Information Systems

What are Information Systems? The largest growth in most economies is coming from 'information' industries. The success of such knowledge-based organizations lies in their information systems. Also, forced by technological change and globalization of markets, many manufacturing industries are also placing increasing emphasis upon information systems. Information systems are more than just computer programs. Though information and communications technologies are playing an increasing role in meeting organizations’ information needs, an information system is a much more general concept. It refers to the wider systems of people, data and activities, both computer-based and manual, that effectively gather, process, store and disseminate organizations’ information.

Information Systems not Computer Science Information systems, as a discipline, focuses on exploring the interface between management, information science and computer science. Computer Science focuses on information technology: software. Information Systems mediates the two opposing worlds of human activity systems and information technology Career prospects in Information Systems A recent survey by the Association for Computing Machinery established buoyancy in the IT jobs market, exceeding that of the market at the peak of the IT boom, six years ago. Also, throughout the current decade, salaries in this area have increased, year on year. Consequently, knowledge of the state of the art in information systems development, application and management is at a premium in the workplace. This knowledge can be deployed in a range of professional positions, including information systems consultancy, systems analysis and design, and information systems project management. There are also positions in research and education concerned with advanced studies in information systems.

What can you get from an Information Systems course? The value of the information systems professional stems from a breadth of knowledge and skills. Requirements of an information system are to do with the people and organizations that the system must serve, as well as IT capabilities. Consequently, the field is a multidisciplinary one, which requires specialist knowledge of the computer world, the world of organisations and people for whom the system must process information, and the professional skills and knowledge to make the former work for the latter. Not least, the information systems professional will have communication and interpersonal skills, for example, needed to elicit those requirements and communicate analyses and designs to decision makers. A graduate from an information system programme will have studied each of these aspects to acquire theoretical and practical knowledge which they will be able to apply confidently in organizations of all kinds. Reflecting the multidisciplinarity of the field, Information Systems degree programmes offer a carefully chosen mix of social, management and technical aspects, such as: information systems within the contexts of organisations, management and the information society; computing knowledge and skills in programming, computer architectures and networks; techniques for information systems analysis and design, including database design methods, and related professional and legal knowledge. After completing, graduates may go on to take up a specialist information systems management positions - such as information systems manager, IT manager, corporate IT administrator or information systems consultant, to name but a few possibilities - but more broadly you will gain a solid foundation for taking up a variety of work roles in this rapidly changing society.

Information Management Courses Studying a graduate Information Management course puts you one step ahead in the new information society that demands that every citizen is information literate if they are to benefit economically and socially. The rapid pace of technological change and other factors such as the globalisation of markets and the turbulence of business environments means that the need for employees with graduate level information management expertise is increasing. New information and communication technologies (ICTs), particularly the Internet and the World Wide Web, are contributing to far-reaching changes to both business models and organisational processes. Against this background, the need for specialist expertise gained from studying a graduate course in information management is at a premium.

What is Information Management? Information management is centrally concerned with identifying, organising, evaluating, storing and disseminating information in the most effective and efficient manner. Importantly, it involves understanding how organisations work, and how information strategies must take into account people's needs and behaviour. This involves using information systems and information technology to maximise information resources to meet organisational and individual requirements

What Does an Information Manager Do? Information managers are the people who can ensure that the right information reaches the right people, at the right time and in the right format. Therefore, the information manager commands a powerful mix of people skills and knowledge of organisational behaviour and processes, as well as the required information systems and resources. This is now making information managers increasingly more attractive to potential employers, since both private and public sector organisations are putting increasing emphasis on information as a source for competitive advantage.

What can you get from an Information Management Course? Graduates from an Information Management course acquire theoretical and practical knowledge which they will be able to apply confidently in organisations of all kinds. Reflecting the multidisciplinarity of the field, graduate Information Management degree programmes offer a carefully chosen mix of social, management and technical aspects, such as information society, organisational learning and behaviour, information systems modelling or even website design. Therefore, Information Management Master's degrees typically attract candidates with a diversity of first degree subject backgrounds, ranging from science and technology through to social sciences and humanities.

Career Prospects in Information Management Information Management courses prepare graduates for careers as information professionals, or more broadly, for work in a wide variety of organisational, consultancy and research roles which also demand expertise in information and knowledge management. The emphasis of Information Management Master's programmes is usually on encouraging the development of a blend of knowledge, skills and awareness which will enable effective mediation between information users, resources and information systems in specific organisational contexts. Students also acquire practical experience in the use of new ICTs and develop personal awareness and skills of relevance to information management in a variety of workplace roles, e.g. skills in information literacy, communication, group work and research After completing, graduates from information management courses may go on to take up a specialist information management position - such as Chief Information Officer, Information Systems Manager, Knowledge Manager or Corporate Planner, to name but a few possibilities - but more broadly you will gain a solid foundation for taking up a variety of work roles in this rapidly changing society. For instance, Jonathan Hyde who completed the MSc in IM in Sheffield in 2005 is currently employed by Cheltenham Borough Council as a Business Consultant in Web Technologies. From the same course, Chia-Hui Feng is now working as a Business Analyst for GDS Electronic Data Systems in Taiwan.

Preparation By : Mahmoud Mohamed.y Alfarra