1.0 Introduction
1.1 Background of the Study
Broadly defines, a computer is any device that computers, calculates or records. Thus, the abuse adding machines and slide rule are all forms of calculating derives.
The definition of computer has become more limited in a contemporary range.
A computer is now define as an electronic device that process data and it is capable of receiving input and output and posses such characteristics as high speed, accrual and the ability to store a set of instructions for solving a problems.
The computer took over centuries to endure, undergoing four generations, reckoning from time to time, serious efforts began toward simplifying mathematical computation. Quite a few people were involved in the eventual development of the computer and several of the scientists who made those useful contributions did not really aim at developing a computer extremely important to computer development. Four inventions and innovation were particularly useful in development of computers. These are contributions of Joseph Jacquard Charles babbage, Alar Trwnning and John Von Nenman.
Between 1802 and 1804, Joseph Jacquard, a French textile manufacturer developed the Jacquard card to hold textile design information in form of brining patterns which revealed some of the advantage of using binary nations in machine design and data storage.
This intention and innovation challenged other scientist, which led Charles Babbae to exploit the advantages of Jacquard innovation to invent the Difference engine and Analytical engine. This earned him the name father of modern computers. These engines were essentially for general purpose computation but they suffered a limitation of non-discovered of an electronic switch.
In 1937, Alar Trunning showed that a computer can be build with a set of simple instruction which any problem having a logical solution can reduced to a solution based upon a small set of simple instruction. A few years later (1940) John Von Nowana set out a summary of the design requirement for a modern computer as follows.
- Binary codes should be used to represented data and instruction in a way that makes no distinction of the two and stall allow them, the storage space in the computer.
- The ability of the computer to process these data and instruction which include the use of programmes and modified programmes accordingly.
Based on these contribution and innovations of these scientist and others, the modern computer came to be. It underwent series of improvement which gave rise to fourth computer generation before we have today modern computer.
However, the introduction of their general derive and machine and simpler programming langrage greatly increased the computer utility especially in management information system (MIS) which basically doodles on how information is obtained, retried and utilized hence computers are now indispensable tools of business, because electronic data processing or the use of computers I grooving and is capable of meeting the need of it's and security and extends to other area such as marketing, accounting, inventory management and production process and office automation.
Finally, there modern computers are still undergoing impactment which the computer age is experiencing a digital revolution which has now transformed the end of the last one and greatly improving the management information system of today's.
It is said that to manage the organization is to mange its future. How can the future be managed? The answer clearly is that the future can be managed through timely procurement of relevant reliable information system. The whole lot of activities therefore ranging from information procurement through it's collation, valuation and analysis to feedback makeup what can be seen as a system. This type of system in management is known as management information system (MIS).
Management information system is the formal process of data collection organization analyzing, procession, and dispensing of information in internal and external within the organization in an effective and efficient manner. It entails not only any organized and integrated approach at placing relevant and timely information on the denk of the managers for decision making, but also the control and accessibility of such information. At any point in time as may be demanded by management (Wilkinson 1993).
Primary, the management information system (MIS) is set up for the purpose of providing, planning and controlling information to all levels of management to effect appropriate decision making. Thus, it does by gathering data, inputting and processing them into information and further disseminating these ideas of information to management in form of financial as well as non-financial information system and the personnel information system depending on the type of organization.
This management information system provides management with varying information depending on the level thereby making for increase in the efficiency of the organization through better management decision, more effective utilization of resources and increase profits better.
A management information system perform four basic functions.
- Collection of data from a variety of sources; This means obtaining facts such as records of day today transactions either by observation or research from both external and internal source.
- Sufficient organization of data” Accessing and storing data in database; A database is an organized collection of data for instruction. An ordinary handwritten address is example of a simple manually datable.
- Data procession into information upon which to be used by management. Data is stored analyzed, compared, calculated and generally, worked onto producing messages in the form required by the managers, which form required by the manager, which is then termed information.
- Presenting data in a meaningful and useful form. This could be means of various kinds of reports including statistical reports such as sales analysis and control information such as variance reports.
However, owning to the fact that organization has grown in size, the information flow has become so voluminous that face to face communication and even writer memoranda can no longer effect adequate communication or effective processing of data. The management information system of these organization have in recent times found it difficult to meet with the increasing demand being made on it for information as a result, the manual means of operation is jam-packed with scores of data to be processed. Hence delay and inaccuracies in data collection and analysis. Also there is problem of misappropriation of important document of files or even cases of Stolen Files.
These lapses amongst others parts a question mark on the manually assisted management information system hence solution have been sought in the introduction of mechanization with particular reference to the use of computer.
1.2 Statement of Problems
In recent years, technology change have been introduced by many organizations. One of such is the advent of computers and it is being adopted by managers in many organization to help increase efficiency and output, to provide greater consumer and consumer satisfaction and to improve the management information system by manipulation, processing and distribution of data and other problem that in previous IMS were attended with difficultly.
Investigation has shown that before the introduction of computers in the management information system (MIS) in the department of NITEL Plc Enugu the manually operated management information system in vogue then indicated lapses, which often beat the imagination on matters, consequently, the processes of decision making was almost reduced to grass root due to the essence of the effective and enduring information effective and enduring information storage and retrieval system. This affected the general productivity of NITEL Plc Enugu.
However with the computerization of the management information system (MIS) in Nitel, not only was the problem of competence in decision making eradicated but also information storage and retrieval system become effectively and efficiently fit. But has NITEL Plc been fairly and well improved with the computerization of its management information system.
The researcher seeks to know the impact of computerization of the management information in Nitel on profitability level of the organization.
1.3 Objective of the Study
The objectives of this study are as follows:
- To determine whether there is improvement in MIS in Nitel Plc since it has been computerized.
- To expose those areas in which management of computerized firm has failed to take advantage.
- To uphold or day some presumption that have existed around the computer, that is to know if computer displace people form their job.
- To know how the introduction of computer has solved the latent problem of the manual system.
- To know the extent of fraudulent practice in Nitel Plc.
1.4 Scope of Study
This study is confined to the management information system in NITEL Plc Enugu, with a particular reference to the designated are a of management information system which controls customers billing system. The adoption of the billing system will help in providing the relationship between the billing system and the profitability level.
1.5 Significance of the Study
The satisfactory operation and control of an organization rests to a great extend on information or data. Data processing for business is not an end itself but it is used by the management to assist in achieving it's objectives which is providing good and services, making profits, dealing fairly with employees, customers, suppliers and satisfying legal requirement regarding the keeping of records. This could enhanced by the introduction of the computer in management information system.
This project will highlight the importance of computer on the management information system and heighten the emphasis by companies the computerized system of operation to the manual. Where as this work appears to be more beneficial to those in the management cadre. It is hoped that person with septennial knowledge of management will find it valuable.
1.6 Research Questions
- Has the computerization of the MIS in Nitel Plc Enugu actually improved?
- Are customers effectively and satisfactorily served better now with the computerization of Nitel?
- Has computer in any way displace people form their job?
- Before now, how is their profitability level and at present any improvement?
- Has fraud been mitigated in Nitel Plc
…
