Strategic Information System (SIS)

(A case study of Hewlett-Packard (HP))

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Institution/Affiliation

1.0 Introduction

Strategic information systems (SIS) can be explained as information systems that are established so that to influence the different initiatives in corporate business; these systems are focused towards enabling an organization to maximize on competitive advantage. Presently, in the company Hewlett-Packard (HP) there has been an increase in the appreciation of information technology (IT) complemented by the significant role of information technology (IT) in the strategic management of an organization. The success of modern information technologies being utilized in the organization management at Hewlett-Packard (HP) is dependent on the progress of information technology (IT) in correlation with the improvement of the strategies used in the organization's system. According to Hoehle and Huff (2012, pp. 134), it is essential to acknowledge that these modern information technologies are referred to as the strategic information systems. Over the past decade, the element of pressure on the influence of technology assets as well as the integration of Information Systems at Hewlett-Packard (HP) has led to the growing need of establishing strategic information systems (SIS) so that to improve on competitive advantage through product differentiation.

Hewlett-Packard (HP) as a structured company utilizes the strategic information systems (SIS) in the production of differentiated products or services that are readily affordable, with the company producing products and services targeting a specific segment in the general market. McLaren et al. (2011, pp. 911) assert that these systems are very crucial in the success and integration of information technology (IT), as they are significant to organizations that run operations through categorization, processing, storage and the exchange of information that is created and received. Hewlett-Packard (HP) utilizes strategic information systems (SIS) in the application and assessments of metrics as well as tools of analysis on their researched information so that to produce differentiated products or services that are, easily affordable. These systems play a vital role in the dispensation of differentiated services or production of customer-based products through the identification of market gaps as a way of establishing and improving efficiency in operation. For that reason, Hewlett-Packard (HP) depends on the strategic information systems as a way of achieving correlation between the organization’s strategic goals complemented by the current and future organizational information concerning technological systems.

2.0 Operations and functionality

            The current marketing mix process at Hewlett-Packard (HP) is characterized the company outsourcing network and resource products, support and development products, maintenance and support for technology, business process and so forth. The company is highly credited for its efficient products and services for example printers and scanner as well as desktops, laptops, digital camera among other products. Through the proper and well-established marketing team, Hewlett-Packard (HP) is known to produce products that are durable thus this has been able to expand the market base enjoyed by the company. However, it is essential to recognize that there are various identifiable gaps in the marketing strategy at the company, for example, competitive pricing. According to Yeung (2016, pp. 85), marketing depends on the pricing of services and products that are differentiated, as such a company needs to set up competitive prices so that to be in line with the expectations of the targeted customers. The marketing mix at Hewlett-Packard (HP) has been faced with the challenge of assessing the overhead costs thus it is quite impossible for the company to determine the costs hence making it unfeasible to come up with competitive prices.

            The integration plan of strategic information systems (SIS) at Hewlett-Packard (HP) will be aimed at ensuring that the company can utilize the various systems so that to establish an efficient use of applications as a way of achieving specific objectives. This represents the most vital concern faced by the administration of various organizations presently. By upgrading the strategic information systems (SIS) at Hewlett-Packard (HP), the company will be able to support its decision-making process and accomplish the daily activities through gaining competitive advantage, developing new business ideas, coming up with new organizational strategies and so on. By attaining the competitive advantage over its competitors, an organization...