Introduction to MIS
August 28 – September 1
What is MIS?
oIn the past, most workers were dedicated to physically producing products.
Today, the overwhelming majority of employees are knowledge workers. A
knowledge worker is a person that works with and produces information (p. 4).
oManagement information systems (MIS) is the planning, development,
management, and use of information technology tools to help people use
information more effectively (p. 4).
oThe sole focus of MIS is not technology. Instead, MIS focuses on how people
interact with technology in order to maximize the effectiveness of information (p.
5).
oExamples of ways MIS can help your organization:
Know and understand your competition.
Know your customers and provide them better service.
Work closely with business partners, particularly suppliers.
Know your organization better.
Trends in Today’s Economic Environment :
oSeveral terms have emerged to describe trends in today’s changing economic
environment.
oElectronic commerce is commerce made quicker and better by information
technology, particularly the Internet.
oTelecommuting is the use of communications technology (such as the Internet,
cell phones, etc.) to work in a place other than a central location (p. 5).
oThe now economy is characterized by the immediate access customers have to the
ordering of products and services.
