business driven technology

Information technology (IT) – a field concerned with the use of technology in managing and processing information.

Information technology is an important enabler of business success and innovation.

Management information systems (MIS) – a general name for the business function and academic discipline covering the application of people, technologies, and procedures  to solve business problems
MIS is a business function, similar to Accounting, Finance, Operations, and Human Resources

When beginning to learn about information technology it is important to understand

– Data, information, and business intelligence IT resources
– IT cultures


Data - raw facts that describe the characteristic of an event

Information - data converted into a meaningful and useful context

Business intelligence – applications and technologies that are used to support decision-making efforts

Information-Functional Culture - Employees use information as a means of exercising influence or power over others. For example, a manager in sales refuses to share information with marketing. This causes marketing to need the sales manager’s input each time a new sales strategy is developed

Information-Sharing Culture  - Employees across departments trust each other to use information (especially about problems and failures) to improve performance

Information-Inquiring Culture - Employees across departments search for information to better understand the future and align themselves with current trends and new directions

Information-Discovery Culture - Employees across departments are open to new insights about crisis and radical changes and seek ways to create competitive advantages