An Information System is much more than the Information Technology that enables it. Often we focus too
narrowly on the Information Technology component at the expense of
understanding the other vital ingredients necessary for an effective
Information System. Consider the following anecdote:
- A CEO with hotel chain A found himself having to spend a night in a
hotel from hotel chain B. Naturally, he was very curious as to what
kind of information systems they had, and resolved to keep an open eye
for competitive use of IT. As he approached the reception for first
time, the woman behind it smiled at him and said "Welcome back, Sir!"
- Flabbergasted, he said "But...it is 12 years since I was here last! How
could you know that I have stayed here before, what kind of advanced
information systems do you have that can store and find the fact that I
was here 12 years ago?"
- "Well, it is really very simple", she said. "When the doorman opened
the door to your cab, he asked if this was your first stay with us. You
answered no, and as you walked through the door, the doorman looked at
me through the window and touched his nose. That told me that you
should be welcomed back...."
Moral of the story: Information systems don't have to mean information
technology.... |