1. The Information System Manager
Chapter 2
The Information System Manager

2. The ideal system manager has the curiosity of a cat, the persistence of a research scientist, and the energy of an Olympic athlete.
---- Judith Frank

3. What type of system will you manage?
As a property level information system manager, you may manage the following 3 types of computer systems:
Stand-alone personal computer (PC)
Network (LAN, WAN, WiLAN)
Multi-user system
i.e. Fidelio

4. Who should manage the information system?
Patience and good communication skills
Effectively train people
Hands-on experience operating a hospitality computer system
A good working knowledge of hospitality operations
No need to know a programming language or have a mainframe computing background.

5. What are the responsibilities of an information system manager?
Understanding how the information system’s hardware and software function.
Configuring the information system for optimal performance.
Evaluating system performance.
Training system users.
Guarding and preserving the system.
Maintaining a system library.
Building the information plan

6. Understanding how the information system’s hardware and software function
HARDWARE—physical
SOFTWARE - programs

7. HARDWARE

9. SOFTWARE

11. Understanding how the information system’s hardware and software function
Users Manual from Vendors – Opera
Technology Shows, Associations
Journals, Magazines

14. What is the information system focus?
At the lowest level, the Information System (IS) focus is on providing the necessary services at a minimum cost.
At the highest level, information technology is used to redesign major business processes and to create new products and services. IS function should be viewed as an integral part of the business.

15. Think
Strategic Alignment

16. It should be….
Everybody’s focus

17. Interview
Paul Manley Director of Loyalty Marketing Cendant Corporation
30 years experience
Hotels, Cruise Ships, Vendors, Consultants

18. Interview (cont.) Most important skills to have:
1. Big picture- Understand industry drivers
2. Content- Deliver tangible results based on your role
3. Learning- Be able to absorb new information
4. People Skills- Be able to develop long term relationships

19. Interview (cont.)
Advice: Learn about both the hospitality business and information technology.

20. IT Information Technology (IT) is no longer just one department.
Now, everyone in the organization is responsible for IT.
Departmental Managers purchase or play a critical role in the purchasing of IT systems.

21. Welcome to the World of IT
Fast changing
Increasing guest technological demands
Increasing competition
Labor issues

22. IT is the Entire Organization

23. Managing Your Career
Good choice-hospitality and tourism are among the largest and fastest growing industries.
IT opens up career options.
Do a S.W.O.T. analysis.

24. Decisions, Decisions, Decisions
Technology career path:
1. IT Managerial Combines business and technology
2. IT Technical Technology-focused
3. Non Managerial IT
IT is still critical!

25. The three roles IS management can play in an organization
Reactive, in which the information system manager passively responds to ad hoc demands and continual cost-reduction pressures.
acting in return
Proactive, in which the information system manager directs projects focused on improving business operations.
taking action in advance
Coordinative, in which the information system manager focuses on the integration of business requirements and technology.

26. Characteristics of a well-managed system
Accurate, relevant data that is easily accessible.
Necessary resources to carry out tasks in the most efficient and effective manner.
Properly protected and maintained.
Computer downtime 
System utilization and acceptance 
Well-defined information plan

27. Are you ready to be a qualified information system manager?
Keep learning the following chapters!