Management Information Systems

Organizations use computers and information systems to reduce costs and gain a competitive advantage in the marketplace. Computers and information systems are all around you. As a student, you use computers and office suite software and might take online classes. Computers are often used to grade your exam answers and generate detailed reports comparing the performance of each student in your class. Computers and information systems also calculate grades and grade point averages (GPAs) and can deliver this information to you. Many workers are now telecommuters who perform their jobs at home, and others often use their personal digital assistants (PDAs) to conduct business while on the go. The most common PDA is a smartphone. A typical PDA includes a calendar, address book, and task-listing programs; more advanced PDAs often allow for wireless connection to the Internet and have built-in MP3 players. Smartphones are mobile phones with advanced capabilities, much like a mini-PC. They include e-mail and Web-browsing features, and most have a built-in keyboard or an external USB keyboard. Increasingly, tablet computers, such as iPads, are being used as PDAs. The Internet is used for all kinds of activities, from shopping to learning to working. Search engines and broad-band communication bring information to your desktop in seconds. The Internet is also used for social purposes. With social networking sites—such as Facebook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn, and Foursquare—you can connect with friends, family, and colleagues online and meet people with similar interests and hobbies. Organizations also use social networking sites to give customers up-to-date information and how-to support via videos. These sites can reduce organizations’ costs by providing an inexpensive medium for targeting a large customer base. Keep in mind that the terms information systems and information technologies are used interchangeably. Information systems are broader in scope than information technologies, but the two overlap in many areas. Both are used to help organizations be more competitive and to improve their overall efficiency and effectiveness. Computer literacy is skill in using productivity software, such as word processors, spreadsheets, database management systems, and presentation software, as well as having a basic knowledge of hardware and software, the Internet, and collaboration tools and technologies. Information literacy, on the other hand, is understanding the role of information in generating and using business intelligence.