In the dynamic environment in which business develops, small companies that invest in IT solutions to support their business strategies improve their competitive performance. Incorporating information systems has become the pillar for adequate decision-making, allowing small companies to have an infrastructure that allows them to compete with large corporations and penetrate international businesses, improving productivity and response times towards the needs of their clients. and suppliers.
Implementing electronic business in small companies has generated a transformation process in the management of their businesses, since changing the traditional way of managing processes includes not only a restructuring of them, but also a cultural change within the organization., where leaders and employees have an important role for the success in the optimization of technological systems.
Keywords: Small business information systems, electronic business, transformational processes, information management, IT solutions.
INTRODUCTION
Incorporating IT solutions in small businesses encourages continuous interaction between key elements within the organizational structure: human talent, process management transformation, and IT technology. The article will analyze the aspects involved in business management that interact when implementing information systems in small companies. It is important to consider that the knowledge and management of information has become one of the most impactful resources within small industries, that is why electronic businesses generate the necessary channel for the delivery of quality, timely, relevant and suitable for assertive decision making, which if well managed, allows small companies to have a competitive infrastructure.
METHODOLOGY
The bibliographic source used for the preparation of the article was the digital library of the Instituto Tecnológico de Estudios Superiores Monterrey - ITESM. The databases that were consulted were: EBSCO, ProQuest, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, ACM Digital Library and IEEE.
CHAPTER 1 "Change Process - Information Management"
Clearly identifying the relevant information for the business and how to acquire it is crucial for the implementation of IT solutions as a base tool for making strategic decisions.Traditionally, investment in IT systems was not a priority in small companies, business leaders Small companies made decisions based on previous experiences, using minimal information on the market and little was considered the impact of the decision within the current environment where the company is managed. It was common to work with inadequate information, where the data channels between functional areas were limited, maintaining insufficient integrated information on project progress and meeting goals both in the short and long term. According to Lind (2000),indicates that decisions in small companies were based on solutions to previous problems, considering few parameters and where information systems were basically used for accounting issues. However, today, information systems provide the opportunity for small companies to have the information required and with quality for making appropriate decisions, where managing integrated information from the key processes of the company was no longer a Advantage solution only for large corporations, but also applies for small businesses.Information systems provide the opportunity for small companies to have the required and quality information for appropriate decision-making, where managing integrated information from the company's key processes was no longer an advantage solution only for large corporations., but also applies to small businesses.Information systems provide the opportunity for small companies to have the required and quality information for appropriate decision-making, where managing integrated information from the company's key processes was no longer an advantage solution only for large corporations., but also applies to small businesses.
It is important to note how the traditional currents in small companies have evolved towards a competitive approach when referring to the implementation of computer systems, where small companies claimed to be conservative in adopting information systems and their concentration was directed towards transactional and operational processes more While strategic, they presented high budget limitations for investment in technology and restructuring of processes, in addition to the fact that there was no diversity of products and services in the market that would meet the needs of small companies (Harney, 2005). Considering these currents of change, today,Small companies have opportunities than large corporations in opting for information systems as a competitive solution for the optimization of their processes and information management, where, although implemented, investment in technology generates immediate results. Additionally, the number of companies that provide IT solutions products and services has increased their portfolio of services, providing small companies to have more options from which to choose the information system that best suits their needs at a lower cost. convenient.providing small companies to have more options from which to choose the information system that best suits their needs at a more convenient cost.providing small companies to have more options from which to choose the information system that best suits their needs at a more convenient cost.
CHAPTER 2 "Transformation of processes, Talent and Technology"
The implementation of information systems requires a restructuring of the internal business processes, generating an integration and exchange of knowledge between the areas of the company developing a synergy between them, changing purely transactional processes towards new ways of analyzing and sharing information. This transformation of processes requires a human team highly aware of the benefits that these changes will bring to the organization and how by optimizing technology it will reduce re-processes in the preparation of information, it will present indicators in a timely manner, providing quality data for decision making. assertive.
It is a challenge for small companies to start with the implementation of information systems, since it is necessary to align business processes and integrate new tools, mainly because owners and managers are still forced to question whether they have the structure to implement information systems and keep it active and efficient over time.
According to the study carried out by Ihlstrom (2003), it is advisable to keep in mind the objectives of the organization, the actions and results expected among all members, thus, the first step for any investment in information systems is to clearly define the vision of the company from which the strategic business plans will be built and the working methods will be established. Defining the priorities and business strategy will be the basis for the investment, since the information systems requirements will emerge from this definition. It is important to consider that the more complex the business environment, the more information is required, so with an information system, the management can have the necessary tools for better decision-making.
As part of the transformation process, it is essential to maintain a highly motivated and empowered work team that allows generating suggestions in the processes managed, focusing on continuous improvement of both the internal service and that also provided to external entities, be it a supplier or a client. final. The members of the organization must have active participation in any restructuring of processes or change management, since they contribute with their experience and knowledge for the optimization and evaluation of process modifications for the implementation of information systems, additionally, they know the specific requirements that are needed for each functional area.
Thus, to choose the implementation of information systems, small companies must carefully review their vision and business strategy, establish clear objectives and deploy them to all members of the organization and decentralize the information. The processes of changes and structuring of processes bring an organizational change that has to be managed properly, communicating to all those involved why this change is being chosen and the planned benefits of return on investment. Graph number 1 refers to the relationship that exists between the agents involved in the transformation of processes in conjunction with the talent and technology of a company. It is important to consider that the environment where the company is developing must be kept in mind,what competitors, the industry are doing, and what options for IT products and services are available (Ihlstrom, 2003).
Figure 1, CHAPTER 3 "Continuous Improvement Opportunity"
The small business market has a tendency to grow dramatically globally in the next 10 years (Harney, 2005), which is why it encourages companies to adopt technological solutions as a fundamental piece to stay competitive, for example opting for the implementation of the Internet and content of technological administration on the Web. The use of the Internet allows small companies to survive and grow in global markets, international sales, and compete with large corporations (Zerendeler, 2007).
According to Van Brakel (2006), more than 60% of small and medium-sized companies in the United States and Canada have adopted information systems, while in Asia and Latin America, they are also growing, although at a slightly slower pace.. Small companies that have the vision to do business at an international level recognize that without information systems they have a high level of failure.
It is important to note that even if an information system is successfully implemented in a small company, it is key to evaluate and monitor each stage of the company's value process, ensuring that the requirements are being met according to plan, and mainly maintaining a continuous improvement review throughout the process.
Graph 2, As indicated in graph number 2, the management of processes and implementation of best practices is a continuous process that must be considered from the moment of planning the selection of the information system that best meets the expectations and needs of the company until the final stage once the incorporation of information systems is complete (Johnston, 2004). This iterative flow process generates learning results throughout the functional and company areas, incorporates best practices and knowledge within the cycle of implementation of activities. The high quality and efficiency in the use of information, as well as the ability of a small company to remain competitive in a global market,is strongly established by the ability to manage your information as a key asset shared throughout the company, allowing a better business decision at each stage of the business process.
CONCLUSION
Although it was considered that only multinationals and large corporations would be impacted by globalization, today, it is small companies that incorporate electronic business in their value processes to stay competitive in the market.
Incorporating e-business in small companies fosters a continuous interaction between key elements within the organizational structure: human talent, transformation of process management and information technology. By correctly managing this interaction aligned with the strategies of the companies, it is generated from the electronic business as a competitive tool. It is important to consider that the optimization of electronic business also generates an impact with the market environment, that is, communication with suppliers and customers is involved.
Keeping in mind the benefits generated by investing in electronic business in small companies, helps to understand and structure business processes, continuously improves the performance of the people who direct them, in the chain of standardized processes and with the market environment. This opportunity and market demand has allowed Software companies to develop systems that meet the electronic business requirements for small companies.
Bibliography
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