Introduction of information system department

In early 1950s, the business started using computers to computing the resources in the organization. At the same time, information system department is owned to be person in charge in managing the resources with mainframe computer, which means the end users are actually did not interact with the computer. Today, millions of computers are located throughout the organization, and almost all the employee has their own computer to managing their works. As the result, the information system department no longer to be owns the organization’s information resources. However, instead of partnership between the information system department and end user, the information system department now acts as the consultant to end user, viewing them as the customer. In fact, the main function of information system department is to use information technology to solve the end users’ business problem.

Traditional Information System Function

• Managing systems development and system project management
• Managing computer operations, including the computer center
• Staffing, training and developing information system skills
• Providing technical services
• Infrastructure planning, development, and control

Reference:Essential Computing 2011

New Information system function

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  Initiating and designing specific strategic information systems
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  Incorporating the internet and electronic commerce into the business
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  Managing system integration including internet, intranets and extranets
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  Educating non information systems manager about information technology
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  Educating the information system staff about the business
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  Supporting end-user computing
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  Partnering with the executives
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  Managing outsourcing
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  Proactively using business and technical knowledge to seed innovative ideas about the information technology
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  Creating business alliances with vendors and information system departments in other organizations