What is an Enterprise Information System EIS and how does EIS deliver value to Organisations?

An executive information system (EIS) is a decision support system (DSS) used to assist senior executives in the decision-making process. It does this by providing easy access to important data needed to achieve strategic goals in an organization. An EIS normally features graphical displays on an easy-to-use interface.

Executive information systems can be used in many different types of organizations to monitor enterprise performance as well as to identify opportunities and problems.

Early executive information systems were developed as computer-based programs on mainframe computers to provide a company’s description, sales performance and/or market research data for senior executives. However, senior executives were not all computer literate or confident. Moreover, EIS data was only supporting executive-level decisions but not necessarily supporting the entire company or enterprise.Current EIS data is available company- or enterprise-wide, facilitated by personal computers and workstations on local area networks (LANs). Employees can access company data to help decision-making in their individual workplaces, departments, divisions, etc.. This allows employees to provide pertinent information and ideas both above and below their company level.

The typical EIS has four components: hardware, software, user interface and telecommunication.

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An Enterprise Information System (EIS) is any kind of information system which improves the functions of enterprise business processes by integration. This means typically offering high quality of service, dealing with large volumes of data and capable of supporting some large and possibly complex organization or enterprise. An EIS must be able to be used by all parts and all levels of an enterprise.[1]

The word enterprise can have various connotations. Frequently the term is used only to refer to very large organizations such as multi-national companies or public-sector organizations. However, the term may be used to mean virtually anything, by virtue of it having become a corporate-speak buzzword.[citation needed]

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ENTERPRISE INFORMATION SYSTEM(EIS) AND ENTERPRISE RESOURCE PLANNING (ERP)-WHY ORGANIZATIONS NEED THEM IN THEIR BUSINESS OPERATIONS.An enterprise information system (EIS) is any kind of information system which improves the functions of an enterprise business processes by integration. This means typically offering high quality of service, dealing with large volumes of data and capable of supporting some large and possibly complex organization or enterprise. An EIS is capable being used by all parts and all levels of an enterprise.The word enterprise can have various connotations. Frequently the term is used only to refer to very large organizations such as multi-national companies or public sector organizations. However, the term may be used to mean virtually anything, by virtue of it having become the latest corporate-speak buzzword. Enterprise information systems provide a technological platform that enables organizations to integrate and coordinate their business processes on a robust foundation. An EIS is currently used in conjunction with customer relationship management and supply chain management systems to automate business processes. An enterprise information system provides a single system that is central to the organization that ensures information can be shared across all functional levels and management hierarchies.An EIS can be used to increase business productivity and reduce service cycles, product development cycles and marketing life cycles. It may be used to amalgamate existing applications. Other outcomes include higher operational and cost savings. Financial value is not usually a direct outcome from the implementation of an enterprise information system.Design stageAt the design stage the main characteristic of EIS efficiency evaluation is the probability of timely delivery of various messages such as command, service, multimedia files, etc. Enterprise systems create a standard data structure and are invaluable in eliminating the problem of information fragmentation caused by multiple information systems within an organization. An EIS differentiates itself from legacy systems in that it self-transactional, self-helping and adaptable to general and specialist conditions. Unlike an enterprise information system, legacy systems are limited to department wide communications.A typical enterprise information system would be housed in one or more data centers ,would run enterprise software and could include applications that typically cross organizational borders such as content management systems.ENTERPRISE RESOURCE PLANNING (ERP)Enterprise resource planning (ERP) is business process management software that allows an organization to use a system of integrated applications to manage the business and automate many back office functions related to technology, services and human resources. ERP software integrates all facets of an operation, including product planning, development, manufacturing, sales and marketing.ERP software is considered an enterprise application as it is designed to be used by larger businesses and often requires dedicated teams to customize and analyze the data and to handle upgrades and deployment. In contrast, Small business ERP applications are lightweight business management software solutions, customized for the business industry you work in.ERP software typically consists of multiple enterprise software modules that are individually purchased, based on what best meets the specific needs and technical capabilities of the organization. Each ERP module is focused on one area of business processes, such as product development or marketing. A business can use ERP software to manage back-office activities and tasks including the following:Distribution process management, supply chain management, services knowledge base, configure, prices, improve accuracy of financial data, facilitate better project planning, automate employee life-cycle, standardize critical business procedures, reduce redundant tasks, assess business needs, accounting and financial applications, lower purchasing costs, manage human resources and payroll. Some of the most common ERP modules include those for product planning, material purchasing, inventory control, distribution, accounting, marketing, finance and HR.As the ERP methodology has become more popular, software applications have emerged to help business managers implement ERP into other business activities and may incorporate modules for Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and business Intelligence presenting it as a single unified package. The basic goal of using an enterprise resource planning system is to provide one central repository for all information that is shared by all the various ERP facets to improve the flow of data across the organization.Top ERP TrendsThe ERP field can be slow to change, but the last couple of years have unleashed forces which are fundamentally shifting the entire area. According to Enterprise Apps Today, the following new and continuing trends affect enterprise ERP software:1. Mobile ERP Executives and employees want real-time access to information, regardless of where they are. It is expected that businesses will embrace mobile ERP for the reports, dashboards and to conduct key business processes.2. Cloud ERPThe cloud has been advancing steadily into the enterprise for some time, but many ERP users have been reluctant to place data cloud. Those reservations have gradually been evaporating, however, as the advantages of the cloud become apparent.3. Social ERPThere has been much hype around social media and how important – or not -- it is to add to ERP systems. Certainly, vendors have been quick to seize the initiative, adding social media packages to their ERP systems with much fanfare. But some wonder if there is really much gain to be had by integrating social media with ERP.4. Two-tier ERPEnterprises once attempted to build an all-encompassing ERP system to take care of every aspect of organizational systems. But some expensive failures have gradually brought about a change in strategy – adopting two tiers of ERP.ERP VendorsDepending on your organization's size and needs there are a number of enterprise resource planning software vendors to choose from in the large enterprise, mid-market and the small business ERP market.Large Enterprise ERP (ERP Tier I)• The ERP market for large enterprises is dominated by three companies: SAP, Oracle and Microsoft. (Source: Enterprise Apps Today; Enterprise ERP Buyer's Guide: SAP, Oracle and Microsoft; Drew Robb)Mid Market ERP (ERP Tier II)• For the midmarket vendors include Infor, QAD, Lawson, Epicor, Sage and IFS. (Source: Enterprise Apps Today; Midmarket ERP Buyer's Guide; Drew Robb)Small Business ERP (ERP Tier III)

• Exact Globe, Syspro, NetSuite, Visibility, Consona, CDC Software and Activant Solutions round out the ERP vendors for small businesses. (Source: EnterpriseAppsToday; ERP Buyer's Guide for Small Businesses; Drew Robb)