Handling an efficient information system is mostly a sophisticated process as well as monotonous job for managers. Thus a manager should be aware that the company's information management needs will change eventually and certain steps or procedures may have to be taken or repeated in future. Managers should know about a number of ways in which information technology can affect other companies and how the system can work. They should also be aware of the fact that these consequences can be equally negative or positive. Almost everything depends on the manager's skill level.

It therefore becomes necessary for managers to determine the information need of the organization and established goals for what is to be achieved with the proposed information system. It is imperative for the manager to ensure that his proposed information system has the full support of the management and adequate or required finances are appropriated for the project. If not the project might fail.

Installation & Management: Fast and easy automation for new installations and upgrades is the core benefit. A company with a handful of computers all located in the same office can do individual installations. But it gets harder when a company has a large setup and a gazillion computers. Introduce system management, and the problems go away, the entire process is now streamlined and automated and needs a lot less effort and manpower.

Cost Reduction: First of all, no company, big or small, needs to worry about not benefiting from system management. The only debatable point is the ROI related to the cost of the software and paying a system administrator. Regardless, once implemented, it cuts down the need for IT staffing and other related expenses on a long-term basis. The real savings come from the capability to install new systems and software faster and at a lower cost. Companies start using client-server architecture, ERP and other kinds of enterprise level software and systems. It helps them expand, and open branches where otherwise it may not have been possible. End of the day, it leads to a massive makeover for the entire company, with large-scale improvements in distribution, productivity, work flow and reporting capabilities.

Managers have to develop proper documentation of how the system works and organize effective training for the employees on how to use the system. Both manual and computerized documentation help diagram and instruction sheets. Subsequently, this will avail the employee an opportunity learn how to use the system for different purposes. Beyond pure documentation, however, training may also include sessions which will enable employees to practice using the system under the guidance of experts.

Monitoring: A huge improvement in monitoring capability is one of the biggest advantages here, other than cost effectiveness and automation. Since the data on the network can be monitored, it is possible to make adjustments to more effectively manage peak periods and down time. Employee monitoring helps management keep an eye on employees and detect work patterns.


To summarize, the immediate advantages of using system management are very much real and the possibilities even bigger. End of the day, each company has to make an informed decision about this based on its own size and growth curve. A cost benefit analysis to figure out the ROI of system management software would be a good place to begin.