Nowadays, information systems have become intertwined with businesses and the efficiency/profitability of their ventures. Usually when using a manual system we just do this by human nature but it is impossible to run an efficient business in this day and age without some sort of computerized information system and automation. The information system provides valuable feedback to the organization, which in turn allows the company to doctor their modus operandi for maximum profit. I believe I have come to the point where I don’t even consciously think about technology and information systems as something that is a separate entity for a business to operate. To me it is something that is very obviously and essentially one with it. I can’t possibly even think about having a business or company without the use of some type of information systems. Everyday from college coursework to actual work for my job I am working with information systems without even thinking about it or classifying it. Until now I thought that information systems were something so obviously necessary that I didn’t even have to think twice about them.
I know for a fact that without the use of information systems, my nightlife and promotions business would not have thrived. I used mailing lists and mass emails through websites such as constantcontact.com and party listings on joonbug.com which served as a great way to reach out to people. On top of this social networks such as facebook serve as a great marketing tool as well. The majority of the people that would come out to my events would hear about it through facebook – events consisting of 1000-1200 people. Then there is also the use of MS Excel to keep track of tickets and various different money allocations and logistics as well. We successfully built a annual dance competition with 2000 people in attendance every year since 2006 through the use of internet marketing in various universities.
This brings me to the point of competitive advantage. Having a significantly well-developed information system that provides extensive feedback will give a company a great deal of competitive advantage of other companies. It allows companies to work more efficiently, employ less people, and use fewer resources. Competitive advantage is especially important in certain fields such as radiology/imaging centers as well. Nowadays, qualified radiologists and good employees are just not enough to thrive. Information technologies must be fully integrated where one application serves various functions such as: PACS, RIS, dictation, speech recognition, reporting, scheduling, and more. Few lessons derived from business automation include a systematic operational approach, eliminating activities that do not add value, continuously monitor processes to optimize workplace efficiency, mass customize to serve customers, measure and market your successes internally and externally, and look for profits on the leading edge. (1)
“These examples are not unusual. With great speed, the sharp reduction in the cost of information systems (IS)technology (i.e., computers, remote devices, and telecommunications1) has allowed computer systems to move from applications for back-office support to those offering significant competitive advantage. Particularly outstanding are systems that link customer and supplier.”(2) Examples of this are CAD installations in an aerospace company that dramatically reduce total cost and time of design changes, parts acquisition, and inventory which in turn makes the company more competitive. (2)
There is a change that is taking place in the global economy and companies that fall behind in keeping up with IT systems will not be sustainable. We as people are slowly becoming "one" with technology and if companies aren’t able to adopt these new practices they will inevitably falter. I honestly believe that we are moving in the right direction and we too will have information systems embedded in us in the next 100 years as we approach the technological singularity.
1. Using Information Technology as a Competitive Advantage (http://www.dominator.com/assets/006/5631.pdf)
2. Information Technology Changes the Way You Compete(http://www.forofca.com/temas/Technology_Changes.pdf)
3.Competitive Advantage of Information Technology http://ivythesis.typepad.com/term_paper_topics/2010/07/competitive-advantage-of-information-technology.html
4 . Technological Singularity Wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technological_singularity)
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