Executive Information Systems :: Technology Work Technological Essays

Executive Information Systems Executive Information Systems (EIS) is a system designed to supplement the current company’s information system for their executives. The standard textbook definition of executive information system is â€Å"an information system that provides strategic information tailored to the needs of executives and other decision makers† (O’Brien 24). EIS is thought to help with knowledge management. Knowledge management is the â€Å"set of practices aimed at discovering and harnessing an organization’s intellectual resources – fully utilizing the intellects of the organization’s people† (Bateman, Snell 8). In research there is one other basic term that is used to interchangeably with Executive Information System. That term is Executive System Support (Kaniclides, Kimble 3). Executive Information Systems software expands on all of the other business software out there for managers. There are some main differences between EIS and other information systems. The main difference is that EIS is aimed towards executives so it is specifically customized towards their needs. Another difference is that EIS is â€Å"able to access data about specific issues and problems as well as aggregate reports† (Kelly 2). EIS is not as limited to a particular field or area of the business. Executive Information Systems allow for access to an array of data from both inside the company and outside from difference sources. EIS also is user friendly so the senior management members do not need assistants to access the information for them and they can make use of their assistants for other tasks. The systems usually can be used with a mouse or a touch screen computer and information is presented in a graphic format (Kelly 2). The people that use EIS have been mentioned above. These people are those who are senior level managers, such as CEOs, CFOs, COO, Presidents, and so on, with loads of information to sort though. The executive information system helps them sort though the information provided to them by lower level managers. This information usually includes such things as efficiency reports and other production reports relevant to the field of the corporation. These senior level managers use this information that has been summarized and put into a form that the manager wants to make important decisions for the company. For executives that do not utilize executive information system might feel overwhelmed with the papers and reports they receive daily.