Using Information in Information System
Information Systems can be thought of as being useful at three levels:
The detail level where information is used to carry out discrete tasks in support of the operations of the business, examples are the use of spreadsheet or CAD toolsets. This information will mostly be used by first line employees carrying out the basic activities for the operation.
- The middle level where information is used to help control and co-ordinate operations, examples are the use of MRP systems. This information will mostly be used by the middle management of the business.
- The executive level where information is used to inform the process of decision-making for strategy and other high level organisational concerns.
Each of the three levels has a slightly different emphasis in terms of required knowledge but each has to be informed by the same set of captured data and the same systemic tool that processes and manipulates it.