Information systems supports day to day transaction in many domains such as bank, telecom, hospital, administrations, manufacturing,... IS also improves decision making processes, performance and support operations within the organisation. They are complex and require expertise. How are they built? How do you find the right resources to implement them?
What is an information system?
An information system is an organised set of resources, processes, technologies and people that collect, store, process, transmit and use data to support the activities of an organisation. It encompasses both the technical and organisational aspects of information management.
There are different types of information systems: database management systems, enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, customer relationship management (CRM) systems, content management systems, decision support systems, etc., which are specifically designed to meet particular organisational needs.
How is an information system developed?
At Kalytech Consulting we often use the analogy of building a brick & mortar house to describe the complexity of an information system.
- First meeting with the house architect can be compared to business needs expressed by information systems users'
- The High Level design represents the global vision of the system, like the global plans of the house. The Low Level Design can be compared to detailed plan of the house: electrical circuits, plumbing and sewage systems…
- the technological infrastructure of the information system corresponds to the tools to build the house. It is the set of hardware, software and networks that both support development and the operation of the system.
- The system components, their layout and interconnection correspond to the walls and structures of the house. This includes the different modules, databases, interfaces, communication protocols and connections between the different elements of the system.
- The applications and functionalities of the information system correspond to the rooms in the house, intended for specific uses (human resources management, stock management, accounting, etc.)
- The technical elements of the information system can be compared to the electrical installations, plumbing and safety equipment (important point!)
- The users of the information system find their way around it, like the residents of a house, to carry out their activities.
Why use consultants to create an information system?
- The consultant comes with specialised and up-to-date technical expertise.
- He will be on-boarded for project duration with a known start & end date (quite often a moving target !)
- His external perspective allows him to analyse the situation objectively, without internal bias, and improve the efficiency of existing processes.
- Freelancers save time for internal employees, who can focus on their core responsibilities. They can take over tasks related to planning, requirements analysis, design, development and testing of the system (important!).
- Freelancers will allow large organisation to manage workload up and down, they will be the adjustment variable during the project duration.
- An experienced consultant will minimize risks, interruptions and errors.
- These experts can transfer their knowledge and skills to the staff for further management of the system.
- Consultants can recommend appropriate suppliers, tools and technologies, and facilitate the external collaborations needed to create the information system.
In summary, using consultants to develop or enhance an information system provides qualitative support over a specific period of time without having to hire staff and overburdening internal teams.
The tech expertise of the consultant allows to build a fluid and safe IS that improves the quality of the work. Outsourcing this type of mission improves efficiency and quality in the company.
