【正文】 hs? It also allows users to deal with contingencies: If Inflation increases by 5% (instead of 2% as we are assuming), then what do we do? What do we do if we are faced with a strike or a new petitive threat?The most basic and most versatile business decision making tool is the spreadsheet, but spreadsheets are not user friendly. More sophisticated programs often seamlessly incorporate statistical decision making tools like sensitivity analysis, Monte Carlo analysis, risk analysis, break even analysis and Bayesian analysis. If, for example, you are using the information system to decide about a new product introduction, the program should incorporate tools like logit analysis, . Analysis,conjoint analysis, contribution margin analysis, multi dimensional scaling, . Multi Factoral analysis, factor analysis, cluster analysis, discriminant analysis, Quality Function Deployment, preference regressions, and preferencerank translations.The strategic support roleInformation systems can support a pany’s petitive positioning. One distinguishes here four levels of analysis.1 The supports of help in the piloting of the chain of internal value. They are the most recent, the most pragmatic and are within the reach of the manager. They are the solutions of reductions of costs and management of the performance. One indicates them under the name of Business Workflow Analysis ( BWA) or of Business Management Systems p2p . Tools networks, they assure the control of the piloting of the set of the functions of the pany, the mastery in real time of the costs of dysfunctions cause distances from accounts, evaluation and reporting of accounting results articulated in the evaluation and in the reporting of results quality.2 All successful panies have one (or two) business functions that they do better than the petition. These are called core petencies. If a pany’s core petency gives it a long term advantage in the marketplace, it is referred to as a sustainable petitive advantage. For a core petency to bee a sustainable petitive advantage it must be difficult to mimic, unique, sustainable, superior to the petition, and applicable to multiple situations. Examples of pany characteristics that could constitute a sustainable petitive advantage include: superior product quality, extensive distribution contracts, accumulated brand equity and positive pany reputation, low cost production techniques, patents and copyrights, government protected monopoly, and superior employees and management team. The list of potential sustainable petitive advantage characteristics is very long. However there are some mentators that claim that in a fast changing petitive world, none of these advantages can be sustained in the long run. They claim that the only truly sustainable petitive advantage is to build an organization that is so alert and so agile that it will always be able to find an advantage, no matter what changes occur.3 Information systems often support and occasionally constitute these petitive advantages. The rapid speed of change has made access to timely and current information critical in a petitive environment. Information systems, like business environmental scanning systems, support almost all sustainable petitive advantages. Occasionally, the information system itself is the petitive advantage. One example is WalMart. They used an extranet to integrate their whole supply chain. This use of information systems gave Sam Walton a petitive advantage for two decades. Another example is Dell Computer. They used the internet to market custom assembled PC’s. Michael Dell is still benefitting from this low cost promotion and distribution technique. Other examples are eBay, , Federal Express, and Business Workflow Analysis Oberonbwa.The performance monitoring roleMIS is not just statistics and data analysis. It is a tool needed for MBO / Management by monitors results and performances in order to send alerts, in some cases dayly, to managers at each level of the organisation, on all deviations between results and prestablished objectives and budgets.MIS as a barrier to entryAn important strategic advantage is barriers to entry. There are numerous ways that a pany, that has invested in information technology, can lever this investment to create, grow, or maintain barriers to entry.1) Leverage IT investment that supports their core petency. Successful firms tend to have one or two core petencies that they can do better than their petitors. It may be anything from new product development to customer service. Information technology is often an important input into this core petency. This IT investment in a pany’s core petency can be a significant barrier to entry.2) Leverage IT investment in supply chain networks. Firms that are a part of an integrated supply chain system have established relationships of trust with suppliers. This usually ensures quicker deliver times, problem free delivery and an assured supply. It can also entail price discounts and other preferential treatment. The inability of new entrants to get onto a supply chain/inventory management system can be a major barrier to entry.3) Leverage IT investment in distribution channel management. As with supplier networks, investment in distribution channel management systems can ensure quicker delivery times, problem free delivery, and preferential treatments. The investment in this technology, and the experience gained in learning how to use it, can be an important barrier to entry. When the distribution channel management systems is exclusive, it may give you some control over access to the retailers involved.4) Leverage IT investment in brand equity. Often firms have invested large sums of money in brand advertising. This is facilitated by investment in marketing information systems and customer relationship management system. An indomitable brand name is a formidable barrier to entry.5) Leverage IT investment in production pro