Monday, November 13, 2000		Article

MIS for business managers
by Sumesh Raizada

JUST as the Prime Minister is assisted by experts, who advise him on issues related to science, technology, literature, commerce, foreign affairs, or defence, similarly, in business, policy-makers seek logical and analytical suggestions from qualified professionals to take effective decisions.

Information system is extremely significant in the management of any manufacturing or service organisation. Computer nowadays is a powerful medium in the hands of the user that can process and analyse information generated or received. Thus, arose the need for the MIS or Management Information System, which is nothing but planning, implementing and controlling of information or data with the help of computer programs, thereby bringing out productive solutions.

MIS professionals are required almost in every field, including marketing, finance, production and information technology. A company has to deliver products or services to the customer in an innovative, effective and cost-efficient manner to gain profitability as well as to build lasting relationship. All this has to be done within a certain time frame. They, therefore hire services of the MIS specialists or consultants, who have the expertise, vision, and technique to provide a solution to business problems or needs. Whether it is the launch of a new product or establishing a venture in unrelated field, MIS professionals are always there to aid management.

Students who pursue a course in business management, computer science or engineering, can take up career in MIS. In this, an individual has to deal with networks, database maintenance, administration, design, end-user systems, and writes user-specific programs. Some MIS professionals may be proficient in all areas while others may specialise in specific field. Career opportunities are immense in manufacturing as well as service industry. In countries, like the USA, demand for qualified and trained MIS experts far exceeds the supply. They work as MIS executive, MIS manager, co-ordinator, database or network administrator.

MIS executives or related professionals are required to manage and compute information system. They must be able to determine the needs of the end-user or customer. They act as a liaison between the top management and computer staff. On the other hand, an MIS manager should be an expert in system analysis, besides being proficient in managerial activities. Desirably, they have to be qualified in business management and have strong roots in functional areas of finance and accounting, marketing and distribution, personnel and human resources. They must have analytical bent of mind and good interpersonal skills. The MIS professionals have to aware of the latest trends in information technology and on the latest software available so as to utilise them for the growth of organisation.

An MIS manager has additional responsibilities, which include recommending improvement and upgradation in computer hardware or software, training of information system staff, managing financial resources and developing strategies for the future. In large organisation, an MIS manager is usually of the level of GM and has decision-making power over all departments falling under the information services. These departments are mainly computer operations, systems and programming, technical support services, and network services. MIS professionals should be radical in their thinking and able to persuade the top management to introduce new business practices in order to improve operational efficiency. These professionals have to be proactive in building systems and integrating them with other organisational functions.

Some organisations may employ experienced persons without any formal degree in the MIS. However, for senior-level position companies mostly hire professionals from the field of computer sciences, business management or engineering. Most of the business schools offer MIS as an integral part of their curriculum in graduate or post-graduate management programs. An additional proficiency in some programming languages can increase the worth of a prospective MIS professional.

The primary focus of MIS course is on developing MIS-related knowledge and skills. The curriculum includes quantitative analysis and business information systems. These courses establish foundation for analysing various business processes and developing information systems as well as train students on techniques for integrating the functional units of an organisation. The MIS relevant courses prepare students to become effective system analysts with a proficiency in information technology. Important areas for MIS-related knowledge and skills include computer programming, systems analysis and design, database management and data communications.

Some foreign universities and colleges, like the University of Virginia, provide specific MIS degrees, like Masters of Science in MIS, to generate high achieving business and technology professionals. Certificate courses of one-year duration are designed for convenience of working professional. Curriculum provides latest IT skills with business and strategic management issues. Usually practising experts in the MIS from various areas form the part of the faculty. A virtual corporate environment is created for students through case studies and hands on experience.

Some other MIS-related courses include curriculum on developing decision-making skills of prospective MIS manager, with the help of data management, model management, user interface, organisational systems, applied artificial intelligence, knowledge acquisition and validation. A business applications programming and software course explores a problem-solving methodology that employs computer programming languages and software packages. Emphasis is to identify the capabilities of the languages in solving business problems. Students learn skills and techniques to solve the problems through a series of steps that involve identifying and formally defining a business problem, designing and representing the solution processes, writing program specifications, and documenting and defending the solutions. A learner is exposed to languages such as Basic, COBOL, Prolog, SQL and much newer languages such as HTML and Visual BASIC.

The marketing and accounting program in business schools introduce the student to the role of marketing and accountancy in the industry as well as in society. They are subjected to case studies, computer simulation, discussion, research reports, seminars, field projects, lectures, and expert speakers. The program is intended to train students in such areas as client relationship, sales, advertising and promotion, brand management, distribution, international marketing, marketing research, purchasing, product management, retailing, budgeting and managing finances.

Salaries earned by MIS professionals far exceed those in other occupations in terms of annual growth. However there might be variation in earnings of MIS professionals from industry to industry.

Some reputed companies where MIS professionals are in great demand are The Allied Group, Andersen Consulting, CompuCom Systems, Inc, Coopers & Lybrand, Dell Computer, IBM, Procter & Gamble, besides others.