EASYWAY FOOD SERVICES LIMITED.

MIS has several subsets such as Decision Support Systems and Executive Information Systems. The role of MIS in decision support is best discussed in the context of the subset referred to as Decision Support System (DSS). A DSS is a computer based system (an application program) capable of analyzing an organizational (or business) data and then presents it in a way that helps the user to make business decisions more efficiently and effectively. It is basically an informational application which depends on the information already input while answering to a given query. For example, a decision support system could provide: Comparative sales figures for one week/month and the next Projected revenue figures based on new product sales assumptions Consequences of different decision alternatives, given past experience Usually the DSS is used by all levels of people within a business organization. Top level management uses DSS for strategic decisions, middle management uses for tactical decision while first line supervisors use deploy it for day-to-day operational decisions. Therefore, the process of decision-making in any business is an inherently vital aspect not just for organizations but also for individuals who greatly rely on these decisions for their survival in the highly competitive arena of entrepreneurship (Al-Zhrani, 2010, p.1249-1251). It is vital to note that systems vary from organizations to organizations. A set of elements joined together for a common objective is a system, Rhodes, j. (2010). In the case of the system operated by Easy Food Services, the system is able to provide up-to-the minute information on the food items ordered and breaks out percentages showing sales of each item versus total sales; it is also able to compare total weekly sales against food cost, it keeps records of reasons for all voided orders. Practically the system is good and effective; it could help in the area of strategic planning, managerial Control and Operational control. Use of MIS and E-Commerce in Strategic Planning Strategic information systems planning, or SISP, is based on two core arguments. The first is that, at a minimum, a firms information systems investments should be aligned with the overall business strategy and in some cases may even become an emerging source of competitive advantage. The second core argument behind SISP is that companies can best achieve IS-based alignment or competitive advantage by following a proactive, formal and comprehensive process that includes the development of broad organizational information requirements. This is in contrast to a reactive strategy, in which the IS group sits back and responds to other areas of the business only when a need arises. According to Seegars, Grover and Teng (1998), an excellent SISP should be comprehensive, formalised, focused, have a top-down flow, broad participation, and be highly consistent.

Considering Easyway Food Services Limited, it is realized that the system will help top management to strategically forecast sales over some period ahead of time based on previous records of sales. Top Management will be able to draw a good budget based on the expected revenues (sales) as against cost. Records from the system will serve as a guide and help top management to decide which types of food to produce the more and which ones should be stopped or reduced. In addition, records on why a customer voids an order could help top management to strategically refine and produce to suit customers. Use of MIS and E-Commerce in Managerial Control For Easyway Food Services Ltd, management is able to control cost of doing business using information from the system. Again, since the system keeps up-to-the-minute information on the food items ordered and breaks out percentages showing sales of each item versus total sales, it will help management to plan menus according to customers tastes and preferences.

Reference: 1. obrien, j (1999). management information systems managing information technology in the internetworked enterprise. boston: irwin mcgraw-hill. isbn 0-07-112373-3. 2. laudon, kenneth c.; laudon, jane p. (2009). management information systems: managing the digital firm (11 ed.). prentice hall/coursesmart. p. 164. 3. transaction processing systems (tps) collect and record the routine transactions of an organization. examples of such systems are sales order entry, hotel reservations, payroll, employee record keeping, and shipping.

4. laudon, k.,&laudon, j. (2010). management information systems: managing the digital firm. (11th ed.). upper saddle river, nj: pearson prentice hall. 5. segars, a.h., grover, v., and teng, j.t.c. (1998), strategic information systems planning: planning system dimensions, internal coalignment, and implications for planning effectiveness, decision sciences, vol. 29 no 2, pp. 303-345. 6. allen, b., heurtebise, a., & turnbull, j. (2010). improving information access. business management us. retrieved october 2, 2010 from http://www.busmanagement.com/article/improving-information-access/ 7. al-zhrani, s. (2010). management information systems role in decision-making during crises: case study. journal of computer science, 6(11), 1247-1251.

8. lingham, l. (2006). managing a business/ management information system. all experts. retrieved october 2, 2010 from http://en.allexperts.com/q/managing-business1088/management-information-system.htm 9. rhodes, j. (2010). the role of management information systems in decision making. ehow.retrieved october 2, 2010 from http://www.ehow.com/facts_7147006_roleinformationsystems-decision-making.html 10. the maniac. (n.d.). management information system: the center of management decision making. helium. retrieved october 2, 2010 from http://www.helium.com/items/242575-