Case Studies & Examples

Management information systems

The ubiquitous use of web browser technology means that there is an opportunity to deploy content rich management information systems bespoke to each client's needs on every desktop in the organisation.

Introduction

What is a management information system? Typically a computer based system which helps to bring together key roles within the organisation to share information on how the business performs.

Typically the MIS system might usefully contain:

Recording of data related to the support functions

• Sales data and sales orders
• Purchasing information
• Accounts and payroll information
• Information regarding the business plans, risk registers etc
• Client information often linked to a CRM or customer relationship management module

Performance Monitoring

• This would often include production information
• Location and whereabouts of work in progress WIP
• Productivity and product lifecycle information

Decision Making and Strategic Support

• The system will maybe have access to financial information to try "what if" scenarios.
• It should inform the company strategy by referring back to the overall mission and business objectives.

Examples

Nexus Internet Solutions Ltd has worked on various bespoke web applications using its skilled developers, analysts and management staff to consult with firms about what is needed to deliver such Management Information Systems (MIS). Strategic Decision making and "what if" scenario modelling

We currently supply and deploy Through Life Management Planning (TLMP) tools to UK Ministry of Defence (M.O.D) in conjunction with our consultancy partners TLM Solutions Ltd.

The concept of through life management is to allow organisations with extended project lifetimes to plan effectively through the life cycle of that product or system changes which may occur and be "emergent" within their business. In the case of MOD deployment of costly infrastructure and equipment is a perfect example.

Not only do these systems allow companies and organisations to share plans and projections but the deployment in conjunction with a document management system allows contributions and knowledge sharing within an organisation which encourages cultural change.

The scenario modeling option in the TLMP allows managers and budget holders to alter individual contracts values without altering the five year plan to see how changes may roll out.

Accounts information

Contract accruals and real world figures from individual contract totals "in year" are used to help formulate the five year financial plans and produce reports to management up through the MOD structure.

Rather than this be a purely financial or accounts exercise TLMP encourages "desk officers" and contract owners to update the contract information that they are responsible for. This means that the contract owners forecast the payments moving forward to allow management to budget more effectively.

Production Control

The production systems that we have produced for H Tempest Photographic allow traceability and control of work in progress throughout the factory and a management view on where exactly each individual photograph is. We achieved this through the use of custom tracking points within the factory which are recorded through the use of handheld bar code scanners carried by production staff.

Customer Care

Because of the tracking point implementations within the H Tempest laboratory system we are able to deliver customer care systems available to others within the organisation. This means that a customer ringing to progress an order can be put in touch with staff who can identify exactly where in the production lifecycle the product is.

Payroll and personnel

A system we are currently developing for a company involved in mystery visits to licensed premises requires a system that means that personnel files are updated remotely by its UK wide researchers. This means that HR details are always up to date with changes in researcher preferences for work and their contact details.

Each time one of the researchers submits a form the form is processed electronically and their expenses and wages are worked out automatically and passed on to the accounts package. Furthermore the researchers can then go online and see which jobs they have completed and the monies that have been paid to them.

Job Allocation

In the researcher system described above the staff at the business in question allocate visits to those researchers that match the profile of the premises in question eg. Location, age, sex, type of visit. The researchers are then shortlisted to be offered the option of taking the visit and all of this is tracked online.

Summary

To conclude it is fair to say that over the years we have developed a variety of systems for use internally by organisations and in the wider context via Extranet and secure networks that have allowed cultural change and real benefits in business productivity and effectiveness.

If you wish to find out if we can help you with your unique problems by bringing to bear some of our experience contact us now on 01273 384250 or fill in the contact form on this page.

External links

Wikipedia Management Information Systems (MIS)