QUESTION 1 (25 Marks)

Management information systems (MIS) employ new technology changes in a business. These changes have a great impact on the business and allow for a business to be successful. Business invests in information systems and technologies because they want to achieve six objectives.

Discuss these SIX (6) objectives and provide examples.

QUESTION 2 (25 Marks)

When you examine businesses these days, you will find that some perform better than others. These firms perform better because they have a competitive advantage over the next. Michael Porters model is used to achieve great competitiveness.

Discuss Porters competitive forces model, and Information system strategies for dealing with competitive forces.

QUESTION 3 (10 Marks)

There are various ways to improving quality even though business face challenges such as reducing cycle time and simplifying the production process. Reducing the cycle time will reduce the quality problems. Explain how information systems improve quality.

QUESTION 4 (20 Marks)

Online Transaction Processing (OLTP) is a type of computerised processing that will process the transactions immediately. There will not be any delay in processing the transactions. The online system will show the current status of the transaction. The process will be fast and efficient, adding great value to the customer. Many companies make use of the internet to capture and process transactions.

Discuss the steps involved in the Transaction Processing Cycle.

QUESTION 5 (20 Marks)

If you use computers in your business to function, then you might not want the computer to be down when you will need to place orders with the suppliers whenever a customer tries to transact. You will need to make sure that the computer is secure and always working otherwise the business will find it very hard to recover. Security means having policies and procedures in place which will be used as a measure to prevent unauthorised access, alternation, theft or any physical damage to the information system. Controls are methods and policies in place which will ensure the organisation and assets are safe. The controls will also ensure the records are reliable and operational and up to management standards.

Discuss why information systems are vulnerable to destruction, error and abuse.