Working with a simple yet effective information system is mostly a sophisticated procedure as well as tedious job for managers. Therefore a manager should be aware that the business' information management needs will vary eventually and particular steps or procedures may need to be taken or repeated in future. Managers should be aware of several ways by which information technology can impact other companies and how the system can work. They should also be aware of the fact that these effects can be equally negative or positive. It all depends on the manager's competency.

The concept basically revolves around a thorough scrutiny of information systems in business to ensure that they are up and running. This involves the acquisition of proper peripherals and software so that they can be used in the appropriate areas. They are then assembled and maintained using the latest updates to ensure that all the set goals are met at the right time. In simple terms, the major role it plays is to ensure that a business operates within a secure, reliable and easy to maintain IT atmosphere. It also encompasses hosting services and managed services in addition to monitoring information systems services.

The moment the organization makes decisions to develop and install information system, a task force within or outside the organization is necessary to supervise and monitor the project.

The configuration manager also makes sure to uphold the four tasks used to define the sound implementation of the changes within the system. The first of which is configuration identification, which makes out all the traits that define each facet of a configuration point such as the hardware or software having an end-user intention.

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.

Then there is configuration control, which is the list of methods and approval stages that are needed to modify a configuration point's traits and reinitiate them. Configuration status accounting is the facility needed to document and deal with the configuration baselines correlated to each point at any time period. The last task is Configuration audits, which has two aspects: functional audits and physical audits. The former deals with the functional and performance attributes of the configuration point. On the other hand the latter makes certain that the configuration point is established according to what is required by the detailed design records.


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.