Businesses today need information as the foundation of their online digital presence in today’s highly competitive growing markets. Business intelligence is on the rise and companies are paying huge amounts for information, research and mainly data of some form. Most of this can’t be visually seen, so their impact threats and issues will play a huge role on the development of large corporations. Huge amounts have been invested, entrepreneurs are on the rise and creative transparency is a main discussion. Because of the fast pace advances of technology there will be failures and improvements that have never been seen before. Technology has brought people together much more quickly and humans can communicate on a much larger scale due to mobile phones, emails, laptops etc. More will be invested on mobile technology and huge amounts of money will be made into research. Throughout this article you will see how information systems, data and big data are connected from information systems, the rise of big data and how it will be transformed. There will be challenges and benefits for businesses that invest in big data.
Information Systems for business and beyond: the significance of Information Systems in business
The main advantage that business information systems have is the power to give the person knowledge to carry out the task effectively through data that’s already stored Sylvan, R. (2018). Information systems are being utilised a lot and because of that; the systems have helped communication within training, sales, marketing, human resources and information technology. They have also improved business intelligence and helped make clearer decisions through management processes. As information systems develops, companies are likely to be investing into data in order to improve their chances of standing out from competitors.
Information systems are built on hardware, software and communication links to key components Bocij, Greasley and Hickie, (2015). In business today with developments in information technology, this has been efficient by saving time and money in a rapidly changing and competitive environment.
Canon has realised the significance of operations and management. “Canon has used its technology, understanding and systems integration skills to help improve its own business processes – aiding it to become more efficient, more productive and more profitable” (Business Case Studies LLP). Canon made long-term plans that signify importance for their strategic management. One of Canon’s benefits is connecting computers and copiers together to one centralized component, instead of several within the departments. This has helped company’s equipment and labour costs and ensured less training is needed.
Main issues to consider when planning a database
A database is simply defined as a meaningful way of organising and collecting data. Ultimately, databases are used to improve customer relationships. Generally speaking, most databases are an immense operating cost in any business. Apple is known to have high specification systems, by improving their process of their databases. Because of Apple’s consumer loyalty there is a demand for their high specification of computers. There are barriers to entry when trying to get an App to be approved by Apple. This could take up too much time or if planned in time could benefit the company later down the line.
However, your local ran flower shop that has only 3 employees could only afford the small type of databases such as Microsoft Access, the basics like Outlook email and Excel. When creating and populating the fields used for databases designer could complicate the database by inputting too much information into one field. In order to simplify further they could create their fields for example: forename, middle name, surname in one field or three fields to simplify it would be much better from the users and the creators side. Database designers have also learnt that when creating a database, it’s advisable to record what they are doing, that way if someone needs to update any information it will be easily useable.
Within a company you have different departments so depending on that specific department you will see that the needs to Information systems vary. Take for example, Amazon.com. Amazon has different departments, Sales and Marketing which will help with the companies producing products and within their customer requirements and increasing production Laudon, (2006). Amazon strive to improve their customer feedback by analysing the data through hardware and software which plays as a key component in customers satisfaction Zatari, T. (2018). Amazons human resources departments information systems help with the staff training, monitor their employee’s probation, pay rise and promotion Zatari, T. (2018).
Big data: benefits challenges and best practices
Gardner defined “Big Data are high-volume, high-velocity, and/or high-variety information assets that require new forms of processing to enable enhanced decision making, insight discovery and process optimizations” Philip Chen and Zhang, (2014). So unlike databases, Big Data is analysed through technology processes through multiple forms. For example; social media, the online website, video and networks most of it made on a huge capacity (Ibm.com, 2018).
Research has shown that companies benefit from Big Data and that it helps build long-term relationship with the customers Krairojananan, P. and Anuvareepong, S., (2016). Amazons market strategy is to focus on analysing their data through data mining and personalising the customers online experience by persuading them shopping choices on their purchase history, search results and likes Zatari, (2018).
“Big Data is truly revolutionary because it fundamentally changes mankind’s relationship with information” Smolan, R. and Erwitt, J. (2012). The book illustrates how the development of technology advances will have an ultimate effect on humans for the good and evil. The Human Face of Big Data goes further to explaining the endless possibilities of Big Data in generating data to help predict the future for example the weather and to help prevent illnesses and ultimately to save lives Smolan, R. and Erwitt, J. (2012). In order for Big Data to help prevent illness a personalised program would need to be in place and research and information to analyse data. Because of the large amounts of data being stored this opens the door for computer hackers, viruses and a breach of data, a challenge of Big Data as previously discussed earlier involving NHS records. “Never before in human history has it been possible for one person to rob 100 million people” however due to technology advances and massive data storage it has become probable Smolan, R. and Erwitt, J. (2012).
In conclusion, Business Artificial Intelligence is on the rise and humans are less needed and replaced by robots of many forms. Although Big Data plays a huge part in our life today, hopefully the right balance can be achieved and not through just a business profiting; but prevention, cure of illness and the unknown. Information systems play a vital role in successful companies adapting to change, developments in their database systems and management departments today. Because the complexity of Big Data, companies are planning ahead to help manage and organise their databases many ways. They are also competing for profit through consumers and customer satisfaction through analysing data. Although we are likely to see many benefits of technology especially big data there is a huge responsibility and role to play in any large corporation today. Although there may be obstacles in the way, perhaps this will help shape our future in predicting and what is yet to come. Hopefully data will be utilised and stored in a good way. However, companies are likely to face obstacles along the way. As long as they keep learning through research it is uncertain how far Big Data will actually go. Currently we have to wait out the journey to see what research can has been done to prevent failures. Information systems have a huge part to play in ethics. Databases, business information systems and big data are causing a great effect on society with potential for even greater effect in the near future.
Bibliography
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- Philip Chen, C. and Zhang, C. (2014). Data-intensive applications, challenges, techniques and technologies: A survey on Big Data. Information Sciences, 275, pp.314-347.
- Smolan R. and Erwitt, J. (2012). The human face of big data. Sausalito, California.: Against All Odds Production. P65, P76, p112-p129,p159.
- Sylvan, R. (2018). Tangible Benefits of Information Systems. (online) Available at: http://smallbusiness.chron.com/tangible-benefits-information-systems-50155.html (Accessed 14 Jun. 2018).
- Zatari, T. (2018). “Data Mining by Amazon”. International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research, 6(6).
