Types of information system
For most businesses, there are a variety of requirements for
information. Senior managers need information to help with
their business planning. Middle management needs more
detailed information to help them monitor and control
business activities. Employees with operational roles need
information to help them carry out their duties.
As a result, businesses tend to have several "information
systems" operating at the same time. This revision note
highlights the main categories of information system and
provides some examples to help you distinguish between
them
The main kinds of information systems in business are
described briefly below:
Executive Support Systems ("ESS"): is designed to help
senior management make strategic decisions. It gathers
analyses and summarises the key internal and external
information used in the business.
A good way to think about an ESS is to imagine the senior
management team in an aircraft cockpit - with the instrument
panel showing them the status of all the key business
activities. ESS typically involves lots of data analysis and
modeling tools such as "what-if" analysis to help strategic
decision-making.
Management Information Systems ("MIS"): is mainly
concerned with internal sources of information. MIS usually
take data from the transaction processing systems and
summarise it into a series of management reports. MIS
reports tend to be used by middle management and
operational supervisors.
Decision-Support Systems("DSS"): are specifically designed
to help management make decisions in situations where there
is uncertainty about the possible outcomes of those decisions.
DSS comprise tools and techniques to help gather relevant
information and analyse the options and alternatives. DSS
For most businesses, there are a variety of requirements for
information. Senior managers need information to help with
their business planning. Middle management needs more
detailed information to help them monitor and control
business activities. Employees with operational roles need
information to help them carry out their duties.
As a result, businesses tend to have several "information
systems" operating at the same time. This revision note
highlights the main categories of information system and
provides some examples to help you distinguish between
them
The main kinds of information systems in business are
described briefly below:
Executive Support Systems ("ESS"): is designed to help
senior management make strategic decisions. It gathers
analyses and summarises the key internal and external
information used in the business.
A good way to think about an ESS is to imagine the senior
management team in an aircraft cockpit - with the instrument
panel showing them the status of all the key business
activities. ESS typically involves lots of data analysis and
modeling tools such as "what-if" analysis to help strategic
decision-making.
Management Information Systems ("MIS"): is mainly
concerned with internal sources of information. MIS usually
take data from the transaction processing systems and
summarise it into a series of management reports. MIS
reports tend to be used by middle management and
operational supervisors.
Decision-Support Systems("DSS"): are specifically designed
to help management make decisions in situations where there
is uncertainty about the possible outcomes of those decisions.
DSS comprise tools and techniques to help gather relevant
information and analyse the options and alternatives. DSS
