Information systems provide the infrastructure and enable communication for every kind of business in today’s global economy. The responsible managers in charge of these vital systems face several key issues in their efforts to effectively manage corporate information systems. Information systems, particularly hardware and software components, become obsolete very quickly. Another important issue is data storage and availability. The need for expanding data storage and processing capacity brings management concerns about space, facility requirements, and energy consumption. According to Joe Valacich, the cycle of hardware and software obsolescence is self-propagating (p. 120, 2012).
When software becomes outdated, creating a program to replace it will often require more powerful hardware, and the latest hardware will enable more powerful software. Managers need to be aware of the life-cycle of hardware and software in their efforts to enable cost-effective information systems for business. The following sections will offer a look at some of the tools and standards that responsible managers use to keep information systems up-to-date and running efficiently. Preventative Maintenance
Maintaining information systems is a vital part of managing business technology needs. Keeping software configured properly is an ongoing process that requires constant attention and training for knowledge workers. Managers need to be aware of the changing nature of their systems so they are certain that employees possess the right information to keep software running at optimal levels.
The Essay on Determining Operating Systems and Software Applications
... information to help managers and staffs understand the business performance and plan the future direction ("McD Information System," n.d.). Functions of Computer Hardware ... Applications Point of Sale System McDonald’s proprietary hardware and software. Proprietary software and hardware equivalent to most fast ... The decision support system (DSS) is used to model data and enable quality decision making. ...
Hardware systems require the same levels of training and vigilance, but developing an effective maintenance schedule is also needed to keep hardware running well. Preventative maintenance involves working on hardware when it has a fault and on a regularly scheduled basis (Williamson, 2010).
The adage about not fixing something if it is not broken is not useful in today’s fast moving business environment. Managers and their technicians need to ensure that proper care is taken to keep information systems running well. Configuration Management
It is difficult to find specific standards for configuration management that apply to every technology need. Managers in charge of information systems need to make configuration decisions based on the specific needs of their particular business. The underlying goal of a configuration management plan is to control changes to hardware, software, testing, and maintenance of an information system over its entire life-cycle. This management plan helps information system owners to plan maintenance, upgrades, and eventual replacements for aging hardware and software.
The standards that do exist for configuration management are built within the ISO 9000 international standards. These guidelines offer principles to use when working with technology from concept to disposal (http://www.iso.org/).
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers also have a widely used standard for software configuration management plans (http://www.ieee.org/).
The next section on adaptive maintenance is an important evolution of configuration management as it applies more agile techniques to keep technicians ready to handle issues with information systems. Training for Adaptive Maintenance
The Essay on Information Systems and Information Technology
A combination of hardware, software, infrastructure and trained personnel organized to facilitate planning, control, coordination, and decision making in an organisation Contrast IS and IT: What is the difference between Information Systems and Information Technology? In: Computer Terminology, Technology, Information Technology[Edit categories] Answer: Information Systems is a large umbrella ...
Providing proper technology training and developing employee’s technical skills is another vital duty of an information systems manager. No matter how much automation is added to an information system there will always be the need for skilled technicians to administer them, particularly in situations which require adaptive maintenance. Adaptive maintenance involves making changes to software when needed to add functionality or to replace irrelevant modules.
That type of agile maintenance that changes or flows with the business needs of an organization is exactly what is needed in a fast moving business environment. Training employees to perform adaptive maintenance requires constant technical training. It also requires managers to build employee confidence in nontechnical disciplines such as team building, online collaboration, and ways to build meaningful relationships with end-users. Communicating effectively with users will provide managers and technical staff with valuable data about the systems they are administering and the kinds of features that their customers want to see added to new software builds.
Another aspect of training employees for adaptive maintenance is educating them on the expense of making deep changes to an information system. The responsibility for keeping maintenance costs reasonable should stay with the manager; however, educating employees on the financial side of their information system will aid them in determining if a change is worth making or if they should wait for a major change or upgrade opportunity. Adaptive maintenance is an effective tool for information systems managers, but the costs of making changes should always be weighed against the benefits to the organization. New Frontiers: Managing Information Systems in a Global Economy
Perhaps the greatest challenge to managing information systems today is globalization. The lack of international borders to business has created many new opportunities but also many new challenges for managers. Untapped technology markets exist in many developing countries, but information system infrastructure has to be in place before anyone can profit. The challenge of finding cost-effective ways to tap into new markets is something that many managers are facing today. The humanitarian benefits of technology are undeniable, but most managers are responsible to their organizations profit margin first.
The Essay on Management For Information Systems
... information systems usually requires strong visible support from management. Like any major organizational change effort, information technology applications must involve managers ... paper, direct printer costs (including acquisition and maintenance) printer supplies and in terms of personnel ... managed. Software problems can be resolved before employees become too dependent on the system.For example, ...
Another grave concern of the global economy for information systems managers is security. Many developing nations have different laws in place to protect information systems, so managers and their technical staff need to be aware of the legal needs of localized information systems. Awareness of
international standards, establishing agile preventative maintenance schedules, and training employees to make responsible technology decisions will protect businesses as they expand into the increasingly intermingled global economy.
Resources
http://standards.ieee.org/findstds/standard/829-1998.html
http://www.iso.org/iso/iso_catalogue/catalogue_tc/catalogue_detail.htm?csnumber=36644 Mithas, S., Tafti, A., Bardhan, I., & Mein Goh, J. (2012).
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND FIRM PROFITABILITY: MECHANISMS AND EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE. MIS Quarterly, 36(1), 205-224. Valacich, J. (2012).
Information Systems Today: Managing in the Digital World, 5e. Retrieved from University of Phoenix online library. Williamson, J. E. (2010).
More hospitals reap preventive maintenance rewards. Healthcare Purchasing News, 34(10), 44-51.
