018. Managing change. Routledge.
Du, H., 2017. An international legal framework for geoengineering: managing the risks of an
emerging technology. Routledge.
Gaynor, G., 2017. Managing technology and innovation. IEEE Engineering Management
Review. 45(4). pp.15-17.
Ma, Z. ed., 2016. Managing big data in cloud computing environments. IGI Global.
Peltier, T. R., 2016. Information Security Policies, Procedures, and Standards: guidelines for
effective information security management. CRC Press.
Rohitratana, K., 2017. The role of Thai values in managing information systems: a case study of
implementing a MRP system. In Information Technology in Context: Studies from the
perspective of developing countries (pp. 23-39). Routledge.
Tidd, J. and Bessant, J. R., 2018. Managing innovation: integrating technological, market and
organizational change. John Wiley & Sons.
Windelberg, M., 2016. Objectives for managing cyber supply chain risk. International Journal
of Critical Infrastructure Protection. 12. pp.4-11.
Online:
Information systems. 2020. [Online]. Available through: https://theartofservice.com/the-six-
types-of-information-systems-and-their-functions.html
(Abrams, Chen and Downton, 2018) (Bryant, 2019) (Bryson, 2017) (Castillo, 2016) (Carnall,
2018) (Du, 2017) (Gaynor, 2017) (Ma, 2016) (Peltier, 2016) (Rohitratana, 2017) (Tidd and
Bessant, 2018) (Windelberg, 2016)
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