A summary of benefits as identified by various sources:
From: https://eventura.com/news/five-benefits-fully-integrated-information-system/
The top five benefits of a fully integrated information system are:
1. Real Time Data
Through having integrated information in one system, all of the data is up to date. This is essential for all elements of the organisation ranging from marketing communications through to finance.
2. Better Communication
Team members will be able to communicate better through having exactly the same information available to them at each time. Its saves having to mis-match data between systems and departments.
3. Reduced Risk of Errors
Due to the fact that data will not have to be replicated, there is less chance of human errors being made which leads to more accurate information available.
4. Greater Productivity
Employees can spend more time on tasks that will help the business to grow, rather than having to replicate data and wait for information to be sent to them from other departments.
5. One Secure Location
Through having all of the necessary data stored in one information system, relevant data is easier for employees to access. Many leading business systems allow restrictions on what individual employees are allowed to access so sensitive information can be seen only by those who need it.
From: https://smallbusiness.chron.com/tangible-benefits-information-systems-50155.html
Tangible Benefits of Information Systems
The primary benefit of information systems is their ability to provide a user with the information needed to do any task effectively and efficiently. Computer databases and paper records provide data, but information systems provide the appropriate data about each user’s tasks in a format best suited to that user. Information systems can present real-time or archived data as needed and are adaptable to new or modified information requirements.
Custom Information
An information system provides each user the information he needs to make decisions or take action. A sales manager looking at sales data may see an overall picture of her department’s activities during the current week, while a salesperson, using the same data set, sees his records displayed so that they indicate what customers have or haven’t been contacted. Digging the information out of a paper record system would take much longer, be more prone to missed data and cost more to produce than the time and expense needed by a clerical person to key in the data.
Custom Formats
Custom formats make information systems more effective because the data is easier to use. A salesperson seeking information about his week’s productivity might see on his screen a list of his contacts and the recent purchase orders of each. The sales manager, based on the same data set, may see a pie chart showing each sales representative‘s share of total sales and a bar graph displaying the volume of sales for each product, while another screen might display the same data compared to an earlier time period. An accountant looking at the same data might have a listing of the dollars generated by each sales representative and the total dollars generated for each product.
Real-Time Information
An information system can be a boon to a manufacturing operation. If a production line stops, the real-time information provided can help the line operator quickly determine if the shutdown is the result of a mechanical failure, a lack of product or some other cause. The benefit is having immediate data converted to useful information presented to people who can act upon it.
Adaptability
Information systems are flexible and can be reprogrammed to grow with the need. Often, individual parts of the system can be upgraded and installed without disruption of the total system.
From: https://www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/content/benefits-information-systems-business
Benefits of information systems in business
Even the simplest use of technology can dramatically improve your business’ productivity and efficiency. Arguably, the greatest advantage of information systems is their ability to give users the information they need to carry out tasks efficiently.
Importance of information systems
IT systems can produce:
- custom data to help with a specific task or decision-making
- custom format (eg list, chart, etc) which can be tailored to the user need
- real-time data, particularly useful where fast action is needed (eg mechanical fault)
- archived data, particularly useful for reports, analysis and business planning
Other ways information systems help businesses
Technology can also benefit a business by enabling:
- operational efficiencies
- cost reductions
- supply of information to decision-makers
- better customer service
- continuous availability of the systems
- growth in communication capabilities and methods
To maximise the benefits of your IT system, you have to fully utilise all its features and functions. For example, you can:
- Use instant messaging, emails, voice and video calls, and even chatbot technology to improve communication with customers and suppliers. This could save you time, money and effort, allowing you to react quickly to new work.
- Integrate various IT systems to reduce administrative costs. For example, you can link your online e-commerce shop front with stock control and accounting systems to streamline your processes. See how to integrate your back-office systems.
- Use labelling products with unique numbers and scannable bar codes to boost your efficiency, and improve your stock control and supply chain management.
- Use different solutions, such as customer management systems or mobile technologies, to improve levels of customer service. These may help you record, organise and plan contact with customers, access customer details on the go and view customer interactions Read more about customer relationship management and mobile technology.
It is important to weigh up benefits of new IT systems against the costs and potential challenges. One way to ensure that your system delivers value to your business is to align it with your business priorities. See how to align IT with your business strategy.
