Identifying a local organization(s) and some of their best practices in IT/IS

Before I discuss some of our chosen local organization’s best practices in Information Technology/Information System, I would like to share a little bit of what we experienced before we finally conducted our interview for this assignment. Our first choice was really the Department of Social And Welfare Development or DSWD. However, Sir Randy did not approve our letter because he wants us to go to private companies for some reasons. So, we considered our last option which is the AMA Computer College because we already arranged a meeting with the school’s IT personnel before we asked Sir Randy to sign our letter for DSWD. Unfortunately, he had an emergency which caused the cancellation of the interview. That is why, we went to the remote office of Dole Philippines, Davao in Lanang and there we interviewed a company Management Information System Programmer. What happened was an ambush interview and that the programmer was really on leave and that she only went to the office just for us to be able to conduct an interview. BEST PRACTICES:Inform The UserIt was mentioned in the interview that in making or changing a system, some things must also be considered like the user. I agree with what the programmer has mentioned and as for me, if you are going to create a system, you will have to inform the user about the new system so that the user will be prepared and will know what type of system will be created, how the system flows, what will be its purposes and what will be its uses.Systems AnalysisThe programmer mentioned that in systems analysis, you have to analyze what kind of system is needed and that there is budgeting. I agree with what the programmer said and in my opinion, during systems analysis, the developers must know first the needs of the user, the type of system they will develop, the time frame of the project and the cost of the project.DevelopmentFor me, after careful system analysis, that will be the time that the system will be developed. TestingIn my opinion, before the system will be implemented, it must be first tested for any errors that might occur.ImplementationIn my own opinion, after the development of the system has reached its perfection, that will be the time to implement the new system.IT Outsourcing and Internal ITAside from the five protocols or practices mentioned, the programmer also discussed the difference between IT outsourcing and having an Internal IT in the company. According to the MIS Programmer, IT outsourcing needs to be updated but the IT company does not have to be because it is their own system. In IT outsourcing, they sell the system and follow whatever is the trend or if not, they will be left behind due to the competition. But the Internal IT does not have to follow the trend because they do not sell the system and that there is no competition between the IT department besides, their clients are the departments which are within the company unlike in the outsourcing whose clients are the external companies. Moreover, the programmer mentioned that the outsourcing must follow whatever is the market standard, because if not, they will not be able to sell their product to the companies. Not like in the Internal IT, whatever is requested from them or whatever system can be offered to the company, it will be the system that the company will adopt - that will be the system that they will produce for them. The advantage of having an Internal IT as what the Management Information System Programmer said that if you look on the IT perspective, the Internal IT is advantageous than IT outsourcing because you create the system, you maintain the system and the overhead cost is cheaper in the long run and the only downside is when the IT personnel will leave. That is why everything must be documented. The programmer also added that in the business perspective, it would be most advantageous if you use IT outsourcing for the reason that the business will stand whether you have an internal IT or not because you will have a contract outside the company. So the IT outsourcing company will be consulted whenever a problem will occur. If one personnel of that IT outsourcing company will leave, it will be the outsourcing company’s problem. In terms of security, internal IT is more secured than IT outsourcing. Within the internal IT they it is already the bylaws or it is already mandated by the mother company that this is the IT protocol or this will be the protocol to be followed. The latter is also acceptable because security is also a part of the service contract. At the same time, IT outsourcing also a disadvantage because they are outside the company unlike in the internal IT which is held by the company.If I am a company owner, I will want to have an internal IT department because having one is cheaper than purchasing products from IT outsourcing companies. If I have one, I will be able to request systems which have functions that I specify according to my needs. Moreover, an internal IT department, knows more about the needs of my company in terms of database security and system flows. Annual TrainingAccording to the programmer, the company also conducts an annual training which is budgeted to keep their personnel updated and that in IT, it is their only advancement for their personnel. They also adapt whatever was trained to them.System SecurityIn terms of their system security, the programmer said that they have not experienced hacking and that their security is verified by verisign who checks the security of the company. She added that verisign is a company who checks if the site is vulnerable. They also have firewalls that they use to protect their system.MIS and ICTAccording to the programmer, the new name of Management Information System or MIS is Information and Communication Technology or ICT because Management Information System is usually under the finance but once you are called Information and Communication Technology or ICT, you will be detached from the finance. It is not part of any other department in the company but is solely a separate department.Definition of IT/IS Finally, the programmer defined Information System or IS. IT is called the brain of the company because the IT holds all the information which is used for business. These information are used as basis as to what must be done.The interview was recorded....

Introduction to MIS-1

Good day everyone! I'm Jerusalem M. Alvaira, 4th year BSIT student. I expect that I will learn a lot not only from this subject but also from Sir Randy...

Reflections

Our first meeting with Sir Randy Gamboa was fun... As expected, there will be group projects, presentations and more company visits. He introduced the subject Management Information Systems 1 or MIS 1 starting with the word Management with its keys: PLANNING DIRECTING ORGANIZING CONTROLLING. Sir Randy also discussed about the components of Information System - Hardware, Software and Peopleware. I agree with what Sir Randy said about the subject that it should be named Leadership and Management Information System because if we talk about Management Information System and learning about its components, it means for me, that even people has to be managed when in fact, the only things that should be managed are the hardware and the software components of Information System. On the other hand, the people are not supposed to be managed or controlled but to be guided or to be led in every responsibility that they have.For your comments, click here