Information Systems Infrastructure (IS3314) 3 rd year BIS 2006 / 2007 Fergal Carton Business Information Systems

Last week Classwork – LowFares.com Sales information flows Marketing information flows Order methods (Web, , phone, …) Data and information Information based on virtual vs. physical attributes Processes and Applications: definition Assessment dates (Case 14 th Nov, MCQ 12 th Dec) Handout: Ch.7 (-26 copies)

This week Classwork – LowFares.com Finance information Basic flows of information in business Finance – cash Finance requirements Information based on virtual vs. physical attributes

“ most managers suffer not from a lack of relevant information, but rather from an over-abundance of irrelevant information.” Ackoff (1967) “Information generated by computer based systems does not include much of the information that is most important to management - especially, important qualitative information.” Dearden (1972) Usefulness of information

Finance: eyes on the road ahead and on the rear-view mirror Control of costs and revenues Report on results to directors and shareholders Plan expenditure (budgets) Pay suppliers (including employees!) Collect cash from customers Manage cash flow and currency exposure Plan for financing requirements (eg. acquisitions)

Finance requirements Smooth transaction processing and A “crisp” database for reporting

Finance requirements Reliable, “one source of the truth” Efficient, automate manual processes Secure, safe from intrusion and disaster Easy to use, visual and accessible Fast, access to up to date information Ability to analyse, download to Excel

Finance requirements Planning (€ targets) Delivering (revenue, savings) Reporting (performance against goals)

Sales vs. Finance views Sale concluded, revenue = € x Cash collected, receipt = € y Discount level? Good payer? Paid in full? Paid when?

UCC Finance - modules General Ledger Accounts Payable/Creditors ledger including Tax Compliance Reporting Accounts Receivable/Debtors ledger/Invoicing Procurement Management Purchase Order Processing Cash Book, Cash Receipts, Cash Forecasting Capital Project Accounting Fixed Asset Register and Management Research Accounting Budgeting and Forecasting Tax Compliance & Reporting Costing Report Writers System Manager

UCC Finance – Phase 2 General Ledger Accounts Payable Accounts Receivable PurchasingCash Fixed Assets Budgeting and Forecasting Reporting Project/ Research Accounting