Introduction

A cross-sectional information system is the third most critical function in an organization after calculation and functional systems. Notably, cross-functional systems are created to integrate and coordinate the whole business processes and activities. Therefore the cross-sectional is sometimes called ‘cross’ departmental boundaries. Sometimes the role of director of operations becomes difficult in the sense that I have to coordinate, communicate and change how departments and employee work. Since there exists no clear guideline, it requires understanding and collaborative solutions to problems that may arise related to competition and interdepartmental rivalries.  Generally, management of information in an organization requires strategic measures that depend heavily on technology, business intelligence and synergy between different departments.  Many firms in the modern world apply cross-functional information systems to re-engineer the traditional boundaries for improved business functions and services. Examples of cross-functional systems include;

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is an integrated computerized system used to manage organizational resources including human resources, material, finances, tangible assets, etc. The ERP aims to ensure a smooth flow of information within all business functions and also manage communication with external stakeholders. A central computing system characterizes the ERP with a single computing platform that consolidates business processes into a uniform enterprise spread across the business environment.  Again for purposes of sustaining the management of information systems director of operations requires close coordination and good working relationship with employees in the different departments who relay pieces of information to the system. Furthermore, the employees should undergo some training for the new system, and this requires cooperation. Generally, the cross-functional system distributed across the organization ensures the placement of modules from different vendors according to need.

The use of BI in Business Decision Making

Quality information is critical for rapid decision making in business. As firms shift to business growth, there is required efficient and integral information platform. Developed technology has become a central factor in the transformation and implementation of modern business platforms. Nevertheless, advanced technology can be problematic in a situation when data or information overload and this causes decision makers, and strategists confused with inadequate, inconsistent and irrelevant data. Companies should strive to give strategists with relevant and precise usable data. Most firms have discovered the importance of robust business intelligence and have consequently, deployed it in their systems. Companies that do not have adequate resources in terms of human resource and equipment have found themselves on the receiving end because the process of retrieving the numerous information becomes hectic. Business intelligence enables companies to focus on achieving both theoretical and practical knowledge for decision making. As an operations director in an organization, I would ensure I deploy adequate resources and involve all stakeholders for effective business intelligence.  Business intelligence serves as a tool for competitive advantage.  Big firms have enormous resources which they use extensively for business intelligence in all platforms on the internet.

Management of information systems ensures a cross-departmental collection of data for analysis and rapid decision making. Again strategic planning and implementation of business objectives rely heavily on business intelligence and connectivity between organizational departments.

CRM and competitive advantage

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) refers to a process by which an organization creates a good working relationship with customers. Also, CRM ensures firms forge a real-time system that responses swiftly to customer concerns. Customers are valued, and the information extracted during the interaction potentially helps to boost efficiency and capable of business operations since customers are the owners of the business. Therefore, CRM is a tool for a firm to evaluate its public image from the customer perspective and this helps to improve the system. Director of operations coordinates all functions of different departments and also puts all services together for easy customer access. Management provides resources and necessary conditions to execute the implementation of CRM for sustainability. Again the CRM system gives firm global footprints and international customers, and this enhances sales and income increases for the company.

Furthermore, CRM does not deal with the number of customers a company has put on the effective management of both current and potential clients.  Since there exist organizations entering the market with similar products it compels the already existing organization to go the extra mile to retain its customers through customer relationship management.  Organizations should make calls and keeping contact with customers creates a company both a promoter and communicator.  Many organizations get confused about the content, whom to address and frequency of communicating.  Notably, customer relationship and management becomes difficult when scheming on how to capture the customer’s divided attention. For effective CRM organizations rely on some advertising tools. Advertisements tools should target the right audience and also support and promote the organizational brand. Generally, new technology, globalization, and business intelligence has caused radical changes in customer behaviors.

Social media

Internet and social media have become the leading platform for business competition. Advanced technology has ensured the availability of a variety of online tools on which business are displaying their products and services. Social media has played a vital role in the customer relationship, business plan, and business innovations.  Both big and small businesses have enjoyed the same social media stage because social media does not require enormous resources; therefore, small firms take advantage of this fact. Notably, social media is a potential tool for which business entities utilize to enhance business success. Social media used for the following ways.

Customer relationship:  CRM deploys social media platforms to keep in touch with customers; this promotes business visibility.  The engagement with customers fosters loyalty and goodwill.  Again social media helps respond to customer questions about products and services.

Marketing your business: social media can be used to cut out niche different from competitors from which message is delivered to the public. Business intelligence with new technology potentially propels a company to the higher realms whereby social media designs and displays company information in an attractive manner.  Generally, cross-functional information management creates a synergy for efficient and effective delivery of data from one department to the other.

In conclusion, communication skills are vital for the management of cross-sectional processes as it helps to create collaborative longterm solutions.

Reference

Skyrius, R., Kazakevičienė, G., & Bujauskas, V. (2013). From Management Information Systems to Business Intelligence: The Development of Management Information Needs. International Journal Of Interactive Multimedia And Artificial Intelligence, 2(3), 31. doi: 10.9781/ijimai.2013.234