Implementing and Using Business Information

Implementing and Using Business Information

The assignment will focus on identifying key activities and best practices which can be used to manage business information systems. Furthermore, the paper will also highlight the risks involved through the implementation of business information systems. Besides, cloud storage-based systems will also be discussed as well as the significance of their use.

Key Activities and Best Practices

Partners Healthcare Systems best practices and fundamental activities include efficiency and ease of usage. The systems are required to be simple to use, thus eliminating the risk of frustrations among users when sharing information. The understanding is that, by addressing usability issues to provide best practices within a business, the organization’s leaders have to take into consideration the challenges as well as the aspects which appeal to users. Accordingly, developments are significant, especially in reducing the need for future maintenance. In addition, Bourgeois and Bourgeois (2005), discussed that it would be imperative for leaders to understand users’ preferences and needs. Essentially, leaders must not overlook and assume that all is okay; instead, they need to carefully monitor the users as well as changes in the industry to understand their needs and changing expectations. For instance, leaders can employ useful concepts like reflective designs to listen, adapt and evolve to the business systems. Other useful concepts include designs and plans which can be implemented at enterprise levels comprised of data management, wide usage and centralized data management (Bourgeois & Bourgeois, 2005).

Bourgeois and Bourgeois (2005) further discussed that information and data sharing are the primary purposes of information management. Accordingly, Partner Healthcare Company should be mindful of this fact or perhaps information management principle. Understandably, employees cannot or should not have access to everything; nonetheless, organization leaders need to continue to adopt strategies which enhance access while ensuring that the implemented technology supports their business policies. On the other side, the systems integrated should be focused on managing information, for instance, by identifying the kind of information stored, its organization, location on the storage as well as how it is accessed (Bourgeois & Bourgeois, 2005). As such, Partner Healthcare Firm has integrated more rules, accountability and training strategies. These approaches have enabled the firm leaders to ensure that their employees are trained on how they can best access data while creating information in line with the organizations guidelines and policies; as well as how they can share and use the data. All in all, the employees who are the users are liable and responsible for the usage of the systems.

Five Important Risk

Numerous risk factors are associated with the implementation of information systems; for example, concerning data, what kind of data will be kept, its availability, information security and benefits realization (Sherer & Alter, 2004). Therefore, in the Partner Healthcare context, integration would mean the operations between the ERP fails and legacy systems throughout the production process. Subsequently, the associated risk is centred on the production of the information where inconsistencies are contained – this creates a fail in deployment.

There is a possibility of risk in the process of implementation because of the instability of codes causing a possible system crash. The web browser vulnerability results in information security risks during the implementation stage leading to the expansion of security attack on the system.

Partner Healthcare firm must have a constant involvement of staff if they are to lower the risk of the implementation process (Sherer & Alter, 2004). Moreover, there should be a continuous user activity because instability poses a major risk in all significant systems. The risks can also be reduced through revisiting of the business process to identify changes after meeting the requirements. Other strategies can also involve changes that focus on questions regarding the process of implementation. Here, some of the questions may include, what is the needed change, what benefits come with the change, how is the change measured, why was it not identified earlier, who backs up the implementation of the made changes to the system (Bourgeois & Bourgeois, 2005). A more practical approach to the implementation of the elements of the information system is that the higher the number of users in the system, the better the process of implementation. According to Sherer & Alter (2005), these steps will enable Partner Healthcare firm to attain acceptance and user will endorse new systems and processes.

Identify and explain the use of Data Resources

While the Partner Health firm considers an upgrade to their current system, business leaders have to put into consideration, the type and amount of store data such as unstructured and structured data. Thus, such developments will assist in finding out the route that company leaders can choose and if they should reinforce the cloud solutions (Sherer & Alter, 2005). Partner Health firm should employ a strategy that ensures sufficient protection of data through data experts and adequate storage. Data protection strategies may involve the knowledge that not all data is the same. It is also important to understand the business value of data (Sherer & Alter, 2005).

If Partner Health considers the outsourcing of data management and storage, they should ensure that the service provider has the expertise to offer a highly secure environment of compliance. Compliance failure may lead to possible criminal charges and severe penalties against the company. The data processor determines the company’s major data and appropriately prioritizes it. For example, emailing may be a big priority for Partner Health’s, but data storage may require a more crucial approach to the most important emails rather than those with little significance.

Through the tiered storage approach, the company may be able to save time and money. This approach provides the infrastructure for storage such as cloud to store back up data or archived data. Such a system utilizes various tiers for data storage and the performance needed for the application of change (Sherer & Alter, 2005). Partner Healthcare leaders need to understand the value of various storage practices as some may be offered as a service.

Implementation Resources

Partner Healthcare Company can use several resources in the implementation. These resources might include readily available information. For instance, as businesses establish procedures and systems for data collection, the correct information may help the company in examining their most popular demands, customer satisfaction, and current employees (Edmund, 2017). Another resource involves the consideration of companies involves offering sufficient business information. Industry information assists businesses in identifying relevant trades and trends while also gathering information about the best resources and practices. Information about competitors is also a crucial resource (Edmund, 2017). However, the internet through social media currently provides a lot of information regarding competitors allowing companies to gain competitive intelligence. Lastly, government information is also another resource that is readily available online and provides business leaders to track trends and manage their business’ legal requirements.

Benefits

Partner Healthcare may benefit through the collection and consolidation of patient’s data because this is a fundamental element for any business in the healthcare industry (Edmund, 2017). Patient information involves more than just numbers but involves the analysis of past, present, and future information which integrates with the digital record. This information assists managers in identifying factors to modify, discontinue or promote in order to remain competitive. Resources on financial information such as losing balance, ledgers, and other statements assist companies in the process of budget creation (Edmund, 2017). Managers will have information product sales, overhead expenses, and creativity while enabling them to respond to issues such as overspending. Benefit maximization will only be possible through the utilization of functions and features (Suleman, 2015). For instance, communication can be improved through the use of voice calls, emails and messages.

Risk

There might be risks with the implementation of resources such as typical threats such a failure of software that causes data corruption or loss (Suleman, 2015). Resources may also be compromised by a criminal breach, for instance, through theft, dishonest staff, fraud leading to illegal benefits and illegal attainment of information. Natural disaster may also cause the problem to new resources; for instance, floods may damage buildings which may result in disruption of records of customers and the loss of data.

Implementing Cloud-Based Data Storage

The cloud base storage system has experienced an increase in popularity and including its business competitiveness. For instance, cloud-based storage can be utilized in improving employee collaboration regardless of their positioning. Moreover, employees get to maintain their connection with the company even as they travel from place to place, thus, increasing productivity. Employees can be able to the needed files while working from home.

The cloud base storage allows the company to respond to customers faster. There is a quicker response to competition and opportunities, including efforts that persuade potential patients and customers into conducting business with the firm (Suleman, 2015). Through such developments, the company can increase its profit margins and thus attain a competitive advantage.

Through cloud base storage, companies might be able to adapt to the change in the conditions in the markets. Companies become more flexible to the conditions in the market through processes such as offering remote sever spaces through the clouds. Thus, the cloud improves the capacity of web-hosting and increase demand. The cloud-based storage system is user-friendly and improves client relationship.

Conclusion

Information systems encompass various processes, designs and resources (Sherer & Alter, 2005). They can store, build, manipulate, and distribute information to join up computer science and business. Companies utilize such information by making them readily available for use as required by users. While several companies may depend on these systems, others may not have the technological systems to take advantage of these systems.

Aspects of the WestJet IT situation

Several aspects can be considered, but there are two major performance aspects that allowed the study of the transportation industry. The major aim of this study sought to compare WestJet IT budget, resources and costs to other players in the industry. Results showed that Smith was successful in identifying competence within the company’s existing technology, compared to others within the industry. However, the relationship between talent and the number of employees was unclear.

IT was structured to appear to meet the requirements of the system. According to Smith, conventional methods such as planning and building efficiently operated according to the system’s structure. The structure was designed for a collaboration among all parties to conduct activities other groups and their members. Thus, groups were able to operate faster efficiently.

A Summary and Critique of Smith’s Assessment

The West Jest system proved impossible to be integrated with other international systems. The system needed companies to leverage a system of the reservation to combine with companies sabre system. The integration system was not smooth as it raised concerns regarding business units and IT. The company needed to identify an alternative system. It is West Jet’s responsibility to maintain an IT portfolio and also hire a new chief information officer (CIO), thus being the best move for the company. Company managers realize the importance of IT capabilities to advance innovative services and products for the company.

A skilled CIO was hired by West Jet to assist the company in attaining a competitive advantage. The new CIO focused on examining the company’s current IT technology competency to identify why the company was left behind by other airlines. The CIO identified aspects for potential growth through the restructuring of the current IT plans. The restructuring was conducted in accordance with West Jet’s corporate goals such as budgeting, overhead coats and responsive to all needs of the business. The new CIO then established a new vision for the staff to satisfy their curiosity and tackle challenges as perceived by senior members of the staff.

References

Bourgeois, D., Bourgeois, D. T. (2005). Business processes. Retrieved from

https://bus206.pressbooks.com/chapter/chapter-9-info-systems-strategic-advantage/

Edmunds, S. S. (2017). Types of information resources needed for a business. Retrieved

from https://yourbusiness.azcentral.com/types-information-resources-neededbusiness-1007.html

Sherer, S. A., & Alter, S. (2005). Information system risk and risk factors: Are they

mostly about information systems. doi.10.17705/1casis.01404.

Suleman, H. (2015). Design and implementation of a cloud computing adoption decision

tool: Generating a cloud road. Journal of the national institute on Health. 10(7), doi.10.1371/journal.pone.0134563