5.2 Information Systems Careers

Information systems personnel typically work in an IS department. They may also work in
other functional departments or areas in a support capacity. In general, IS personnel are
charged with maintaining the broadest perspective of organizational goals. IS personnel
operate as an internal consultant to all functional areas of the organization, being
knowledgeable and competent in bringing the power of IS to bear throughout the
organization.

For most medium-to large-sized organizations, information resources are typically managed
through an IS department. In smaller businesses, one or more people may manage
information resources, with support from outside services—outsourcing1. Outsourcing is also
popular with larger organizations.

In a typical IS department the head of the department is known as the Chief Information
Officer (CIO)/IT Director and reports to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

As shown in Figure below, the IS organization has three primary responsibilities:
operations, systems development, and support.



Operations
The operations component of a typical IS department focuses on the use of information
systems in corporate or business unit computer facilities.
It tends to focus more on the efficiency of IS functions rather than their effectiveness.
The primary function of a system operator is to run and maintain IS equipment.
System operators are responsible for starting, stopping, and correctly operating computer
systems, networks, tape drives, disk devices, printers, and so on.
Other operations include scheduling, hardware maintenance, and preparation of input and
output.

Data-entry operators convert data into a form the computer system can use.
They may use terminals or other devices to enter business transactions, such as sales orders
and payroll data. Increasingly, data entry is being automated—captured at the source of
the transaction rather than being entered later.

In addition, companies may have local area network and Web or Internet operators who
are responsible for running the local network and any Internet sites the company may have.

Systems Development
The systems development component of a typical IS department focuses on specific
development projects and ongoing maintenance and review.
System development includes system analysts and programming staff.
The role of a systems analyst is multifaceted. Systems analysts help users determine what
outputs they need from the system and construct the plans needed to develop the
necessary programs that produce these outputs.

Systems analysts then work with one or more programmers (team work) to make sure that
the appropriate programs are purchased, modified from existing programs, or developed.
The major responsibility of a computer programmer is to use the plans developed by the
systems analyst to develop or adapt one or more computer programs that produce the
desired outputs.

The main focus of systems analysts and programmers is to achieve and maintain IS
effectiveness.

With the dramatic increase in the use of the Internet, intranets, and extranets, many
companies have Web or Internet developers who are responsible for developing effective
and attractive Internet sites for customers, internal personnel, suppliers, stockholders, and
others with a business relationship with the company.

Support
The support component of a typical IS department focuses on providing user assistance in
the areas of hardware and software acquisition and use, data administration, user training
and assistance, and Web administration.

Because IS hardware and software are costly, especially if purchase mistakes are made, the
acquisition of computer hardware and software is often managed by a specialized support
group.

This group sets guidelines and standards for the rest of the organization to follow in making
purchases.

Gaining and maintaining an understanding of available technology, evaluation of these
technologies, as well as vendor relationship management is an important part of the
acquisition of information systems.

A database administrator focuses on planning, policies, and procedures regarding the use
of corporate data and information.

For example, database administrators develop and disseminate information about the
corporate databases for developers of IS applications.
In addition, the database administrator is charged with monitoring and controlling database
use.

User training is a key to get the most from any information system.
The support area insures that appropriate training is available to users.
Training can be provided by internal staff or from external sources.

For example, internal support staff may train managers and employees in the best way to
enter sales orders, to receive computerized inventory reports, and to submit expense reports
electronically.

Companies also hire outside firms to help train users in other areas, including the use of word
processing, spreadsheets, and database programs.
Web administration is another key area of the support function.
With the increased use of the Internet and corporate Web sites, Web administrators are
sometimes asked to regulate and monitor Internet use by employees and managers to
make sure that it is authorized and appropriate.

Web administrators also are responsible for maintaining the corporate Web site.
The support component typically operates the information center.
An information center provides users with assistance, training, application development,
documentation, equipment selection and setup, standards, technical assistance, and
troubleshooting.

Other IS Careers
Apart from careers associated with a typical IS department in an organization, IS personnel
can work for consulting firms such as IBM and EDS. Other jobs include working in IT education,
Sales/Marketing of IT services among others.

Skills Required by IS Personnel
The type of skills required by an IS personnel may vary depending on their job description.
However, generally, in addition to technical skills, IS personnel need to develop written and
verbal communication skills, leadership skills, inter-personal skills, analytical and administration
skills among others. As most careers related to IS involves considerable amount of team work,
it is important to acquire skills required to work efficiently and effectively in a group/team.
According to George Voutes, enterprise technology programs manager for Deutsche Asset
Management Technology, “We have to get away from strict programming and systems
development. Those are skills to get into the field, but we have to train our technology
people more like business people and arm them with strong communications
skills.”