What are the differences between functional and cross-functional systems? Study Questions Q1 – What are the differences between functional and cross-functional systems? Q2 – How do functional systems relate to the value chain? Q3 – What are the functions of the five basic functional systems? Q4 – What are the problems of functional systems? Q5 – What is business process design? Q6 – What are the functions and characteristics of the three major cross-functional systems?

Q1 – What are the differences between functional and cross- functional systems? This chart depicts the history of information systems beginning with calculation systems, moving to functional systems that served a single department or function, and ending with integrated systems that span an entire organization.

Calculation System  The calculation system was the first information system. The calculation system is now antiquated, but had been used for a very long time.  Calculation machines were more accurate than humans.  Functional System  It was the second era of facilitated work of a single department or function. This was a and-on to the calculation system  They had problems with the functional applications. For the most part, the applications were sometimes called island of automation because they worked independent of one another.  The calculation system was the first information system. The calculation system is now antiquated, but had been used for a very long time.  Calculation machines were more accurate than humans.  Functional System  It was the second era of facilitated work of a single department or function. This was a and-on to the calculation system  They had problems with the functional applications. For the most part, the applications were sometimes called island of automation because they worked independent of one another.

Q1 – What are the differences between functional and cross-functional systems?  Many companies are moving to integrated, cross-functional systems that integrate activities of an entire business process, like a customer order. This type of system may also be called a process-based system  Most organizations use a mixture of old-styled functional systems and newer, integrated systems.  Many companies are moving to integrated, cross-functional systems that integrate activities of an entire business process, like a customer order. This type of system may also be called a process-based system  Most organizations use a mixture of old-styled functional systems and newer, integrated systems.

Integrated, Cross-Functional System  Isolation problems of functional systems led to the third era of information systems.  These were designed to integrate the activities of an entire business process.  These activities which cross the departmental boundaries are called cross functional or cross-departmental systems.  Also they supported compete business processes and are sometimes called process-based systems.  Isolation problems of functional systems led to the third era of information systems.  These were designed to integrate the activities of an entire business process.  These activities which cross the departmental boundaries are called cross functional or cross-departmental systems.  Also they supported compete business processes and are sometimes called process-based systems.

 The newer systems helped to increase the functional abilities and the ability for the users for which they were very grateful.  Most organizations today use a mix of functional and integrated systems, which is why they are so successful in competing globally.  Most of these systems are just for making money or profit but in this case it also could be used for non profit organizations that report financials at the end of the year such as The Girls Scouts of America.  The newer systems helped to increase the functional abilities and the ability for the users for which they were very grateful.  Most organizations today use a mix of functional and integrated systems, which is why they are so successful in competing globally.  Most of these systems are just for making money or profit but in this case it also could be used for non profit organizations that report financials at the end of the year such as The Girls Scouts of America. Who does it help? Who does it help?