What is the difference between information systems and information management?

Unraveling the distinctions between management information systems (MIS) and information technology (IT) starts with understanding that IT is a component of MIS. IT operations comprise personnel, hardware and software that collect data from day-to-day internal and external business transactions and maintain and support automated processes throughout the enterprise.

On the other hand, MIS reviews and analyzes the data collected by IT, then organizes and transmits it to relevant operational, management and executive functions — finance, marketing, human resources and supply chain management, for instance — to facilitate data-based decision-making.

How Do Businesses Use MIS to Create Competitive Advantage?

MIS delivers the business intelligence that enables organizations to make decisions more quickly and with a higher degree of confidence, which are critical factors to differentiating themselves in the market, optimizing internal systems and clarifying visibility throughout the supply chain.

Enterprise resources enhance business performance and can keep “businesses profitable, on the cutting edge, and ahead of the competition” by working to identify gaps in the system.

What Are the Distinctions Between IT and MIS Career Tracks?

IT positions, according to Indeed.com, include help-desk and support specialists who analyze end-user computer and network issues and solve them, technicians and website programmers.

Because MIS responsibilities include converting transactional data into business intelligence, careers in that field require not only technical knowledge but also understanding and insight into enterprise-wide operations, goals and processes. Among Career Explorer‘s top jobs for MIS professionals are:

  • Search Engine Optimization Specialists review and analyze data generated by prospect, customer and vendor engagement with an enterprise’s online presence to enhance its performance and meet organizational goals.
  • Database Administrators understand business objectives to design and deploy processes for storing, protecting and organizing increasingly large data sets and facilitate their conversion into business intelligence.
  • Information Security Analysts anticipate threats and implement policies and procedures to protect digital assets, which requires knowledge of all enterprise IT systems and how they support the business.
  • IT Managers possess a unique combination of business skills and technical expertise that makes MIS professionals ideal managers of digital systems, analytics and data flow.
  • Data Scientists discover data trends and patterns, interpret them and report them in concise, actionable reports that enable an organization to make informed strategic decisions.

What Is the Career Outlook for MIS vs. IT graduates?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job prospects for IT and MIS professionals are growing. MIS graduates, however, command starting salaries upwards of $151,000; wages for top jobs for IT professionals start at $127,000.

A Master of Science in Management Information Systems provides data professionals, whether entering the job market or advancing their careers, with competitive advantage in a high-demand, challenging and rewarding field. For example, graduates of Lamar University’s online Master of Science in Management Information Systems program are prepared for SAP S/4HANA certification and have experience in Oracle enterprise resources planning software, Primavera P6 software, Tableau self-service analytics and more.

Learn more about Lamar University’s Master of Science in Management Information Systems online program.

three

The Importance of Artificial Intelligence in Management Information Systems

Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the way organizations do business. The organizations that use it most effectively recognize the risks of relying on computers to…

Read more

Why Pursue a Career in IT Project Management?

The information technology (IT) sector is robust, lucrative and constantly expanding. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that computer and information systems managers…

Read more

Information Management Can Give Your Company a Competitive Advantage

A management information system (MIS) gathers data and analyzes the information to aid businesses and organizations to make decisions, maximize their advantages and innovate to…

Read more

Long Term Digital Preservation: The New Normal

If you have ever tried to migrate Microsoft Excel 97 data from a 3.5-inch floppy diskette, you probably are familiar with the challenges of long-term…

Read more

How Can Management Information Systems Solve Problems in the Real World?

Management information systems (MIS) can refer to individual information systems, an organizational department and a field of study. MIS addresses organizational information management needs, supports…

Read more

The Value of a Master of Science in Management Information Systems

  From small startups to large corporations, businesses in today’s digital economy rely heavily on numerous information technologies and systems. These systems can automate mundane…

Read more

Third Generation LU Student Keeya Andrews Earning MS in MIS

  Kevin, Keeya and Wilbert Andrews In 1956, Alice Jefferson became one of the first African American students to enroll in Lamar University. Eight years…

Read more

ERP Analyst Madison Cole Explains Logic of MS in Management Information Systems

Madison celebrating her Lamar University graduation Madison Cole is a logical person. She thinks logically, and she chooses her education logically. That is why, when…

Read more

MS in MIS at LU = ROI for Online Student Stephen Greene

  Some things just make sense. For Stephen Greene, earning his Master of Science in Management Information Systems online from Lamar University is all about…

Read more

Influence of Information Technology on Business

As businesses become more dependent on digital systems to gain efficiencies and cut costs, the demand is growing for information technology (IT) professionals with advanced…

Read more

Why Do Technology Professionals Need Knowledge of E-Commerce?

Consumer online spending surged during the 2020-21 lockdowns mandated by governments trying to control the spread of COVID-19. While the lockdown requirements of the pandemic…

Read more

Have a question or concern about this article? Please contact us.

Our Commitment to Content Publishing Accuracy

Articles that appear on this website are for information purposes only. The nature of the information in all of the articles is intended to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered.

The information contained within this site has been sourced and presented with reasonable care. If there are errors, please contact us by completing the form below.

Timeliness: Note that most articles published on this website remain on the website indefinitely. Only those articles that have been published within the most recent months may be considered timely. We do not remove articles regardless of the date of publication, as many, but not all, of our earlier articles may still have important relevance to some of our visitors. Use appropriate caution in acting on the information of any article.

Report inaccurate article content:

  • Name*

  • Email Address*

  • Feedback*

This iframe contains the logic required to handle Ajax powered Gravity Forms.

Request More Information

Submit this form, and an Enrollment Specialist will contact you to answer your questions.

  • *All fields required.

  • Program of Interest*

  • First Name*

  • Last Name*

  • Email*

  • Phone*

  • ZIP Code*

  • How did you hear about us?*

This iframe contains the logic required to handle Ajax powered Gravity Forms.

Or call 866-223-7675

By submitting this form, I am providing my digital signature agreeing that Lamar University (LU) may email me or contact me regarding educational services by telephone and/or text message utilizing automated technology or a pre-recorded message at the telephone number(s) provided above. I understand this consent is not a condition to attend LU or to purchase any other goods or services.

What is the relationship between information systems and management?

Management information is an important input for efficient performance of various managerial functions at different organization levels. The information system facilitates decision making. Management functions include planning, controlling and decision making.

What is the difference between MIS and IMS?

IMS is a specialized term that is famous among Computer Science students and other computer professionals. However, IMS is a superset of MIS. Management Information System focus is to just focus to manage the information system to facilitate the management activities.