MIS Notes Unit 1
What is System?
System is the Set of Interrelated components, with clearly defined boundary,
working together to achieve common set of objectives.
Information System overview
An Information System is a system that gathers data and disseminates information
with the sole purpose of providing information to its users. The main object of an
information system is to provide information to its users. Information systems vary
according to the type of users who use the system.
A Management Information System is an information system that evaluates,
analyzes, and processes an organization's data to produce meaningful and useful
information based on which the management can take right decisions to ensure
future growth of the organization.
Information Definition
"Information can be recorded as signs, or transmitted as signals. Information is any
kind of event that affects the state of a dynamic system that can interpret the
information.
Conceptually, information is the message (utterance or expression) being
conveyed. Therefore, in a general sense, information is "Knowledge communicated
or received, concerning a particular fact or circumstance". Information cannot be
predicted and resolves uncertainty."
Information vs Data
Data can be described as unprocessed facts and figures. Plain collected data as raw
facts cannot help in decision-making. However, data is the raw material that is
organized, structured, and interpreted to create useful information systems.
Data is defined as 'groups of non-random symbols in the form of text, images,
voice representing quantities, action and objects'. Information is interpreted data;
created from organized, structured, and processed data in a particular context.
According to Davis and Olson: "Information is a data that has been processed
into a form that is meaningful to recipient and is of real or perceived value in
the current or the prospective action or decision of recipient."
Role of MIS in Business Organization
 The MIS is defined as a system based on the database of the evolved for the
purpose of providing information to the people in the organization.
 Management information systems are distinct from regular information
systems in that they are used to analyze other information systems applied in
operational activities in the organization. MIS involve three primary
resources: technology, information, and people.
 MIS provides information for the managerial activities in an organization.
 MIS provides accurate and timely information necessary to facilitate the
decision making process and enable the organizations planning, control and
operational functions to be carried out effectively.
 MIS provides Right information, to the right person, at the right place, at the
right time, in the right form and at the right cost.
 The role of MIS in an organization can be compared to the role of heart in
the body.
 The information is the blood and MIS is the heart. In the body the heart
plays the role of supplying pure blood to all the elements of the body
including the brain.
 The MIS plays exactly the same role in the organization.
 The system ensures that an appropriate data is collected from the various
sources, processed, and sent further to all the needy destinations.
 The system is expected to fulfill the information needs of an individual, a
group of individuals, the management functionaries: the managers and the
top management.
 The MIS satisfies the diverse needs through a variety of systems such as
Query Systems, Analysis Systems, Modeling Systems and Decision Support
Systems.
 The MIS helps in Strategic Planning, Management Control, Operational
Control and Transaction Processing.
Purpose and Objectives of MIS in Business Organization
• To provide information for planning, organizing and controlling purposes.
• To store and manage data efficiently from all the functional areas of the
business.
• To process the collected data and derive information out of them.
• To provide information quickly as and when required.
•
To reduce the risk and uncertainties in the managerial decision-making.
• To collect and store the data for the purpose of internal research.
• To assist in identifying the managerial problems and their solution.
• To provide information regarding work force planning.
• To provide the information regarding the financial health of the business
organization.
• To provide information regarding production and inventory.
• To provide information regarding sales and other marketing aspects i.e.
product, price, promotion, market, physical distribution, payment collection,
market segmentation etc.
• To speed up the execution of the results with the reliable data available.
• To smooth up the flow of data through various levels of the organization.
• To provide information regarding work force planning.
• To provide the information regarding the financial health of the business
organization.
• To speed up the execution of the results with the reliable data available.
• To smooth up the flow of data through various level of the organization.
Importance of MIS
• It helps in minimizing risk in decision making.
• It processes the data and derives information out of them.
• It provides information about the various aspects of business.
• It helps the executives to avail the information regarding the functional areas
quickly.
• The database helps in inducting research. The data stored are used as
secondary data.
• It provides sound information regarding the financial health of business
organization.
• It helps in preparing corporate report.
• It helps the HRD manager in finding out the requirement of the human
resource, their wages and salary, performance appraisal, training, promotion,
absenteeism and employee’s turnover, which is useful in drafting sound
HRD polices.
• The data regarding production helps the production manager in deciding
about capacity utilization, number of rejections per batch, frequency of
break down, status of shipment of processed order and product, region wise.
• It provides information regarding inventory position, and ensures that the
chances of inventory out of stock may be minimized.
• It provides information regarding product, price, promotion, segmentation,
demand, sale etc. to marketing manager instantly and ensures smooth
functioning of that department.
Characteristics of MIS
Management-oriented: The basic objective of MIS is to provide
information support to the management in the organization for
decision making.
Management directed: When MIS is management-oriented, it
should be directed by the management because it is the
management who tells their needs and requirements more
effectively than anybody else.
Integrated: It means a comprehensive or complete view of all the
subsystems in the organization of a company.
Common data flows: The integration of different subsystems will
lead to a common data flow which will further help in avoiding
duplicacy and redundancy in data collection, storage and
processing.
Heavy planning-element: The preparation of MIS is not a one or
two day exercise. It usually takes 3 to 5 years and sometimes a
much longer period.
Subsystem concept: When a problem is seen in 2 sub parts, then
the better solution to the problem is possible.
Common database: This is the basic feature of MIS to achieve the
objective of using MIS in business organizations.
Computerized: MIS can be used without a computer. But the use
of computers increases the effectiveness and the efficiency of the
system.
User friendly/Flexibility: An MIS should be flexible.
Information as a resource: Information is the major ingredient of
any MIS.
Features of MIS
Timeliness
Accuracy
Completeness
Relevance
Consistency
Component of MIS
Marketing Research System (MRS)
Marketing research can be seen as the systematic and objective search for
analysis of data and information relevant to the identification and solution of
any problem in the field of marketing.
Marketing Intelligence System (MIS)
The process of acquiring and analyzing information in order to understand
the market (both existing and potential customers) to determine the current
and future needs and preferences, attitudes and behavior of the market; and
to assess changes in the business environment that may affect the size and
nature of the market in the future.
Internal Record System (IRS)
Marketing managers rely on internal reports on orders, sales, prices, costs,
inventory levels, receivables, payables, and so on. By analyzing this
information, they can spot important opportunities and problems.
Decision Support System(DSS)
A decision support system (DSS) is a computer-based information system
that supports business or organizational decision-making activities.
DSS serve the management, operations, and planning levels of an
organization and help to make decisions, which may be rapidly changing
and not easily specified in advance.
Types of MIS
Transaction processing systems: These systems process a large
volume of routine, recurring transactions.
Operations
information
systems:
These
systems
gather
comprehensive data, organize it and summarize it in a form that is
useful for managers.
Decision support systems: These systems help mangers with the
necessary information to make intelligent decisions.
Expert systems: They are meant to mimic humans in making
decisions in a specific field.
Elements of MIS
Executives: Executives are the people who utilize MIS. These people are
computer professionals who operate MIS for data processing to achieve
organizational goals like planning and decision-making.
Hardware: The hardware components of MIS include various input and output
devices that helps in feeding data as well as displaying the information when
required. The input devices include the keyboard, scanners and mouse. The output
devices may be the monitor, printer, network devices, and so on.
Software: Computer programs which are designed to do a specific task for
example, MS Office, Banking Software’s, Railway’s applications etc, different
kinds of software available to process the data/information in an organization such
as ERP (enterprise resource planning) and CRM (customer relationship
management).
Organizational Procedures: Procedures are sets of rules or guidelines that an
organization establishes for the use of a computer-based information system. The
procedures may vary from one organization to another. It may also vary from one
department to another as per the requirement. For example, the working of
production department is different from the working of sales department. The
production department requires information regarding the raw material or quantity
of goods to be produced. So, the production department sets its procedures in such
a way that the MIS system helps in retrieving the information required by the
department. In the similar way, the sales department requires information
regarding the quantity of goods sold and the other expenses that occurred during
the sales of the product. Therefore, the sales department sets the procedures in such
a way that they get only that information which is required from the MIS.
Output Of MIS
 Scheduled reports: which are produced periodically, or on a Schedule
(daily, weekly, monthly).
 Key-indicator report:
which summarizes the previous day’s critical
activities and also it is typically available at the beginning of each day.
 Demand report : Which gives certain information at a manager’s request.
 Exception report : Which is automatically produced when a situation
is unusual or requires management action.
Benefits of MIS
 It improves personal efficiency.
 It expedites problem solving(speed up the progress of problems solving in an
organization).
 It facilitates interpersonal communication.
 It promotes learning or training.
 It increases organizational control.
 It generates new evidence in support of a decision.
 It creates a competitive advantage over competition.
 It encourages exploration and discovery on the part of the decision maker.
 It reveals new approaches to thinking about the problem space.
 It helps automate the Managerial processes.
Functions of MIS
To collect useful data: MIS executes the data through computer system using the
sources of an organization. The organizational data is stores in computer system or
as a paper record by its end users.
Data Processing: Processing data includes converting the storage data into the
required information to take beneficial actions. Data processing includes
mathematical and logical operations like, calculations, sorting, classifying and
summarizing the data. The data processing signifies processing activities as:
•
•
•
•
•
Organize data
Analysis on data
Apply statistical, mathematical, operations
To create predictive modeling
Research and forecasting
Information storage and retrieval: MIS stores data as an organizational record
and processed for future use. The data organizes as a fields, records, files and
databases for future use. Information retrieval comprises to access the stored data
as per the requirements of the management users.
Disseminating management information: Information of finished product is
categorizes and dispersed to the users in an organization as per the needs. This
information could be periodic, through reports or online through computer
terminals. Figure shows various functions performed by MIS.
Pre-requisites of an effective MIS
 Qualified system and Management Staff
 Control and Maintenance of MIS
 Common Data Base
 Evolution of MIS
 Support of Top Management
Qualified system and Management Staff
System and Computer Experts: Who in addition to their expertise in their
subject area, they should also be capable of understanding management concepts
to facilitate the understanding of problems asked by concern. They should also be
clear about the process of decision making and information requirements for
planning.
Management experts: Who should also understand quite clearly the concepts and
operations of Computer. This basic knowledge of computer will be useful will
place them in a comfortable position, while working with systems, technicians in
designing or otherwise, of the information system.
Control and Maintenance of MIS
 Control of the MIS means the operations of the system as it was designed to
operate. Sometimes, users develop their own procedure or short cut methods
to use the system which reduces its effectiveness. To check such habits of
users, the management at each level in the organization should device
checks for information system control.
 Maintenance is closely related to control. There are times when the need for
improvement to the system will be discovered. Formal methods for changing
and documenting changes must be provided.
Common Data Base
 It is an integrated collection of data and information which is utilized by
several information sub systems of an organization.
 A common database may be defined as a super file which consolidates and
integrates data records formerly stored in a separate data file. Such a
database can be organized as an integrated collection of data records into a
single super file or it can be organized as an integrated collection of several
data file.
Evolution of MIS
 An effective MIS should be capable of meeting the information
requirements of its executives in future as well. It requires timely actions.
 The evolution of MIS should take into account the following points:
1. Ascertaining the views of users and the designers about the capabilities and
deficiencies of the system.
2. Guiding the appropriate authority about the steps to be taken to keep the
effectiveness of MIS alive.
3. Examining whether enough flexibility exists in the system, to cope up with
any expected information requirement in future.
Support of Top Management
 For a management information system to be effective, it is essential that it
must receive the full support of top management.
 The reasons for this are as follows:
1. Subordinate managers are usually lethargic about activities which do not
receive the support of their superiors (top management).
2. The resources involved in computer based information system are large and are
growing larger and larger in view of importance gained by management
information system.
 To gain the support of top management, the officers should place, before top
management, all the supporting facts and state clearly the benefits which
will accrue from it to the organization.
 This step will certainly enlighten management and will change their attitude
towards MIS. Their whole hearted support and co-operation will help in
making MIS an effective and successful one.
MIS Applications in Business
MIS application in business falls into several different categories that provide
information on all forms of functioning within an organization. Executives and
departments within an organization could obtain any of the following forms of data:
•
Business Intelligence System: In BI, all levels of management and executives can
print data and graphs showing information or trends relating to growth, costs, strategic
control, efficiency, risk and performance.
•
Executive Information System: An EI system provides the same information as a BI
system, but with greater attention to detail and more confidential information, designed
to help top-level executives make choices that impact the entire organization.
•
Marketing Information System: MI systems provide data about past marketing
campaigns so that marketing executives can determine what works, what does not
work and what they need to change in order to achieve the desired results.
•
Transaction Processing System: TPS handles sales transactions and makes it
possible for customers to sort search results by size, color or price. This system can
also track trends related to sales and search results.
•
Customer Relationship Management System: Keeping up with customers is key to
overall success, and CRMS helps companies know when and how to follow up with
customers in order to encourage an ongoing sales relationship with them.
•
Sales Force Automation System: Gone are the days when sales teams must do
everything manually. SFA systems automate much of what must be done for orders
and to obtain customer information.
•
Human Resource Management System: HRM systems track how much employees
are paid, when and how they are performing. Companies can use this information to
help improve performance or the bottom line.
•
Knowledge Management System: Customers with questions want answers right
away and knowledge management systems allow them to access frequently asked
questions or troubleshoot on their own timetable.
•
Financial Accounting System: Financial accounting systems help to track accounts
receivable and accounts payable, in order to best manage the cash flow of a
company.
•
Supply Chain Management System: SCM systems record and manage the supply of
finances, goods and data from the point of origin domestically or abroad, all the way to
its destination in the hands of a customer.
Information in Decision Making
Meaning

Decision making is a process of selecting the best among the different
alternatives. It is the act of making a choice. There are so many alternatives
found in the organization and departments.
 Decision making is defined as the selection of choice of one best alternative.
Before making decisions all alternatives should be evaluated from which
advantages and disadvantages are known. It helps to make the best
decisions.
Importance
 Implementation of managerial function: Without decision making
different managerial function such as planning, organizing, directing,
controlling, staffing can’t be conducted. In other words, when an employee
does, s/he does the work through decision making function. Therefore, we
can say that decision is important element to implement the managerial
function.
 Pervasiveness of decision making: The decision is made in all managerial
activities and in all functions of the organization. It must be taken by all
staff. Without decision making any kinds of function is not possible. So it is
pervasive.
 Evaluation of managerial performance: Decisions can evaluate
managerial performance. When decision is correct it is understood that the
manager is qualified, able and efficient. When the decision is wrong, it is
understood that the manager is disqualified. So decision making evaluate the
managerial performance.
 Helpful in planning and policies: Any policy or plan is established through
decision making. Without decision making, no plans and policies are
performed. In the process of making plans, appropriate decisions must be
made from so many alternatives. Therefore decision making is an important
process which is helpful in planning.
 Selecting the best alternatives: Decision making is the process of selecting
the best alternatives. It is necessary in every organization because there are
many alternatives. So decision makers evaluate various advantages and
disadvantages of every alternative and select the best alternative.
 Successful operation of business: Every individual, departments and
organization make the decisions. In this competitive world; organization can
exist when the correct and appropriate decisions are made. Therefore correct
decisions help in successful operation of business.
Sources of Information in Decision Making
Sources located in your
Business
Internal Statistics
IT Department
Finance Department
Sales Department
Colleagues
Researchers
Business Library
Market Research
Sources located outside your Business
Family
Friends
Contacts
Competitors
Stakeholders
Events
Publications
Press Releases
External Researchers
Universities
Media
Internet
Social Media
Research Publications
Industry News
Consultants
Types of Information
Instructions
Answers
Command
Historical
Advisory
Predictive.
 Instructions: It refers to information that guides behavior in a particular
way. In other words, it supports performance to carry out a task by
prompting on what to do and when to do it. A simple sign telling people to
enter or not enter a door would be one example.
 Command: Messages give a very straightforward statement on what is or
what is not permitted. 'Do not enter', 'do not smoke', 'do not eat or drink', are
examples of command messages. Sometimes they are similar to instructions,
but are much more focused on simple statements that refer to high priority
items.
 Advisory: Messages are somewhat watered down versions of command
messages. In some cases, these will be recommendations to avoid a
situation, at other times they would be information allowing for the
preparation or planning of particular activities. For example, we might be
advised that our train is late by a spoken message and we might, possibly, be
given an accurate time estimate for when the train will be available.
 Answers: Information may be provided in response to a particular enquiry
that has been made. This is typical of an interactive information handling
situation, where we have a particular question in mind or degree of
uncertainty and we seek information from a source with regard to removing
that uncertainty. It turns out that most of the information that is sought from
displays is of the answer kind. If we want to know what the time of day is,
we look at our watches and clocks to find the answer.
 Historical: Displays are used to look back at the state of a variable over a
period of minutes, hours, days or even years. A graphical representation of
road accidents over the last century would be a historical display of
information. If we want to know what the temperature fluctuation has been
in an office on a daily basis, then specialist devices can be brought in and
placed in the office that will give a pen recording over a fixed period of
time. It is much easier to see if there is a trend in information if it is
displayed in this way.
 Predictive: Displays are much more specialized, but increasingly found in
complex processes. In the same way that historical data support performance
in making a judgment based on the current value, predictive information
enables examination of the current value and indicates any likely change in
the future.
Predictor displays enable better control over vehicles, typically at sea or
airborne, and enable smoother transitions from one state to another. They are
used in slow response systems where it is difficult to see the immediate
effect of an action that has been carried out.
Predictive displays will enable a variable to be plotted into the future. The
same graphs that are used as historical displays can also be used as
predictive displays. If a steady decline in road accidents over time is seen,
then the best prediction of the future would be a continued decline.
Information Requirements with particular reference to
Management Levels
Information as required at different levels of management can be classified
as: Operational
 Tactical
 Strategic
Operational : Operational information relates to the day-to-day operations
of the organization and thus, is useful in exercising control over the
operations that are repetitive in nature. Since such activities are controlled
at lower levels of management, operational information is needed by the
lower management. For example, the information regarding the cash
position on day to day basis is monitored and controlled at the lower levels
of management.
The operational information pertains to activities that are easily measurable
by specific standards. The operational information mainly relates to current
and historical performance, and is based primarily on internal sources of
data.
Tactical: Tactical information helps middle level managers allocating
resources and establishing controls to implement the top level plans of the
organization. For example, Information regarding the alternative sources of
funds and their uses in the short run, opportunities for deployment of surplus
funds in short term securities, etc. may be required at the middle levels of
management. The tactical information is generally predictive, focusing on
short term trends. It may be partly current and partly historical, and may
come from internal as well as external sources.
 Strategic: While the operational information is needed to find out how the
given activity can be performed better, strategic information is needed for
making choices among the business options.
The strategic information helps in identifying and evaluating these options
so that a manager makes informed choices which are different from the
competitors and the limitations of what the rivals are doing or planning to
do. Such choices are made by leaders only.
Strategic information is used by managers to define goals and priorities,
initiate new programs and develop policies for acquisition and use of
corporate resources. For example, information regarding the long-term needs
of funds for ongoing and future projects of the company may be used by top
level managers in taking decision regarding going public or approaching
financial institutions for term loan.
Strategic information is predictive in nature, relies heavily on external
sources of data, has a long term perspective, and is mostly in summary form.
It may be remembered that each type of information has its role to play in
managerial effectiveness. Each type of information is needed with varying
degree by the managers at all levels. Thus, a part of operational information
may be used even by the chief executive officer of a company.
Relevance of Information in Decision Making
 Managerial decision making is a process of making choices. If a choice is to
be made among alternatives, there must be differences among the
alternatives. Relevant information should be used by the decision maker in
evaluating the alternatives and in making decisions.
 Relevant information has two characteristics:
1. Impact on the Future: Relevant information has bearing on the future.
Relevant information focuses on the future because every decision deals
with selecting courses of action for the future.
Nothing can be done to alter the past. The consequences of decisions are
born in the future, not the past. Information to be relevant (i.e. relevant
costs and benefits) to a decision should imply a future event.
Since relevant information involves future events, the managerial
accountant must predict the amounts of the relevant costs and benefits. In
making these predictions, the accountant often will use estimates of cost
behavior based on historical data. There is an important and subtle issue
here.
Relevant information must involve costs and benefits to be realized in the
future. However, the accountant’s predictions of those costs and benefits
often are based on data from the past.
2. Different under Different Alternatives: Relevant information includes
costs and benefits that differ among the alternatives. Expected future
revenues and costs that do not differ or remain the same across
alternatives have no impact on the decision and therefore irrelevant and
should be eliminated from the relevant information analysis.
 Further, in relevant information, due weight-age must be given to qualitative
factors and quantitative non financial factors.
 According to Hilton, information to be useful for decision making should
possess three characteristics:
1. Relevance
2. Accuracy
3. Timeliness