Management Information System Report: Walmart's Strategy

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of Walmart's Management Information System (MIS). It begins with an introduction to MIS, its essential components, and the steps involved in its implementation. The report then delves into the specifics of Walmart's MIS, including the technologies it employs, such as handheld computers, barcode scanners, and in-house software for package tracking and logistics management. The report also examines the inputs, processing, and outputs of Walmart's package tracking system. Furthermore, it explores the impact of information systems on Walmart's business strategy and operations, highlighting the benefits such as cost reduction, quick access to information, and improved decision-making. The report also discusses the skills and knowledge required for using information systems effectively, and concludes by emphasizing the crucial role of MIS in Walmart's global success. The report also touches upon the implications of Walmart's MIS not being available.

Running Head: MIS 0
Management Information system Walmart
Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................2
Part 1..........................................................................................................................................2
Management Information System..........................................................................................2

MIS 1
Essential of Information system for running and managing a business.................................2
Steps of Management Information System............................................................................3
Components of Information system.......................................................................................4
Steps involve in solve problems related to information system.............................................4
How Information system affects business..............................................................................5
Skills required for using information system.........................................................................5
Knowledge required for using Information system................................................................5
Part 2..........................................................................................................................................6
Information System tools.......................................................................................................6
Part 3..........................................................................................................................................6
Inputs, processing and outputs of Walmart package tracking system....................................6
Technologies used by Walmart and how those technologies are related to Walmart business
strategy...................................................................................................................................7
What would happen if Walmart information system were not available?.............................7
Conclusion..................................................................................................................................8
References..................................................................................................................................9
Introduction
Walmart is an American multinational retail company, it operate as a chain of
supermarket. The company was founded by Sam Walton in 1962. By 31 January 2018
Walmart have 11,718 stores in 28 countries. Each week approx. 270 million customers visit
at Walmart stores and E-commerce website. Walmart run its business on simple principle of

MIS 2
‘selling more for less’ (Walmart corporate 2018). To get competitive advantage globally
Walmart is relying on Information system from past 50 years.
Information system is a useful tool for every business as it consume less time, less
cost and simplifies the work of manager and helps them in decision making.
1st Part
MIS
MIS is computer based tool which help in reviewing and controlling company
operations. The main goal of this system is to collect and organise all data from every level
and summarized it to get quality of decision making (Beal, 2017).
Essential of Information system for running and managing a business
 Information system helps managers in achieving high level of productivity.
 Information system is a tool helps in creating new model for a business, which
describe how company produce, deliver and sell a product,
 Information system is an information bank, always provide real time information to
manager which helps in decision making, and
 Information system avail competitive advantage (Bidgoli, 2017).
Steps of Management Information System

MIS 3
(Source: McLeod & Schell, 2007)
 First the users of information may be asked how much information they need
to accomplish their task,
 In second step objective should be clear in terms of what they will do with the
information,
 In third step they need to determine the source of information e.g. accounts,
files or government publications,
 In fourth step source, frequency, quantity and time of information is finalized
 In fifth step method of communicating information is decided e.g. report,
chart or statements,
 Finally the cost to be incurred in the process and benefits are assessed.
 After implementation of information system it should be evaluated in three to
six months (McLeod & Schell, 2007).
Components of Information system
People: Qualified professionals such as accountants, human resource management,
and top level managers are the users of information system who use it to record day to day
business transactions.

MIS 4
Organizational: Organizational component include process which guide the user and
all other components to work efficiently and effectively. The guide is developed by the users
and consultants.
Technology: Technological components of Information system are Hardware,
Software, Telecommunication, Database and Data warehouse. These tools are used for
collecting data and managing records for management.
Steps involve in solve problems related to information system
 Problem Identification: Problem identification includes finding the area of problem.
In information system all data are collected at one place. Whenever the problem arises
the system will automatically identify the reason and show alert on screen.
 Solution design: After identifying problem, system itself generates various solutions
related to the problem.
 Solution evaluation and choice: After getting various solutions it is a responsibility
of manger to select best solution to solve the problem.
 Implementation: When manager select the solution the next step involve is
implementing the solution to solve the problem (Post & Anderson 2015).
How Information system affects business
The information system and data processing tools are managing organisation effectively.
The main factors which affect business in positive ways are:
 Cost Reduction: Once the data entered to the system, it analysis data quickly and
support decision making instantly and no additional steps are required.

MIS 5
 Quick access: Information can be delivered to top management immediately. Even
the complex reports and statistics take few minutes.
 Interactive: To make an optimal decision the user can create variety of statement and
reports with the entered information.
 Flexible: Management deals with many decision making problems, such problems
can be solved by using algorithms, application and procedures (Yeh, 2018).
Skills required for using information system
Critical thinking, Comprehension reading, Good listening Ability, Strong convening
power, Monitoring, Decision making, Effective Communication, Coordination, Ability of
solving complex problems, System Evaluation and Analysis, Management of Personnel and
Material resource, Time Management, Mathematics, Operations Analysis, Persuasion
programming, Quality control Analysis, Troubleshooting and Technology Design.
Knowledge required for using Information system
Knowledge of Electronics and Computers, Personal and Customer service,
Management and Administration, Technology and Engineering, English Language, Human
and Personnel Resources, Telecommunication, Mathematics, Designing and Clerical
(Mymajore, 2016).
2nd Part
Information System tools
 Email: Email is an electronic source of sending mail globally while sitting in one
room. It is a useful tool for marketing, establishing, promoting brand in the global
market.

MIS 6
 Messaging: Message is a way of communication which can relates buyers to brand by
influencing and motivating them to buy a product. Message text should convey how
your brand is better and different from your competitors.
 Social Networking: Social media marketing generates opportunities for all size of
business, it can be used for promoting brand name, tell customers about your services
and goods, getting reviews from customers about your product and attracting new
customers.
 Mobile and Smart devices: Mobile marketing is a multi-channel digital marketing
strategy which aim is to reaching a target audience through their smartphones, tablets
and other smart devices, via emails, SMS, social media and apps. It helps in engaging
people with the brand (Tiago & Veríssimo, 2014).
3rd Part
Inputs, processing and outputs of Walmart package tracking system
 Inputs: It includes information of packaging, customer signature, package, time of
pick up, information of card, package delivery, location, and billing and consent
documents.
 Processing: The data is transferred to the main computer and stored for retrieval.
Data can be tracked by account of customer, date and other criteria if it reorganized
systematically.
 Outputs: The output includes pickup time, delivery time, specific package account
location, specific driver details and package recipient. It also includes various
summary reports of packaging (Bohn & Atherton, 2008).

MIS 7
Technologies used by Walmart and how those technologies are related to
Walmart business strategy
Technologies used by Walmart for uplifting its work culture include handheld
computers, desktop computers and barcode scanning device, wired and wireless
communication networks, huge mainframe computers and storage technology for delivering
and packing data. Walmart also use in house software for package tracking, fees calculation,
maintaining account of customers and logistic management.
The biggest advantage of technology for online customers is they can track there
package on Walmart web page. And technology installed at Walmart store make the work of
staff easy and effective.
What would happen if Walmart information system were not available?
Without technology Walmart might not able to compete in global market effectively.
If information technology were not available Walmart may not able to sell its product at
lower price because maintaining data will become a tough job manually. Without technology
marketing and promotion of brand globally will not possible. Technology provides value to
the business in its absence tasks will involve more cost (Walmart, corporate 2018)
Conclusion
To conclude Management information system is a very useful tool for every business
it helps in decision making, problem identifying and problem solving. Walmart is using
information system over 50 years and this is the main reason behind its success. The
Management information system and supply chain management of Walmart very effective
and continues helping it to lead the market globally

MIS 8

MIS 9
References
Beal. V. (2017). MIS - management information system. Retrieved from
https://www.webopedia.com/TERM/M/MIS.html.
Bidgoli, H. (2017). MIS (8 ed.). California: Cengage Learning.
Bohn, C., & Atherton, D. P. (2008). An analysis package comparing PID anti-windup
strategies. IEEE Control Systems, 15(2), 34-40.
McLeod, R., & Schell, G. P. (2007). Management information systems. USA:
Pearson/Prentice Hall.
Mymajore. (2016). Computer and Information Systems Manager Career. Retrieved from
https://www.mymajors.com/career/computer-and-information-systems-managers/skills/.
Post. G.V. & Anderson. D.L. (2015). Management Information Systems: Solving Business
Problems with Information Technology. Retrieved from
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/234827708/.
Tiago, M. T. P. M. B., & Veríssimo, J. M. C. (2014). Digital marketing and social media:
Why bother?. Business Horizons, 57(6), 703-708.
Walmart corporate. (2018). About us- Walmart. Retrieved from
https://corporate.walmart.com/.
Yeh. C.H, (2018). How information system capability affects e‐business information
technology strategy implementation. Journal of Business Process Management. Retrieved
from https://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/abs/10.1108/14637151211225171.