Structure and Classification of MIS

Introduction

Management Information System (MIS) is a crucial component of any organization. It helps in decision making, data processing, and information management. Understanding the structure and classification of MIS is essential for its effective implementation and usage.

MIS Architecture

MIS architecture refers to the arrangement of various components of MIS to form a coherent system. It includes hardware, software, data, procedures, and people.

• Hardware: These are the physical components of the system, such as servers, computers, and networking equipment.

• Software: This includes the operating systems, database management systems, and specific applications that process the data.

• Data: This is the raw information that the system processes. It can be structured or unstructured and is stored in databases.

• Procedures: These are the rules and guidelines that govern how the system operates and how the components interact.

• People: These are the users of the system, who can be employees, managers, or IT professionals.

Classification of MIS

MIS can be classified based on information characteristics, application, and business function.

• Based on Information Characteristics: Here, MIS is classified into strategic, tactical, and operational systems. Strategic systems help in long-term decision making, tactical systems aid in short-term planning, and operational systems assist in day-to-day operations.

• Based on Application: In this classification, MIS is divided into financial, marketing, human resource, and manufacturing systems. Each system is designed to handle specific business functions.

• Based on Business Function: Here, MIS is classified into transaction processing systems, management information systems, decision support systems, and executive information systems. Each system serves a different level of the organization's hierarchy.

Conclusion

Understanding the structure and classification of MIS is crucial for its effective implementation and usage. It helps in aligning the system with the organization's goals and objectives, thereby enhancing its efficiency and effectiveness.

Summary

MIS architecture is the arrangement of hardware, software, data, procedures, and people that form a coherent system. MIS can be classified based on information characteristics, application, and business function. Understanding these aspects is crucial for the effective implementation and usage of MIS.

Analogy

Think of MIS as a library. The architecture of the library (MIS) includes the physical building (hardware), the catalog system (software), the books (data), the rules for borrowing books (procedures), and the librarians and patrons (people). The classification of the library can be based on the type of books (information characteristics), the purpose of the books (application), or the level of detail in the books (business function).