THE PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR SMALL TOWN (TOWNMIS)——A CASE STUDY AT XIAOLAN TOWN, SOUTH CHINA

Now, GISs are popular at most major cities along the coast in China. The lack of available digital geographic data is a serious bottleneck problem. This article first analyses the development characteristics of urban planning and management information system in China, and proposes a method for establishing a planning and management information system for small town. By using GIS as core and integrating with microcomputer network, office automation (OA), computer aided design (CAD), and multimedia technology, a microcomputer information system (TownMIS) is implemented after 3 year design and development. It may be a first comprehensive system for the planning and management of small towns. Since the January of 1996, TownMIS has been actually used in Xiaolan Town, a coastal rich town in South China. This has provided perfect technical, managerial, operational and institutional references for resolving the contradiction of the fast growing installation of GIS sites and fewer actually running system.

Rationality of escalating commitment in information systems project management： An inter-disciplinary perspective

Escalation of commitment has been linked to losses in information systems （IS） projects. Understanding the nature and the rationality of escalation allows the firm to promote optimal project management practices. This study takes an inter-disciplinary approach and draws on research from economics and management to create a model of irrational escalation and a model of rational escalation. The forces that contribute to irrational escalation include the responsibility of the same manager for both the project selection and project continuation decisions that create proneness to self-justification, the potential for negative framing of decision options due to large sunk costs, the proximity of project completion and the presence of organizational inertia. Identifying these irrational escalation factors helps design appropriate de-escalation techniques. The rational escalation model draws on the real option theory and the bandit process theory to identify conditions when project continuation is justified by the value of information and the value of flexibility that the firm receives from continuing the project.

A GIS-based Power Transmission Management Information System

Based on analyzing the shortcomings of electric power enterprise in traditional operation pattern,this paper combines components GIS with the application of management information system,and uses the structure which unifies three layers C/S and B/S.Also,proposed using the GPS intellectualization patrol.This may be useful to guarantees the transmission line’s operation to be safe and stable.

Intelligent Multi-Agent Based Information Management Methods to Direct Complex Industrial Systems

In recent years, the increasingly complexity of the logistic and technical aspects of the novel manufacturing environments, as well as the need to increase the performance and safety characteristics of the related cooperation, coordi-nation and control mechanisms is encouraging the development of new information management strategies to direct and man- age the automated systems involved in the manufacturing processes. The Computational Intelligent (CI) approaches seem to provide an effective support to the challenges posed by the next generation industrial systems. In particular, the Intelligent Agents (IAs) and the Multi-Agent Systems (MASs) paradigms seem to provide the best suitable solutions. Autonomy, flexibility and adaptability of the agent-based technology are the key points to manage both automated and information processes of any industrial system. The paper describes the main features of the IAs and MASs and how their technology can be adapted to support the current and next generation advanced industrial systems. Moreover, a study of how a MAS is utilized within a productive process is depicted.

Airport Information Systems—Airside Management Information Systems

Research on the intersection of the areas of aviation and management of information systems is scarce. Airports, more than ever before need to align their information systems to gain a competitive advantage and become more efficient in their operations. A proper classification is a prerequisite to systems alignment. The purpose of this paper is to provide descriptions of some of the airport management information systems, connections to or interoperability with other systems, and the key uses and users of each system. There are many types of management information systems and they can be organized or classified in a number of different ways. Furthermore, each system may or may not be necessary for a particular airport depending on the business goals and objectives and the certificate which the airport is operating under. Consequently, the system classification schema presented in this paper is neither all-inclusive nor exclusive;however, a number of leading aviation practitioners, business professionals, and educators in the industry were instrumental in both proposing and validating the schema. The study used interviews, documentation, and observation as the primary sources of data.

Research and Application of Management Information Systems

Management Information System provides an effective way for enterprises to improve their competitive abilities. It presents a framework for improving the management models through the design and implementation of effective and high-quality MIS. So it is very important to the modem management of corporations. ERP （Enterprise Resource Planning） system is one of the core parts of MIS, which solves the matter of management model mainly. ERP is a popular method enabling the business processes required to compete with the globalization. The thesis cites SAP R/3 to introduce the general structure and function of ERP. Global Enterprise Resource Planning Implementation is increasingly becoming the successful choice of MIS.

Airport Information Systems—Landside Management Information Systems

Research on the intersection of the areas of aviation and management information systems is sparse. Just as within other economic sectors, members of the aviation sector must incorporate new and existing technologies as they grow to maintain their competitive edge whether in aircraft systems, airports or other aerospace and aviation related industries. A proper classification is a prerequisite to systems alignment. This paper reviews landside airport information management systems, and their connections and interoperability with other systems and who the key airport users are. The information presented in this paper is based on interviews and data collection at a number of representative airports across the United States. Airport size and function are key considerations in the acquisition of information management system airside or land side. The implication is that not all airports are equipped in the same manner and therefore these systems can only be considered as representative of what exists “on the ground”. This paper represents a point of departure or a reference for those researchers interested in a more indepth study of airport information systems on the landside.

Contribution of Geographic Information Systems for the Management of Water Resources： Case of Groundwater Resources of the Plain of Mascara （Algeria）

The plain of Mascara includes groundwater resources, heavily exploited for the needs of the population, industry and agriculture. However, this resource is under threat from the point of view of quality and quantity. The degradation of water quality comes from water discharges untreated （domestic and/or industrial） and from the irrational use of fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture. The decrease in reserves is due to the effects of intensive exploitation. Several studies on the water resources of the plain generated a mass of very important data. In most cases, these data are disparate at different institutions managers （water resources, environment, etc.）, and are found recorded in paper documents, difficult to exploit. For this reason, it would be essential to use reliable new techniques, namely the GIS （geographic information systems）. The implementation of the GIS of the plain of Mascara （with extension to all the sub-basin of Wadi Fekan） must permit to organize the data and transform it into information. Integration, crossing and superposition of the data with other variables may contribute to spatial analysis and generate very important thematic maps. The GIS constitutes a very effective decision aid tool for the management, exploitation, preservation and protection of water resources. The exploitation possibilities of GIS are multiple, direct or indirect. We give an example as the coupling with a groundwater flow model that may be the subject of additional work.

Developing a Geological Management Information System: National Important Mining Zone Database

Geo-data is a foundation for the prediction and assessment of ore resources, so managing and making full use of those data, including geography database, geology database, mineral deposits database, aeromagnetics database, gravity database, geochemistry database and remote sensing database, is very significant. We developed national important mining zone database （NIMZDB） to manage 14 national important mining zone databases to support a new round prediction of ore deposit. We found that attention should be paid to the following issues： ① data accuracy： integrity, logic consistency, attribute, spatial and time accuracy; ② management of both attribute and spatial data in the same system;③ transforming data between MapGIS and ArcGIS; ④ data sharing and security; ⑤ data searches that can query both attribute and spatial data. Accuracy of input data is guaranteed and the search, analysis and translation of data between MapGIS and ArcGIS has been made convenient via the development of a checking data module and a managing data module based on MapGIS and ArcGIS. Using AreSDE, we based data sharing on a client/server system, and attribute and spatial data are also managed in the same system.

Towards an Efficient Information Systems Development Process and Management: A Review of Challenges and Proposed Strategies

Before Information Systems are developed, they must have undergone a process called Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) using appropriate methodology. The SDLC consists of phases varying from author to author. However, an information systems project can only be successful with intense interaction amongst project manager, systems analyst, system designers and the end users. Viewed from the project manager’s perspective, the SDLC lacks the essence of project management activities. Similarly, end users involvement is not clearly specified. The main aim of this paper is to propose a framework for information systems management and development process which accommodates the views of the different participants. Furthermore, the paper sharpens the concept of conventional SDLC, on the basis of the proposed framework. In addition, tools and methods that are appropriate for the implementation of the framework are herein discussed.

An Information Systems Project Management Course Using a Service-Learning Model

This paper describes the implementation of an Information Systems （IS） capstone project management course that is a requirement for graduating seniors in an undergraduate Computer Information Systems （CIS） program at a regional university. The description provides a model which includes the culmination of students＇ academic training in an IS curriculum which is part of a Bachelor of Business Administration （BBA） program in an accredited college of business. The course requires an application of technical and business skills, as well as systems development and project management skills--while students are working on an actual IS project for an external sponsoring organization. Rationale for implementing this type of course includes the benefits it provides to the students, the project sponsors, and the IS department providing the course. Feedback from the course is used as integral part of the C1S curriculum assessment process used for accreditation purposes.

The Effectiveness of Blackboard System, Uses and Limitations in Information Management

This paper presents a review of the literature on the effectiveness of Blackboard system, its uses and limitations in information management and highlights the ongoing debate of it. A critical evaluation of Blackboard system literature reveals a good number of academic views, studies, theories, models and experiences regarding the virtual learning environment. The extant literature shows that the world of information management is always in flux as it is being impacted on by the learning technology such as blackboard system. Blackboard system now has a recognised presence in the information management of the education system. Now the question is: how effective is this Blackboard system? The article will explore, in part, how blackboard is designed as suitable learning models in terms of learner cognitive engagement and constructivist perspective, resulting in the effective Blackboard system. It will further cover to review the effectiveness of Blackboard as an aid to pedagogy. Finally, the article will also present a comparison between Blackboard and other LMS such as Moodle to explore the effectiveness and limitations of the Blackboard for better academic information management.

Information Network Systems and Information Sharing on Administrative Websites

In Japanese 'e-government' policy, called 'e-Japan', the 'administrative document management system' is functioning as information searching systems. On the other hand, this system has also generated the problem that it is not fully functioning as a means for the information sharing in a governmental agency. So, the purpose of this research is to find how the administrative document management system can function as information sharing in administrative organization. For this purpose, this paper considers the current status and some problems firstly. And secondary, this paper proposes the idea and constructs some information systems using administrative official Website. This is the method and approach of this research. As a conclusion, this proposal information system junctions as information sharing support systems.

Research on Maintenance Information Management System for Distributed Manufacture System

An architecture and design of a maintenance information management system for distributed manufacture system is presented in this paper, and its related key technologies are studied and implemented also. A frame of the maintenance information management system oriented human-machine monitoring is designed, and using object-oriented method, a general maintenance information management system based on SQL server engineering database and adopted client/server/database three-layer mode can be established. Then, discussions on control technologies of maintenance information management system and remote distributed diagnostics and maintenance system are emphasized. The system is not only able to identify and diagnose faults of distributed manufacture system quickly, improve system stability, but also has intelligent maintenance functions.

Design of User Interface for Tractor Cab Real-time Information Management System

In this paper,the user interface of tractor cab real-time information management system was designed. Based on the principle of "user friendly",it reasonably arranged spatial position of information management system according to spatial distribution of tractor cab. Then,it analyzed operation habits and thinking ways of drivers,and formulated design principle meeting demands of drivers. Besides,it used LabView software to design user interface,including interface layout and interface design. User interface includes basic information interface,job information interface,camera monitoring interface,and fault diagnosis interface. Finally,it made evaluation of the user interface from color,indicator lamp,dial,and pointer. Results indicate that the designed user interface layout conforms to cognition mentality and operation habits and easy to get familiar and grasp; graphical interface is vivid and easy to stimulate pleasure of drivers in operation; interface color matching is coordinated; the layout of controls is hierarchical and logic,and operating mode is consistent with Windows system.

THE MANAGEMENT AND RESEARCH OF GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES USING GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEM

Based on the combination of Geographical information system(GIS)with the research ofToponymy,some foundational problems of the Geographical Name Information System(GINS)are discussed in this paper.The present situation of Toponymical research is anal-ysed and the necessity of introducing the GIS tools to the research of Toponymy is demon-strated.The conceptual model of the GNIS and the structure of Geographical name Database(GND)are discussed.The basic functions of the GNIS software for management and re-search of geographical name are suggested.Some issues are stated such as the applicationand potential of the combination of GIS with CAD in the management and research of To-ponymy,the combination of GNIS with other spatial information system and sharing the in-formation with each other,the research and development of GNIS, etc.

Constrction of watershed flood disastermanagement information system and its application to the catastrophic flood of theYangtze River in 1998

This paper introduces a general method of establishing Watershed Flooding Disaster Management Information System (WFDMIS). The functions, database, models, user interface, software and hardware are considered. An application example in Poyang Lake Basin was given.

Construction of Network Management Information System of Agricultural Products Supply Chain Based on 3PLs

The necessity to construct the network management information system of 3PLs agricultural supply chain is analyzed,showing that 3PLs can improve the overall competitive advantage of agricultural supply chain.3PLs changes the homogeneity management into specialized management of logistics service and achieves the alliance of the subjects at different nodes of agricultural products supply chain.Network management information system structure of agricultural products supply chain based on 3PLs is constructed,including the four layers (the network communication layer,the hardware and software environment layer,the database layer,and the application layer) and 7 function modules (centralized control,transportation process management,material and vehicle scheduling,customer relationship,storage management,customer inquiry,and financial management).Framework for the network management information system of agricultural products supply chain based on 3PLs is put forward.The management of 3PLs mainly includes purchasing management,supplier relationship management,planning management,customer relationship management,storage management and distribution management.Thus,a management system of internal and external integrated agricultural enterprises is obtained.The network management information system of agricultural products supply chain based on 3PLs has realized the effective sharing of enterprise information of agricultural products supply chain at different nodes,establishing a long-term partnership revolving around the 3PLs core enterprise,as well as a supply chain with stable relationship based on the supply chain network system,so as to improve the circulation efficiency of agricultural products,and to explore the sales market for agricultural products.

Component-Based Software Developing Method for Group Companies Management Information System

Considering the special requirements of group enterprise information management software, a new method of massive software development was put forward basing on the component technology and facing the ＂assemblage＂. It generalizes five key parts of the method system including the overall strategy, the application project method basing on the operation ＂assemblage＂, the field project method basing on component, the development method facing the component on the basis of the visible component platform, and the software development process model basing on the component ＂assemblage＂. Besides, this paper describes the process and principle of this method application with an example of the construction of a Communications Investment Group enterprise＇s management information system. The method provides a new idea for breaking away from the predicament appeared in the construction of present enterprise informatization and exploring the way of software industrialization.