Information system at Beale and Cole firm

Due to the complexity of the running various operations, firms opt to look for information systems that ensure that all operations are synchronized. A company may choose to have its information systems integrated or disparate depending on the management. In the Integrated information system, there are information sets where grouping is based on similarity of the items. These sets are organized through a well-defined design for gathering and networking the information sets. On the other hand, the disparate information system handles all information distinctively without making any form of data exchange. This isolation of the data makes the disparate system to be classified as an information silo. 

Beale and Cole Company has an integrated information system which enables it to run its construction operations efficiently. Due to the nature of its operations, the company uses an industry-specific software package which is a type of an ERP vendor ( Olugbode et al., 2008 ). Through this integrated system, the company has simplified its transactions with less personnel. Notably, the system supports segregated sets of information with particulars on sections and order list. This makes it easier to establish the materials necessary for the construction of a building as well as the individual rooms contained by the building. Likewise, the system makes it easy to make enquiries on prices of the materials and ensures that the enquiries are sent to the suppliers as well as the clients. Moreover, the system makes all contracts and job details to be accessed easily for effective and timely delivery. The accounting side is massively aided by the system where the balances from debtors are produced effortlessly. Similarly, the company’s engineers buy construction materials over the system hence do not need extra personnel. In the long run, the system aids users in creating their reports and also generates reports on management for analyzing the business from various perspectives ( Olugbode et al., 2008 ). 

Reference 

Olugbode, M., Elbeltagi, I., Simmons, M., & Biss, T. (2008). The Effect of Information Systems on Firm Performance and Profitability Using a Case-Study Approach. Electronic Journal of Information Systems Evaluation, 11(1).