Information Technology Distribute Data

Question :

Conduct some research and provide specific examples including what companies have focused on Workflow areas and examples of types of information systems used to gather, analyze and distribute data.

Answer :

It is a repeatable process that consists of a set of tasks that should be accomplished in a given sequence in order to achieve the desired goal (Bistacchi et al., 2020). It can be better understood with an example. In a car manufacturing company, in order to deliver a car ready to drive, various processes involved such as procurement of raw materials, tools and equipment, assembling, painting, interior design, testing, and driving. This is an example of a workflow in which car manufacturing take place in different phases. There are three major types of workflow such as process workflow, case workflow, as well as project workflow.

A process workflow takes place when a series of tasks are repetitive as well as predictable. Similarly, project workflow has a structured path as a process workflow. However, there may be more flexibility in order to complete the project. On the other hand, case workflow takes place when the path to complete the work at the start is not known.

Every company requires to focus on workflow extensively because of its importance. Workflow significantly helps in improving business operations. It defines specific steps as well as sequences that are needed to complete a project. Thus, using workflow the organization can ensure that the work is being completed by the right person in the right order as well as within the given timeframe (Hess, 2018). Apart from this, the organization can also eliminate redundant activities as well as processes with the help of workflow. Using a workflow diagram, the organization can easily detect redundancies and eliminate them. It also helps in reducing operational expenses. It also allows organizations to quickly respond to the identified problems in order to improve business operations and processes.

It has been found that manufacturing companies have significantly focused on this area because it is of great importance for manufacturing companies. For example, in order to improve the operation and production processes of the organization, Toyota Motors has implemented Kanban. Kanban is a workflow management system that helps in improving the processes of the organization to accomplish work within the given timeframe and in the right order. Considering the importance of workflow on the processes and business operations, service companies are also using it (Leyrer et al., 2017). There is various software that is widely used by service companies in order to improve their performance and productivity such as WorkflowMax, Asana, Slack, Time Doctor, etc. 

These companies use a wide range of information systems in order to gather, analyze, as well as distribute data. Some of the key information systems are transaction processing systems, knowledge work systems, decision support systems, executive support systems, management information systems, office automation systems, etc.

References

Leyrer, C. M., Kittel, J., Meier, T., Barrett, P., Suh, J. H., Tendulkar, R. D., & Chao, S. T. (2017). The Importance of Standardization in Workflow Enhancement and Patient Safety. International Journal of Radiation Oncology• Biology• Physics, 99(2), E557.