Information system for the Beale and Cole Company
Many companies have adopted the management information system (MSI) which is a computerized database from which all the information concerning a company is processed to support the management and organization of the recurrent activities in a company. MIS usually provide efficiency and easiness when the need for making strategic decision making arises (Griffiths, 2011). In this regard, Beale and Cole has been marked as one of the companies that have experienced the highest levels of growth in its business because of embracing the management information system. A number of positive changes such as the replacement of old accounting system with a new one, implementation of the new business systems and other changes have been reached successfully. Despite various challenges such as sustaining the competitive and sustaining the rapid growth, Beale and Cole have now supported itself fully through the integration of the MIS. The company got into a coalition with the University of Plymouth and formed partnership with an aim of supporting the MIS system in 2003. The main objective of the coalition was to establish and sustain integrated business which would in turn streamline all the management operations (Griffiths, 2011).
Initially, Beale and Cole was experiencing lack of uniformity and integration that really became a concern. The company used bespoke systems which used the manual system of traditional document control process which was complicated and tiresome and time consuming. In order to eradicate various enhancements had to be made. They include the establishment of timesheets which played a very important role in reducing payment errors, eliminated duplication and saved time for the staff members approximately half a day per week. The Beale and Cole Company also improved the telephony system and also changed the supplier and this enhancement also saved time and expenditure in a considerable amount (Griffiths, 2011).
The company also made standardization for various forms and procedures in between various sites. This reduced the chances of making errors when keying in business details as well as the elimination of duplication. Another significant move was seen when the company started to implement for a suitable filing structure that enhanced the ease of accessibility and the archiving capabilities. Lastly, the company managed to design and develop a website which is currently a professional image. The website has highlighted the various areas of specification and how projects are being executed in the Beale and Cole Company (Griffiths, 2011). The website has been a great boost in marketing and opening doors for further developments and has played a major role in integrating the business. The integration step-up of the Beale and Cole Company has placed it on a higher competitive platform which is marketed through various ways. First, the information systems have streamlined the communication system which is the major link to the customers (Griffiths, 2011). The company has managed to establish excellent customer relations. The new system has also improved the various controls of tactical and strategic planning including the documentation of systems using the ISO standards. In addition, the system enhancement has become a turnover through which business growth has been realized hence increasing the profitability of the business (Griffiths, 2011).
The implementation of business plans is basically the decision making process after which the business is seen moving. Plan implementation being a vital aspect of any business success, the management and information system has been confirmed to the fundamental facet of business especially in the trending world. Consequently, business good decisions results from a good management of information systems. The Beale and Cole Company had prefigured this secret and hence it was ready to introduce the adjustments in the information systems. The various plans that Beale and Cole Company made in order to succeed are worth analyzing because any standard business could apply and succeed. First, the management made plans of how the company shall effectively and efficiently make use of its resources. The company went further and dug dipper into understanding its full capabilities and the standards it was in the sector of management information technology systems. The other implementation plan was to identify and map out a recommendation list that of the nature of the proposed new IT systems which included the internal skills development, the hardware and the software. This plan was able to weigh and review the current business capabilities and the quality of scalability. In this regard, the Beale and Cole Company made plans of how the new system would function (Griffiths, 2011).
The Beale and Cole Company utilized every resource to ensure that the company’s value has grown. First the company used the MIS to increase the sales which were a turn over for the growth of the business. This was through the company’s website where sales and marketing was intensively done and more customers accessed the company’s products online. The company also used the information system to improve the business’ integration. This boosted the efficacy of communication especially that which was done between the operational sites of the business. Communication to the customers was also integrated and a streamline flow of information played a significant role (Griffiths, 2011). On the same note, the company used the timesheets to improve how the information was managed throughout the operational implementation of the company’s strategic plan. The Beale and Cole Company further used the information systems in building the companies competitive potential which has actually helped it to grow in its market and enjoy all the competitive advantages that accompany good management information systems. Finally, the company used the MIS to create opportunities for future training and further expansion of the company. Through the development of the new database register for the form, the company has streamlined the flow o data both internally and externally.
The Beale and Cole Company is currently using the enterprise resource planning type which involves the integration of the software applications for various operations in the company. The enterprise is focusing more on integrating the software modules including sales and quality management of the products of the company (Griffiths, 2011).
The Beale and Cole Company paused to reflect of the future of the business where they came up with a strategic plan and operational plans. The plans were presentment in form of objectives. First, the company planned to document the ISO standards after which dissemination would occur throughout the company. The company also planned to re-design the business processes and how the new system would be seamlessly implemented. In addition, the management of the company had also planned to assess the new information system by reviewing the output of the company (Griffiths, 2011).
Reference
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Griffiths, P. (2011). Strategy-technology alignment: Deriving business value from ict projects. Place of publication not identified: Academic Pub.
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