This article attempts a theoretical approach to Integrated Business Information Management Systems, for this it starts with a brief sketch on the concept and generalities of companies and reflects on the importance of information and its management as a guarantee of success.
The main definitions, characteristics and classifications of the systems are also assessed, with special emphasis on information systems. It concludes with an analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of the design and implementation of an Integrated Business Information Management System.
Introduction:
Information is currently considered a resource that is at the same level as financial, material and human resources, which up to now had constituted the axes on which business management had revolved. If traditional economic theory kept capital, land and labor as primary elements of study, information has now become the fourth resource to manage. Muñoz Cañavate (2004).
For the company, information has acquired, for several decades, an essential role. It is considered an asset that must be managed, so that without its presence, effective decision-making is not understood. Thus, the staff of any company needs external and internal information to make decisions and to be able to plan within the framework of their strategies and needs.
Information management is the process that is responsible for providing the necessary resources for decision-making, as well as to improve the processes, products and services of the organization, and it takes on special importance in companies with the appearance of information technology.
The term computer system has often been used as a synonym for information system, but not in all cases the construction of an information system involves the use of computer technology, although it is assumed that today any information system in the business environment, no matter how small, requires minimal computer processes.
There is a close link between information management and different business functions such as the generation and application of strategies, the establishment of policies, as well as the development of an organizational and social culture aimed at the rational, effective and efficient use of information in function of the objectives and goals of the companies in terms of performance and quality.
Information systems, as an essential part of the infrastructure for business management, provide information and promote the generation of knowledge to find solutions to the problems faced by organizations. However, the dispersion of these systems brings great disadvantages to organizations such as the misuse of resources, the greater bureaucracy due to the separation of the systems, the low efficiency in their control due to having to increase administrative control of the workers, the loss of motivation of the employees due to the confusion between the different management systems and finally, the management loses the global vision about the clients and the workers.
With the development of this work it is intended to substantiate, from the theoretical point of view, the importance of Integrated Information Management Systems; as a strategy for business success.
Development
1. The company and its generalities.
When researching in the business world it is very important to know what the definition of a company is in order to have a clear idea about its basic characteristics, functions, objectives and elements that compose it. Table 1.1 includes the main definitions found in the consulted literature.
Source: self made.
From the detailed analysis of these definitions, it is possible to highlight some relevant aspects, which are shown in figure 1.2, and which in the opinion of the author of this work define the concept of company.
