Introduction

Nothing is constant in this world except change. At this moment, we are positioned in a

fast-paced environment where technology is advancing. Modern technology has changed

civilization in many different ways. Years ago, people used to do things manually not until

technology was developed. The development of technology helps increasing individuals and

organizational productivity. Businesses use information systems to organize and analyze data

to be used in its functional areas such as accounting, finance, marketing and human

resources. Although manual systems are still being used, computerized information systems

have significantly influenced the growth of most business and organizations. The advantages

of computers such as speed, accuracy and its ability to perform complex functions permit

considerably more alternatives in decision-making processes. For a business to realize

competitive advantages, it should be able to adapt to the changing trends and new

environment.

Information Systems

Nowadays, businesses use technology in their daily operations. Using of computer-

based information system allows people to speed up tasks needed to be performed. With the

help of these systems, information needed by the management are organized and easily

stored which enables one to save time and minimize cost. For instance, Accounting

information systems help records transactions and produce periodic statements effectively.

Finance systems facilitate financial planning and business transactions. Marketing information

systems analyze demand for products in regions. Human resource management systems aid

in record-keeping. These show how information system is important in performing tasks in the

functional areas of business. In relation to this, e-commerce and the trading of goods and

services through the internet is very popular. It is because the internet enables people to be

connected globally. With these facts, I realized how important information technology is. It

does not only increase productivity but also help in accomplishing task more efficiently and
effectively. It makes transactions faster. Moreover, I learned the importance of innovation. For

it creates bigger opportunities and is critical for survival, economic growth, and success of a

company. In order to sustain a competitive advantage, a company must enhance technology.

Importance of Information Technology to Management

Management is an integral part of a business. It allocates resources to accomplish the

desired company goals and objectives efficiently and effectively. Management comprises

planning, controlling, staffing, leading or directing of an organization. On the other hand,

technology improves company’s speed, efficiency, flexibility, functionality, security and

decreases human error by developing automated process. Management and technology are

complementary nowadays. This is because technology is being used by the management in all

aspects of overseeing and supervising business operations. It helps the management optimize

its operations and enables to achieve a sustainable competitive advantage in the market.

Customers value fast services which lead the management to improve their system.

Improving their system involves critical thinking as to how they should cope up with the fast

changing economy. In this connection, I have learned that Management Information System

(MIS) encompasses entire business cycle. It gives an impact in all management functions with

appropriate information from both internal and external sources. It is also used for

coordination, control, analysis and visualization of information in an organization. It is a big

help especially to large companies in accessing and tracing its day-to-day business

operations. Through MIS, data input transforms information output to aid the management in

making economic decisions. In a corporate setting, the main goal of the use of this Information

System is to increase the profit of the business. Increasing the profit of the business needs an

efficient and effective strategy as to how they will gain more customers. Gaining more

customers can be achieved only if they will serve the latter at their best. Therefore,

Management Information System is very useful tool to the company because it allows the
business management adapt to the current business environment giving them the competitive

edge among others.

Computer Technologies

Computer Hardware and Software

Technology is based on different components working together to solve an issue.

Computer system is an example of such technology that allows the use of information.

Computer system is made of software and hardware. Software is in the word used to group

numerous computer programs, documentation, and procedures that are tasked with ensuring

a computer system operates effectively. The software systems that are used in computer

system are grouped into three classes: application software, programming software, and

system software. Software allows a system to operate in a specific sequence and permits

change of a system based on the software that is available. The software is created in a

manner that is user-friendly and forms the interface in which the computer system can operate

effectively. On the other hand, hardware refers to a physical component of the computer

systems. Some examples of hardware are video card, printer, computer display monitor, and

hard drive to name a few. The importance of hardware is giving the software a platform to run

on. The software and hardware interacts with each other with the purpose of fulfilling a given

task. Without these two components, a computer system cannot operate effectively.

Business Networks and Telecommunication Technology

There are several improvements brought by telecommunication to business processes.

With the aid of computer and other telecommunication gadgets, better business

communication takes place. This pertains that one may use this to monitor another person’s

performance in real time. Furthermore, it is used for greater efficiency. For instance, any

information recorded electronically can become immediately available to anyone even when

the business units are far apart. It also provides better distribution of data since through

telecommunication, organizations can transmit vital data quickly from one computer to
another. In addition, it allows organizations to transact business instantly such that consumers

can now shop, purchase, and pay through online. People can also do online education and

entertainment. Telecommunication is indeed a great advantage to the industry today. Such

advantages are more likely being used for daily transaction and communication like

videoconferencing, wireless payments and warehousing, peer-to-peer file sharing, and web-

empowered commerce.

It is undeniable fact that the world is gradually changing day by day. Hence, technology

is a great influence to people in their daily activities. Organizations back then, used to transact

and operate manually. But with the influence of advanced technology, it makes ones’ work a

lot easier and faster. I have learned that people are becoming reliant on this. As a result,

almost all actions can be accomplished with telecommunication- purchasing goods, selling of

products and services, researching events, paying accounts, banking transfers and the like are

nowadays do not necessarily need to be done physically but just a click of a finger. Thus, this

makes one conveniently do things in one setting. The same is true when sending messages to

a person, instead of sending mails to postal offices, sending messages can be done through

e-mails and cellular phones which is more convenient. Moreover, videoconferencing is what

organizations frequently do in conducting meetings for it is more accessible to their hectic

schedules. These activities, however, will not be possible if it was not for networks such like

Wireless Fidelity or the WiFi.

Web Technologies and Business

Twenty years had passed, business processes have evolved into a better advanced

state. With the aid of modern technology, it is easier for most businessmen to transact

business operations. Instead of putting advertisements in the local paper, they can eventually

post it on websites free of cost which can make them can save more and spend less.

Moreover, internet helps the business to connect and communicate to its various clients.

Internet is very helpful for the daily business transactions. However, internet alone cannot
transact business operations to other companies because the computer being used requires

web technology. Web technology enables the computer to communicate and connect with

other computers. There are websites used worldwide where businessmen, customers, and

clients give and take information on particular matter. Through this websites, businesses can

create and integrate information system used for business. For instance, wiki serve as the

source of information where they can collect necessary data for the improvement and

expansion of their ideas. When an organization desires to be updated on the status of a newly

launched product in the market, it does need to meet the customers personally but instead

blog its new product in order to get the opinions and feedbacks needed for the enhancement

of such product. Moreover, web technology serves as a medium of transaction in business

world. It enables two parties to transact business and do make agreements online. It does not

only connect to a group of companies but also to various customers as well as to the

government. It also provides updates on daily basis regarding changes that affect the status of

a business. In addition, if there are some essential concerns that need immediate attention,

one can directly inform others through chat or e-mail. Indeed, web technologies are a very

useful tool for most businesses for their day-to-day activities thus minimizing labor costs.

But it is indeed difficult for a business to be competitive if this cannot readily adapt the

modernization on this era. It is eventually impossible to achieve company’s goals if it remains

on their manual system. It needs to be more updated on the current changes of technology in

order to survive. But this does not mean that an organization should always dependent

modernization. It should still conduct personal interactions in order to maintain the good

relationship with others. Physical contacts still build a good foundation for a stronger business

operations.

Challenges to Implementing International Information System

It is a fact that in this fast changing world, companies are using an electronic network

called the internet or web so to make their work easier, with the increasing number of
companies operating worldwide, the web becomes an important aspect due to the enormous

global opportunities it offers. This supports the business process to allow operations such as

business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-customer (B2C) transactions to be easier.

Global Information System or GIS is used by multinational corporations to deliver the

totality of measurable data worldwide within a defined context. GIS allows organizations to

operate efficiently and effectively in countries beyond their companies are primarily located.

GIS helps companies relay information globally that results to a faster transaction and can

save cost.

The use of Global Information System (GIS) opens a big door of opportunities to

multinational companies. However, it is conflicted internationally by: technological barriers,

regulations and tariffs, electronic payment mechanisms, different language and culture,

economic and political considerations, different measurement standards and legal barriers.

Therefore, companies must cope up with these challenges to build good relationship to global

trade. Organizations must take into account that not all countries have adequate technology

infrastructures that will keep them updated. Cultural differences, on the other hand, can cause

major problem since countries differ on to their preferred tastes, gestures, treatment of people

and ethical issues. Others countries are against “modernization” because of the fear that their

culture may be “influenced” by the other cultures. Furthermore, language can also be a big

challenge to companies using GIS. While it is true that English is the most commonly used

language but only 32.8% of the internet users are English-speaking. With these,

misunderstanding could arise. The companies, to retain good relationship to their international

partners, must decide on choosing a common language.

Decision Support System and Expert System

In the recent year there had been rapid developments in two technologies aimed at

improving decision-making: Decision support systems (DSS) and Expert Systems. As

companies seek on how to respond rapidly to the changing market conditions and customer
needs they tend to use technologies that provide them easy way of coming up with a good

decision making. A Decision Support Systems (DSS) is a specific class of computerized

information system that supports business and organizational decision-making activities.

Properly designed Decision support Systems are interactive software-based systems intended

to help decision makers compile useful information from raw data, documents, personal

knowledge, and/or business models to identify and solve problems and make business

decisions. On the other hand, Expert systems are knowledge-based information systems that

use software and a knowledge base about a specific, complex application area to act as

expert consultants to users in many business and technical application.

However, Expert system emulates the knowledge of an expert in a narrow field or

domain. After several years of development, Expert system evolve into artificial intelligence

with a goal to develop computer that have abilities similar to a human; the ability to think as

well as to see, hear, walk, talk and feel. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has three domains: Cognitive

science Application, Robotics Application and Natural Interface Application.

Conclusion

If taxation is the lifeblood of a government, MIS is the lifeblood of an organization. It

plays a very vital role in the management for it begets impacts on the organization's

performance, functions, and its productivity. A good MIS on management functions in the

areas of personnel, operations, marketing, finance, production would result to an efficient

business.

Here, the MIS helps the top level managers in the setting of management goals, to

produce strategic planning and evolving the business plans and their implementation.

Furthermore, the MIS holds the role of information generation, problem determination,

effective communication and more importantly it aids in the process of decision-making. As a

result, there should be an integrated information system that gives the company with the

current and future data helping in correct managerial decision making.

 In order to survive in the market competition, a company should adapt to change and

should use technology as a tool to improve its operations. It should grab the opportunities

brought by advancement to enhance its information systems. Information is very important in

the decision-making process. Information systems process raw data to supply managers with

the information that would permit them to plan and control business operations. As a

conclusion, the advancement of technology had made a great influence to people and its

activities.