Critically evaluate the strategic role of global information systems Essay - 1

Critically evaluate the strategic role of global information systems for organisations and discuss the management issues associa - Essay Example For firms, adoption of information systems requires investment resources such as time and personnel (King, 2009). Organizations in different industries always strive to be market leaders in their respective market segments. Where the business environment consists of inflation, recession and tough operating conditions, businesses opt for strategies aimed at gaining a competitive edge over their competitors (Drucker, &Maciariello, 2008).Among these strategies can be the one that enables adoption of an information system by a firm. The system enables the organization make optimum use of its data, cut down on costs and increases efficiency.Information systems store and analyze data faster and in a more secure manner unlike the outdated manual way of data handling. Hardcopy management of data and records is no longer in use. Today, most companies opt for sophisticated databases that store data in any format, be it text, image or video files, update the data as well analyze the data at the click of a mouse (Drucker, &Maciariello, 2008). Through faster analysis of data, quicker solutions to present and future problems are easily determined. Another role of information systems is that of assisting in the decision making process (King, 2009). Success for an enterprise depends upon the strategic plans a firm adopts. The management of a firm uses management information systems to come up with strategic plans for the continued success of the firm (King, 2009). Information systems also play a role in the development of business processes that aim at adding value to a firm’s operations. Continuous business process remodeling is necessary for enhancing the quality of a firm’s products as well as cost minimization. Global information systems are basically information systems designed for the global market. Global information systems are more developed to cater for specific world markets and attempt to deliver functionality to a firm within the context of the whol e world (Laudon, &Laudon, 2002). With global information systems, focus is on the global setting, in a wider scope largely translating to distributed systems. Software’s for these systems are developed with the concept of global (Laudon, &Laudon, 2002). Design for these systems concern process flow in the systems, architecture as mechanisms for supporting the functions of the system. Information systems are composed are composed of information technology, business applications, development processes of the systems, foundation concepts as well as management challenges (Taylor, 2004). Information technology comprises of hardware software, data, networks and other technologies. System development processes concerns how the systems are developed and implemented. Foundation concepts are about technical and business concepts concerning components and functioning of the system (Sarngadharan&Minimol, 2010). Managerial challenges on information systems on the other hand concern how th e management of functions of information system componentsachieve optimum performance. Management issues in planning for information systems In planning for a global information system, the management team carries out a comprehensive analysis of how the firm’s business operations are conducted. This analysis will determine whether or not adoption of an information system will be of benefit to the firm (Sarngadharan & Minimol, 2010). When a firm operates globally, the scenario in the different markets is almost similar

Operations Management as an integral component of a manufacturing Essay

Operations Management as an integral component of a manufacturing industry - Essay Example MRP ensures that there is just about enough materials available for production. If this planning is not efficiently done, there is the likelihood of either finding oneself in a situation where the materials for production is less than required leading to disruption in production or having too much of materials resulting in wasteful spending. MRP has evolved with the computer technology. Its full potential embracing all aspects is prevalent in data base software and there is tremendous scope for utilization of all the heads and sub-heads for the purpose of manufacture of unique and desirable product. It operates on the basis of a master schedule and develops the requirement for materials. The software is programmed to procure different materials for a product. MRP has to be tuned to production planning. Otherwise there will be mismatch in procurement. Normally, MRP through the use of computer is good for mass production where the volume of manufacture is high. Production planning is a part of the master schedule and sees through the MRP. It is an input to capacity plan. The MRP software is complex and so the user has to be provided training so that he is in a position to apply his knowledge in the use the software to the actual requirement of the organization. He must be capable of understanding the software to maximize its use so that the computer is not seen as something that only produces reports with information of non-relevance and disuse. Once the details in the customers' orders are fed into the integrated database, the system checks the schedule as against the current capacity. If the inputs of the materials requirement exceed current capacity, it provides the alternatives for increasing capacity or creating adjustments in the master schedule. The process of MRP must suit its environment to optimize production. In other words, business adapts MRP to suit the market. The computerized version of MRP is complex and is designed to cater to high volumes (Material Requirement Planning MRP). While on the subject, it is necessary to gauge the break-even point with MRP. There are several ways of analyzing the break-even point. Costs and sales forecast analysis is one of them (Decision Making). Total Quality Management (TQM) Total Quality Management is that aspect of management where there is awareness of maintaining quality at every level. According to the International Organization for Standardization, "TQM is a management approach for an organization, centered