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Information Systems Role and Applications
Information systems, both a college major and a concrete set of complementary networks of hardware and software used to collect, filter, process, create and distribute data, are a growing necessity in the business workforce. The study of information systems effectively bridges business and computer science, using algorithms, information, and computation to store, transfer, mutate, and analyze data.

Companies across the world are going paperless. Why the sudden global passion for going green? Business is not shifting in order to help the planet, but rather, the economy. The obvious cheapest, fastest, and most effective manner of storing company data is through information systems, comprehensive databases, and processing applications. This gives the company easy access to any stored data, capability to analyze data for trends that can pinpoint problems, and more.

Analysis of both market trends and trends within the company is the primary goal for information systems. Knowledge of the market dictates helps organizations break down their decisions and improve upon them for the future, bolstering the company’s longevity and profitability over time.

The ability to analyze data is imperative, but perhaps the most innovative facet of information systems is business is the simplicity and ease with which projects can be created and presented, information can be compiled and displayed, data can be shared, information can be searched, and more.

As information systems get more complex and efficient, businesses are relying on them with higher frequency. The diversity provided by integration into ERP systems make information systems a more valuable entity than ever before.
Integration (ERP)
Enterprise Resource Planning, or ERP systems are the software through which businesses run every facet of operation. Some of the most well-known systems are SAP, Oracle, Quickbooks, Peachtree, or NetSuite. It’s used to pay employees, to process sales, receive money, track all money, track assets, marketing analysis (with connections) and much more. The type of ERP system has different modules. The more modules a system has, the more applications of the system for the business.

There can be a module for virtually anything. A service module tracks serial numbers, warranty information, repair history, and any other information vital to the optimal repair of the product. The module serves as a tool to quickly determine a solution, and the cost of that solution.

Separate inventory tracking modules can be purchased, such as Assetworx, which will allow the company to manage location of every asset in the warehouse, and this information can be integrated through any ERP system.
Using Assets to Improve Customer Service
Modules integrated into a company’s ERP system can be used to drastically improve the customer experience. For a company that delivers its products direct to the consumer, a delivery module integrated into the business’ ERP could optimize the transaction process. It can allow for a code to be scanned, pulling up the customer transaction history, payment options, repair information, warranty information, and more, all on one portable screen.

There can even be a running record of the customer, allowing access to their file, past purchases, and current purchases to make for a fast delivery and payment.

An asset management system integrated into ERP, like Assetworx, can quickly optimize service for both the consumer and the employee. With an RFID system, checking to see if an item is in stock is as simple as checking the Assetworx program. When a product is faulty, its profile through Assetworx gives warranty information to determine cost of repair quickly, information to determine the problem, past repair history, and more. This allows for a quick and easy repair process, and with an efficient delivery module, a quick return to the customer as well.

The use of asset management systems shows no bounds. It is a rapidly growing industry, not only helpful in distribution and in tracking assets, but in improving customer experience across the board. Costs are dropping, service is improving, and efficiency is optimized through effective asset management.

Integration into ERP systems is a growing field. All that’s left is to integrate asset management into modern business.

To choose what system you want to integrate into your business, go to http://www.abr.com/Solution/New-Asset-Management.

Image cc Flickr via Argonne National Laboratory