To do their jobs well, professionals in the information systems space — such as chief information officers, human resources information systems managers, system/data analysts and directors of information technology — must have access to the top commercial software for information systems.
There are quite a few tools and technologies at their disposal, and understanding each tool’s capabilities and purposes is critical for applying technology-based solutions to business needs.
What Is SAP?
Initially called System Analysis Program Development, software company SAP is generally acknowledged as the global leader in enterprise information systems. It partners with universities worldwide to prepare students for careers that demand innovative technology, data management and business process skills.
As a member of the SAP University Alliance, Lamar University provides a unique and intensive hands-on educational experience through its online Master of Science (M.S.) in Management Information Systems online program.
Lamar University’s SAP-enabled program equips graduates with insights and expertise that enrich their marketability and earning potential. It also prepares them for the SAP TS410 – Integrated Business Processes in SAP S/4HANA certification, a significant professional enhancement that can open doors to new possibilities in the widely used SAP ecosystem.
An SAP recognition holds high value. SAP has more than 440,000 customers and 21,000 SAP partner companies in over 180 countries, according to Dice. “SAP certifications can help you land a job…and give you leverage for negotiating higher compensation once you’re in a role.”
SAP’s market penetration is growing, according to Gartner, which predicts 40% of global service-sector businesses — health care, financial services and education, for instance — will use its S/4HANA enterprise resource planning (ERP) platform by 2026.
The platform integrates core financial management, procurement, human resources, planning and analysis in a single ERP suite, which ranks at the top of its Magic Quadrant for Cloud ERP for Service-Centric Enterprises.
Moreover, Forester gives the system five-out-of-five star evaluations for key manufacturing and distribution functions such as inventory and warehouse management and supply chain optimization. It notes that a major strength of the SAP information system is the provider’s “product vision and execution roadmap as they’ve laid out a very clear, modern vision for helping customers get to the ‘intelligent enterprise.'” This makes SAP a dominant market presence among enterprises with at least $500 million in annual revenue.
Why Is an M.S. in Management Information Systems Valuable?
While the curriculum focuses on SAP systems, students gain knowledge and understanding that is readily transferable to developing, deploying and managing other widely adopted information systems such as:
- Oracle is a tool whose customers give top-ranked ratings for its ease of integration, breadth of product features, reporting capabilities and low maintenance costs and effort.
- Primavera P6 is an Oracle product designed for the construction and engineering industries and supports project scheduling prioritization, planning, management and execution.
- Tableau delivers integrated enterprise data management, storage and analytics solutions that enable business leaders to make decisions faster and with greater degrees of certainty.
- Microsoft Access enables users to create custom, scalable databases, business applications and templates that can be shared across the business.
- SAS Visual Analytics serves as an integrated, single-platform data reporting tool that aids in exploration and visualization functionality so decision-makers can spot trends and important relationships quickly and accurately.
What Career Paths Can M.S. in Management Information Systems Graduates Pursue?
Lamar University’s online M.S. in Management Information Systems program curriculum engages students in topics ranging from ERP overview, e-commerce applications and business intelligence to supply chain and customer relationship management, data analytics, data mining and information assurance and security.
The concentration prepares graduates for leadership roles, including:
- Chief information officer (CIO): The CIO sets enterprise policies and strategies that maximize the value-add of information systems.
- Human resources information systems (HRIS) manager: These professionals oversee integrated record-keeping, compliance and self-service components, as well as recruiting, hiring, training and retaining operations.
- ERP/SAP consultant: By collaborating with organizations’ leadership, ERP consultants and SAP consultants create strategies for deploying and managing systems that integrate accounting, procurement, supply chain and other essential business process data.
- Data analyst: Identifying, collecting, cleaning, interpreting and reporting data results enables data analyst leaders to understand what has happened and why and predict what may happen.
- Director of information technology (IT): Operating at the executive level, the IT director analyzes the digital asset requirements and sets policies that optimize the use of those assets.
Lamar University’s program introduces and develops student proficiency in specific information systems software thanks to courses such as Enterprise Systems/CRM, Business intelligence, Data Mining and Predictive Analytics, Database Management Systems and IT Project Management.
As a member of the SAP University Alliance, Lamar University provides students with unique opportunities to explore sophisticated concepts and operating systems, future-proof their careers and gain crucial advantages in the competition for jobs and advancement.
Learn more about Lamar University’s online M.S. in Management Information Systems program.
