Running head: INFO SYSTEMS AND SOFTWARE ESSAY 1

Information Systems and Software Applications

Edward Charfauros

Business Information Systems

BUS/219

Byron Kizzie

May 10, 2011

INFO SYSTEMS AND SOFTWARE ESSAY 2

INFO SYSTEMS AND SOFTWARE ESSAY 3

This essay surrounds the important use of information systems and software applications

in business today driving strategies of cost efficiency, progressive revenue growth, and quality

improvements. Focusing the discussion around these organizational departments: Marketing,

Human Resources (HR), and Management.

Companies and organizations use of technology continues to be critical in remaining

competitive. Information systems and software applications play vital roles in the direction of

business. Monitoring and directing the majority aspect of company operations from managing

plans and emailing, to HR’s employee and history database, to Internet marketing, sales reports

and promotion statistics.

Information Systems Overview and Organization Relation

James Cash, Jr. and Poppy McLeod stated in Journal of Management

Information Systems, No. 4 (1985), the primary focus of computer and

communication technology application in some companies has shifted from

efficiency/process improvement to strategic/ competitive uses (Abstract

section, p. 5).

Anthony Hendrickson stated in Journal of Labor Research. Volume XXIV, Number 3

(2003), human Resource Information Systems (HRIS) can be briefly defined as integrated

systems used to gather, store, and analyze information regarding an organization's human

resources. An HRIS is not limited to the computer hardware and software applications that

comprise the ""technical" part of the system: it also includes the people, policies, procedures, and

data required to manage the human resources function (Introduction section, p. 381, para. 2).

INFO SYSTEMS AND SOFTWARE ESSAY 4

Within the marketing landscape, Marketing Resource Management (MRM) is

implemented for business, according to Aquent and Unica (2011) includes best-in-class software,

process changes, and measurement tools having a profound impact on critical areas like

planning, production management, workflow, and reporting. By automating and streamlining

day-to-day operations, an MRM solution helps marketing departments work smarter and more

efficiently (Introduction section, p. 3, para. 1).

Managers use, the Management Support Systems (MSS): an overall integrated systems

model of various entities to support decision-making. Presented are the decision support systems

(DSS), executive information systems (EIS), knowledge management systems (KMS), and

business intelligence (BI) (Jones, Armstrong, and Clark, Jr. (2007).

Software Applications Overview and Organization Relation

Several different software products meet the needs of Management, HR, and Marketing

Department. Four are mentioned here, for example, some small businesses use NetSuite: a one

all-inclusive program for all business needs using applications titled Business Intelligence, Client

Relationship Manager, and Ecommerce.

Microsoft Outlook and GroupWise are two email applications used by management for

daily activities by communicating through constructing and receiving e-mails.

Intellidesk SDC is a software application used by human resource departments for

example; hospitals utilize the application for alphabetizing employee name lists with department

of employment and contact information. Additionally, keeping record of staff entry and

departure times.

1. ConclusionThe world continues to evolve with technology, as business continues to grow dependent on information systems and software applications to quicken efficiency and production. Companies continually search for opportunities to gain a competitive edge over competitors through innovation and new technological creations. The HR function quickly continues to close the gap between contemporary

INFO SYSTEMS AND SOFTWARE ESSAY 5

information system technology capabilities and traditional HR functions. Data is increasingly strategic amongst businesses in all categorical industries, as access to data continues to progress toward being universal and seamless. Finally, people still remain as company’s core resource, so organizations must remain people-centric while maintaining functionality in business operation and productivity.

INFO SYSTEMS AND SOFTWARE ESSAY 6

ReferencesJ. I. Cash, Jr. and P. L. McLeod. (1985). Managing the Introduction of Information

Systems Technology in Strategically Dependent Companies. Journal of Management Information

Systems, Vol. 1, No. 4 (Spring, 1985), pp. 5-23. Published by: M.E. Sharpe, Inc. Retrieved from

http://www.jstor.org/stable/40397805A. R. Hendrickson. (2003). Human Resource Information

Systems: Backbone Technology of Contemporary Human Resources. Journal of Labor Research.

Volume XXIV, Number 3. Iowa State University, Ames, lA 50011. Retrieved from

http://www.springerlink.com/content/7tf03c73eayku8gv/export-citation/Aquent and Unica.

(2011). The Business Case for Marketing Resource Management (MRM): Increasing ROI

Through More Efficient Use of Marketing Resources. Aquent (aquent.com) and Unica

(unica.com). Retrieved from

http://www.aquent.us/elqNow/elqRedir.htm?ref=/dotAsset/222482.pdfM. C. Jones, C. P.

Armstrong, and T. D. Clark, Jr. (2007). The Dynamic Structure of Management Support Systems:

Theory Development, Research, Focus, and Direction. MIS Quarterly: Theory and Review, Vol.

31, No. 3. Retrieved from http://www.aquent.us/elqNow/elqRedir.htm?ref=/dotAsset/222482.pdf