Challenges of the CIO in Delivering the IT Infrastructure - Essay Example

? Challenges Faced by the MIS Director in Delivering the IT Infrastructure Business information systems play a critical role in the success of organizations. The chief information officers and management information offers face numerous challenges in delivering IT infrastructure and services. An interview was conducted with Jorge Merchan. He is the Acting MIS at County Department of Community and Senior services in Los Angeles. The department investigates claims on abuses against the disabled. The organization offers mediation services to avert court filings. The department is committed to fostering positive inter-group relations for social wellbeing. The transition from raw data to in-depth understanding has an influence on the design and the functionality of the business information environment. Information technology plays a technical role in enhancing the efficiency of organizational business. The information technology is expected to come up with innovations that offer support to the clients or users and their needs. The chief information officers suffer from reluctance that faces implementation of the IT strategies. Deploying information systems is deemed to be risky. The information systems are used by the CIO or MIS officers to enhance the effectiveness of businesses. The CIOs and MIS are expected to understand how the latest infrastructure works. Organizations are expected to know how to apply information technology services in the business processes. The aim is to enhance the profitability and efficiency of information officers (Turban, 2006). Management information systems directors are on the forefront in incorporating technology in the strategic management. There is general consensus that competitive advantage is developed and enhanced through promoting differentiation of the products and services. Information technology creates competitive advantage for a business. This improves the competitive position of the organization in the market. The MIS are using information technology to create sustainable competitive advantage. Studies show that technology influences organizational activities. Organizations use technology to create value internally and externally. CIOs and management information system officers strengthen organizational processes and structures. Technology has caused business needs to lessen. This has caused organizations to have lesser staff but better communication systems. The organization profitability has increased as expenses decrease courtesy of technological deployments in organizations. Information technology and decision support systems have developed as simple and direct relationships with staffs and services. This connection has increased the understanding between customers and suppliers. A study in the United States indicated that most managers have a challenge in accessing the latest technology. They also expressed frustration in knowing how to optimize the use technology (Turban, 2006). This has made it difficult for some of the managers to increase efficiency in their organizations. Information technology introduces synergies that are under the supervision of the MIS officers or managers. This leads to the implementation of a combination of technologies which are difficult to imitate. This gives organizations a competitive advantage and enhancement of the brand. One of the major demerits is the fact that most managers believe the gains of information technology in an organization are short-lived. This has caused the MIS managers to embark on training the other personnel on the need to embrace technology. Information technology is known to reduce cost by automating distribution and productive processes. Therefore, the MIS directors are involved in the cost leadership strategy. Information technology has forced the top management to incorporate MIS directors in the decision making processes of the organization. Mechanized systems deployed through the influence of the MIS directors are known to lead to automatic savings (Turban, 2006). However, the MIS experience difficulty in influencing the leadership of the organization to try new technology or pilot projects that heavily depend on technologies. Information has enabled organizations to carry out businesses remotely. The reduction of costs has made it possible for organizations to keep the prices of services and products low. This has led to direct profits. Information management systems have been intertwined with overall organizational strategies to ensure that businesses use quality designs at a cheaper price. Information technologies are considered to be one of the core competencies in the running of organizations. Businesses are expected to create and culture that embraces easy access to quality information. This is critical to ensuring excellence performance is maintained and sustained (Turban, 2006). Investing in MIS directors is the best response to this need for the professional access to information. The technological departments of the organizations must be equipped with the capacity and the autonomy to handle organizational information. The mobile apps have lead to more opportunities and leveraging of information systems. The CIOs and MIS directors have been facing challenges in maintain homegrown ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems. The systems are known to assist organizations adopt globalization and better business practices in a competitive market. ERP has a profound effect on the supply-chain and human resource management. Failure to share challenges and expertise with other organizations can lead to monopolizing organizational experiences. The CIOs are expected to ensure that the company gets expertise from strategic partners through outsourcing. This ensures that the company is up-to-date with the standards in the market. A successful corporate must invest in chief information officers who are motivated through vibrant talent management schemes and remuneration programs. Research shows that there is a high turnover rate for CIOs or the MIS directors. This is attributed to poor remuneration, lack of reward management systems or frustrations because of resistance to change. The ERP offers the organizations a change to restructure policies and objectives (Turban, 2006). The process is known to cause confusion in the beginning. The CIOs must embark on radical training programs to ensure that programs became demystified and useful to the users. Organizations find deployment of ERP systems to be expensive and time consuming. This has been one of the challenges facing the CIOs. MIS directors and CIOs must introduce and train the organizational personnel on the use of inter-organizational systems. An inter-organizational system is a platform that enables an organization to impact beyond organizational frontiers. This happens through shared data, electronic connections and deployment of business applications. Multinational companies can have multiple websites which are integrated through shared applications. A telling example is when several organizational websites share a common massive database. Research shows that the strategy serves the interests of the clients with high precision. Faster supply and better scrutiny leads to precision in meeting the consumer needs and services. Organizations are using technology to receive consumer needs and respond to them. Recommendations The MIS directors are expected to update these systems to meet the latest technological standards in the organization. This maintains the competitive advantage. Organizations must use interactive and attractive websites to market and address the consumer needs. A telling example is Apple.com. Organizational must ensure that they use technological facilitates are have strong appeal in terms of quality and service. This includes partnering with respected brands for the purposes of certification or training. Organizations are using technology giants to train their information experts. This is facilitated through CIOs and MIS directors. The CIOs must ensure the best decision support systems and knowledge systems are installed to manage databases. This means that the capacity of the organizations becomes enhanced. Intelligence systems are known to ensure that organizations pick quality information in strategic decision making processes. Interview 1. How does information technology enhance the effectiveness of the organization? 2. How can organizations use information technology to improve consumer relations? 3. What is the role of IT and decision support systems and how do they affect the organizational functions? 4. What is the relationship between organizational core competencies and information systems as perceived by the MIS? 5. What challenges face CIOs and MIS in maintain ERP systems? 6. How can technology be used to save costs in an organization? References Turban, E., & Turban, E. (2006). Information technology for management: Transforming organizations in the digital economy. Hoboken, NJ: J. Wiley & Sons. Read More