Integrating Islands of Automation

• Published in: MIS quarterly 1989-12, Vol.13 (4), p.433-445
• Main Authors: Hale, David P., Haseman, William D., Groom, Frank
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Automatic control; Case studies; Computer menus; Computer software; Decision support systems; End users; Executives; Implementations; Information systems; Mainframe computers; Management information systems; Marketing; Personal computers; Private transportation; SIM Competition - Selected Papers; Systems design; Systems integration; Telephone companies
• ISSN: 0276-7783; 2162-9730
• DOI: 10.2307/248729

This article describes the design, implementation, and post-implementation evaluation of the corporate data transport system used at Wisconsin Bell, Inc. to aid distributed, inter-department decision making. Elements of the system's architecture include a user-friendly executive support system, enhanced professional/managerial workstation environments, and a common presentation system that integrates multiple heterogeneous systems, thus creating "virtual homogeneity" of information presentation throughout the organization. The system has been developed to connect geographically dispersed executives and professionals from different functional areas, regardless of hardware, software, and data configurations. The intent of the system is to allow its users to share information and work together as a single operating entity and integrated planning unit. Key success factors leading to the system's use over a three- year period are explored, along with unanticipated limiting factors.