Current Era of Advancing Technology - Essay Example

? In the current era of advancing technology, information technology and management is perhaps the most pertinent aspect of organizational success. Application of technology, especially computer and its related fields, in the business processes has greatly facilitated tacit manipulation of the informed choices by the organizational leadership. Indeed, use of technology has created a huge database of new opportunities in the real world for businesses which they exploit to gain competitive edge. Access to information is vital not only because it enhances efficiency and knowledge based discharge of duties by the employees but it a great tool for the management to exploit the available information to improve its performance. The reliability and validity of data and information therefore, become critical ingredients for correct evaluation of the processes or situations if they are to serve as important facilitators to organizational success. Data quality and data integration are different aspect of same coin which are intrinsically linked to the relative accuracy of outcome. Quality and validity of data is extremely important as it assures the reliability within the data, judicious manipulation of which can lead to desired outcome. Data integration, on the other hand is just efficient collation of the same, irrespective of the fact that data is reliable or not. Thus, in the broader framework of effective information management, assurance of data becomes a critical aspect of effective information system. With assured data that is reliable and valid, information retrieved would provide wide ranging knowledge about the existing and emerging paradigms of the business world which may have considerable impact on the organizational performance outcomes. Data, information and knowledge are the three main facets of the informed choices which are effectively linked to the organizational goals and objectives. Understanding the differences enables the organizational leadership to exploit these factors to gain leverage. While data can be broadly described as the facts that are related to various issues and subject areas within the organizational paradigm, the information is the process of streamlining the data into coherent and specific format whereby they acquire value addition by virtue of their arrangement in specified manner. In short, collation or integration of data provides specific information regarding issues and areas of importance to organizational processes. Interestingly, knowledge becomes the most important part of organizational functioning. It can be described as the thoughts, opinion, observation or ideas which are applied in one’s daily life. They are manipulated to suit one’s needs and requirements in myriad ways. In organizational context, it provides the working population with expertise to exploit the given information for optimal performance outcome. Thus, diversity in the area of knowledge becomes the most important aspect of it and whether one wants it or not, it has become personal choice for one to imbibe, cultivate, facilitate, use, misuse and so on. The precepts and concepts of knowledge, have therefore, become significant tools for not only expanding the scope of utilization of the existing resources but they have become important to understand the changing dynamics of business environment. The main reason that data quality and data integration are important is primarily because they help in storing and manipulating strategic business information that are designed to improve the overall business prospects. In technological term, information system is developed by creating database of various spheres of the business including administration, management, productions, accounts and other areas which are intrinsically linked to produce the desired outcome of efficiency, quality and profits. The access to information facilitates efficient and knowledge based decisions by the managerial leadership and team. At the same time, it serves as a great tool for the management to exploit the available information to improve its performance. In all these, the veracity of data remains the crucial aspect of correct information. Drucker, (1998) argues that access to information is the basic precondition for success of a firm. Use of digital technology has significantly impacted communication amongst the inter-related business paradigms through wider database of new opportunities. Barnett (2004) claims that information revolution brought about by technology has redefined financial, technological and logistic architecture of the global economy vis-a-vis the movement of money, services accompanied by content, and people and materials. The importance of quality data which is integrated to produce tacit information become the key element of success for a firm. In real terms, the authenticity of data helps create database of value added knowledge that gives competitive edge to the firm in the highly volatile markets of contemporary times. Hence, while data integration is important, assurance of quality data is essential to get desired result or outcome. Shultz (2001) strongly believes that it is the end-users who now control the markets rather than the marketers. Thus people become the mainstay of a business. Creation of database of customer becomes crucial for firms as they can be used to analyze and evaluate changing preferences of the customers. Indeed, the analysis of database of customers for factors that influence their buying decisions, feedbacks from the customers for the level of customer satisfaction and follow-up processes not only helps to maintain the existing customers but develop favorable environment for new customers. Data integration is part and parcel of effective information system. Data validity and reliability gives credibility to the tacit information retrieved from the manipulation of data. The reports and knowledge gained through the information empower the organizational management to make strategic decisions based on informed choices. The judicious use of information technology in the businesses has improved communication amongst the various economic units that work within the defined parameters of organizational structure. IT/IS planning and acquisition has become vital part of business strategy. Gurlen (2003) says that scope creep is the change or growth of the project scope which makes the system more effective in the changing business environment. The feeding of correct data ensures that changes are reflected in the system which is exploited by management to gain significant market leverage. Managerial information system greatly empowers the leadership with informed choices in the chosen area of importance. They are therefore provided with hugely relevant information which are used to make important business decisions. In fact, all business decisions are made based on information that is garnered through data integration. The veracity of data therefore becomes critical for getting correct information regarding issues which have considerable impact on the decisions and thereby the business outcome. The management relies on correct data and information so that it can facilitate effective decision making. In the end, one can conclude that data quality and data integration are different which are intrinsically linked to facilitate effective decision making. We cannot have one without the other. Reliable data is of tactical importance not only because it adds value to the organizational competencies but it also has considerable impact on internal and external decision making processes. Data integration consolidates data vis-a-vis various areas of business operation so that management can get complete view of operations and create values for organizations. But data integration, whosoever difficult and complex process will not validate desired results unless quality of data is verified. Data quality is vital but complex procedure because it requires human input, in term of assuring that it is accurate, reliable and can be subjected to investigation for its validity. At the same time, the data must also be fed correctly to create credible database. There are many tools like SQL, Oracle, Informatica, cloud computing etc which are used for successful data integration to produce required information. Firms and organizations are distinct in their products and services and rely heavily on accurate and dependable data to give them an edge in the market. (words: 1266) Reference Barnett, Thomas P M.(2004). The Pentagon’s New Map: War and Peace in the Twenty-First Century. New York: Putnam. Drucker, P.F. (24 August, 1998) Next information revolution. Forbes. Database: Academic Search Elite. Gurlen, Stephanie. (2 December, 2003). Scope Creep. Retrieved from: Shultz, Don E. (February 12, 2001). Bid Farewell Strategy based on old 4Ps. Marketing news, 35 (4). Read More