In general, information support is the collection of information for various purposes. In a dynamic environment, providing the company with information is a very important aspect that helps the company successfully compete in the market.
The structure of providing the enterprise with information consists in its collection, analysis and further application in the management of the organization. Qualitatively collected information from all structural divisions helps the company to work smoothly. In addition, the most complete information support allows the company to most accurately draw up long-term planning and identify the best business strategy.
In order for the flow of information to be as effective as possible, options for its implementation should be considered.
1. Extra-machine information support - hierarchically ordered documents are stored on paper. The document is the basis of the extra-machine information base. They are grouped by date and by the most convenient features for storing information (each company can group data in its own way). This method is convenient, but rather laborious. It is very difficult to change something or to group not according to previously provided signs.
2. Internal machine information support - documents are stored in electronic form. Such an information support device allows you to store and modify information, as well as adjust or create new relationships between documents. But this is possible if the files form a database, and not locally "scattered" on the computer.
Information support of marketing is an integral part of the organization’s marketing policy . It allows you to determine consumer preferences, characterize target markets, and identify weaknesses of competitors.
Accounting for "marketing" information is carried out by compiling schedules, tables, statements. All the collected information is collected together in an integrated system, where it is grouped according to the main characteristics. In electronic form, all this is much easier to do, because the machine does a lot for a person. Therefore, in order to save time and human resources, it is rational to conduct a database of marketing research on a computer.
For convenient perception of information by both a person and a machine, special classifiers for the description of marketing information provision have been created. They are part of the Unified Classification and Coding System.
It is very important to carefully form the incoming information, as possible errors can negate all the difficulties. Due to the fact that progress does not stand still, it is necessary to constantly upgrade the existing automated system in order to optimize information resources and simplify the work as much as possible, as well as reduce the likelihood of making mistakes.
Effective management of the organization is impossible without the use of an information base, and qualified specialists will help in the collection and analysis of data. Thus, the information support of the enterprise will facilitate the adoption of balanced and deliberate decisions on its further functioning.