It is important to distinguish the types of technology associated with an organization. One important distinction is between Management Information Systems (MIS), Production Technologies, and Technology as Products. According to Beal (2017),

Management information system, or MIS, broadly refers to a computer-based system that provides managers with the tools to organize evaluate and efficiently manage departments within an organization. In order to provide past, present and prediction information, a management information system can include software that helps in decision making, data resources such as databases, the hardware resources of a system, decision support systems, people management and project management applications, and any computerized processes that enable the department to run efficiently

In short, this is technology that supports and assists in the operation of the organization.

Production Technologies are used in the

Scheduling the manufacture of products and managing stock inventory that aims to optimize costs, minimize inventory and maintain a steady work flow. The modern production technology that might be used by a manufacturing business can identify production blockages and sense capacity constraints, and it does not usually operate at full capacity if sufficient inventory to meet demand already exists

Technology as Products refers to:

• The technology embedded in your product

• Hardware or software that is produced and sold as a product

• Technology that supports the product services

• The technology that allows your product to exist

Why do leaders need to understand these technology classifications?

How does each relate to the operation of the organization?

Who is the user of each?