| IT (Information technology) provides commercial | | | | play in a business environment, it is considered |
| and industrial systems for businesses. These | | | | here as a major information technology for |
| systems enable businesses to function effectively | | | | businesses. |
| and efficiently. | | | | Management operates at different levels and so it |
| The use of information technology systems in a | | | | is possible to apply management information |
| business environment can be classified into four | | | | systems at these varied levels. |
| broad categories, namely, function, | | | | Basic examples of management information |
| communication, management and enterprise. | | | | systems are human resources management |
| Function IT Systems | | | | systems, financial management information |
| These applications allow individuals to function | | | | systems and marketing management information |
| effectively in the workplace. Examples of these | | | | systems. |
| systems are word processors, spreadsheets, | | | | Enterprise IT Systems |
| statistical analysis software and computer aided | | | | Enterprise IT systems are technologies designed |
| design (CAD). Employees can work and perform | | | | to integrate and manage entire business |
| their task individually or collectively using these | | | | processes for large organisations. Typically, |
| software technologies. | | | | enterprise application software is hosted on large |
| Network IT Systems | | | | servers over a computer network. Transmission |
| Network IT allow effective communication within | | | | of information can either be internal or external. |
| and outside an organisation. Examples range from | | | | Examples of enterprise information systems may |
| simple e-mail (electronic mail) to blogs, wiki, IM | | | | be accounting software, health care specific |
| (instant messaging) and electronic conferencing. | | | | software or electronic data Interchange (EDI). |
| These technologies promote interaction and | | | | Another example of software within this category |
| collaboration among working groups and also | | | | is CRM (Customer relationship management |
| facilitate quick information flow at all levels. | | | | software). |
| Management IT systems | | | | Information technology plays various roles in |
| MITS is a planned application that is designed to | | | | business, and provides a huge range of capabilities |
| process data and transform it into useful | | | | that enhance management performance. It is |
| information for management decision making. | | | | therefore important to understand the four major |
| In general, MIS are subsets of Enterprise IT | | | | categories of IT systems and their functions in a |
| systems. However, because of the vital role MIS | | | | business environment. |