Chapter 13 Organizing Information System Resources

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MIS Department

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Centralization and Decentralization

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Outsourcing Computer Facilities and Services

I. MIS Department 1. Basic Roles of MIS Department (p.510)

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Hardware acquisition and support

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Software acquisition and support

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Network support

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Software development

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Support end-user development

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Corporate Computing Standards

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Data and Database Administrator

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Security

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Advocacy roles

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Hardware acquisition and support

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Purchase, test, deliver and setup computers

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Fix or replace computers

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Routine maintenance

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Software acquisition and support

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Purchase and install

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User training and support

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Upgrade Network Support

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Wired and wireless

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Connections to Internet

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Network Security Software development

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MIS development team leader

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Select and schedule MIS projects

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Monitor progress

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Support end-user development

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Training and help desk

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Simple one-user system grows into large multiple user system (security, accuracy and so on)

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Set corporate data standards: data, files, software, hardware and hardware connections

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Data and data administration

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maintain and monitor performance of database

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Provide data integrity and security control

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Data backup and recovery

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Security

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Policies

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Control and monitor

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Advocacy roles: present benefits and strategic use of MIS.

2. MIS Jobs (p.516)

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Management: CIS/VP, Director

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Business oriented: system analyst

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Technical positions: network administrator, database administrator, telecommunication specialist, programmer

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Entry-level: help desk, PC technician

II. Centralization or Decentralization? (p.519) 1. Hardware

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Centralizing hardware

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Share hardware such as large computer, printer

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and so on.

Less duplication of hardware, software, data and MIS personnel.

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User access control

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Decentralizing hardware

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Price ($50,000 per MIPS vs.. $50 per MIPS)

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More efficient use of hardware Avoid total breakdown

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Personalized equipment

2. Software

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Centralizing software

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Standardization and compatibility

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Easier to install and upgrade A certain number of licenses shared by more users

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Buying discount

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Decentralizing software

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Speed

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Flexible to requirement of users

3. Data

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Centralizing data

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Easy to share data (concurrent access, data integrity, security control and monitoring access and usage)

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Easy to backup and recover

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Decentralizing data

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Faster data access (sometimes through data

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replication) Complete control of own data Easy access since users know what data they have and where data is located.

4. Personnel

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Centralizing personnel

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Group of specialized MIS personnel

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Ease of recruitment and training Professional career and promotion

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Easy to monitor MIS cost

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Decentralizing personnel

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Faster response to users’ needs

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Better understanding of users’ needs Better communication to users

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Different career path 5. Client/Server model combines both

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Items on server tend to be centralized and gain efficiencies from large scale of operation

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Items on client tend to be decentralized and flexibility

III. Outsourcing Computer Facilities and Services (p.517)

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Advantages

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Professional development teams

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Minimize management of IT development issues

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Easy to control costs

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Disadvantages

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Possible loss of control

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Security issues Who identify long-term competitive advantages

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Possible higher costs: your cost + profit margin