Business Information Systems (BIS) is a field that involves information, technological systems, and people. It is a term used to describe the various information systems and technologies used by businesses to manage their operations and make decisions. BIS is utilized at all levels of an organization, including human resources and technical support, and many of those systems are under the “umbrella” of a larger, organization-wide system. The primary components of BIS include hardware, software, data, procedures (design, development, and documentation), and people.
BIS serves various critical functions, including information storage and analysis, decision-making, and communication. Those who design and implement these systems have a much larger grasp on how their organization functions, and people often turn to them with questions only they can answer, making them a vital part of the organization.
Examples of BIS include financial management systems, inventory management systems, and customer relationship management systems. The field of BIS is both applied and managerial and uses the tools, techniques, and concepts of various disciplines (such as computer science and management) to find solutions to a wide range of business problems.
A degree in BIS prepares students for a variety of careers in corporate, industrial, governmental, and military establishments. Graduates can specialize in BIS aspects of another business discipline, such as accounting, management, marketing, or finance. Potential careers in BIS include business process analyst, IT project manager, data modeler, systems analyst, developer, or database administrator.
Improving processes using BIS helps organizations streamline everyday functions like payroll, account payables, inventory management, sales purchases, etc. It simplifies the flow of information and the process of finding data easily. Information systems are used to develop value-added systems for business functions, and business processes can be simplified and unnecessary activities can be streamlined through the use of information systems adapted to common business tasks, such as manufacturing, supply chain, and employee processes.
