MIS in the UK

Question

MIS in the UK

skenzie

SSC Journeyman

Points: 76
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August 24, 2008 at 3:40 am

#92469

HI,
I've been thinking of applying for a job that involves looking after a Management Information System, i.e. mainly showing people how to use it and querying it to provide management with the info they need for various purposes. I'm quite familiar with Access databases and SQL queries, but not sure whether that's enough. (no paper qualifacations) Does anyone know what kind of database is likely to be behind an MIS in the UK?
Would brushing up my SQL skills be enough? Or would I have to know a lot more technical stuff about database admin such as backing up, repairing, etc?
The job description is a bit vague, e.g. it does ask for DBA skills but then says knowing SQL is "optional, but would be preferred"! which sounds like they're not sure what they're looking for either.
Any help appreciated.
Susan

Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 16 total)

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Jeff Moden SSC Guru Points: 1004302 More actions · Answer 1

It sounds like they don't really know databases at all because they don't really understand that SQL is not SQL and that taking care of the servers for different RDBMS's is totally different. In the face of a vague job description and sketchy knowledge requirements, do what I do...

... ask them! 🙂

--Jeff Moden

RBAR is pronounced "ree-bar" and is a "Modenism" for Row-By-Agonizing-Row.
First step towards the paradigm shift of writing Set Based code:
________Stop thinking about what you want to do to a ROW... think, instead, of what you want to do to a COLUMN.

Change is inevitable... Change for the better is not.

Helpful Links:
How to post code problems
How to Post Performance Problems
Create a Tally Function (fnTally)

Steve Jones - SSC Editor SSC Guru Points: 736118 More actions · Answer 2

I'd do what Jeff suggests, ask them. No way to know otherwise.

skenzie SSC Journeyman Points: 76 More actions · Answer 3

Yes, that's probably the only way.

But if they're as hapless as they sound, they probably won't be able to say, and in any case, do I really want to foist my haplessness on them??:D

I reckon the best idea is to actually get some qualifications for my skills first. Which is fine, but being 50 and female makes me wonder whether I would be wasting my time and money.

On the other hand, the thought of doing the boring admin job I'm in for another 15 years doesn't bear thinking about....:w00t:

Susan

Jeff Moden SSC Guru Points: 1004302 More actions · Answer 4

Heh... stop and look at it this way... you didn't get that old being stupid and employers who want some real talent in their ranks are beginning to realize that us old folks can really get things done when we put our minds to it.

I'd go for it! 🙂

--Jeff Moden

RBAR is pronounced "ree-bar" and is a "Modenism" for Row-By-Agonizing-Row.
First step towards the paradigm shift of writing Set Based code:
________Stop thinking about what you want to do to a ROW... think, instead, of what you want to do to a COLUMN.

Change is inevitable... Change for the better is not.

Helpful Links:
How to post code problems
How to Post Performance Problems
Create a Tally Function (fnTally)

RBarryYoung SSC Guru Points: 143329 More actions · Answer 5

skenzie (8/24/2008)
HI,
I've been thinking of applying for a job that involves looking after a Management Information System, i.e. mainly showing people how to use it and querying it to provide management with the info they need for various purposes. I'm quite familiar with Access databases and SQL queries, but not sure whether that's enough. (no paper qualifacations) Does anyone know what kind of database is likely to be behind an MIS in the UK?

The terminology is suspect here also. What you are describing is an EIS (Executive Information System) and NOT "an MIS". These are sometimes called DSS (Decision Support Systems) and they are basically some kind of dimensional modeling and reporting. So that could be anything from a bunch of Excel pivot tables all the way up to a massive Hyperion Data Warehouse back-end with specialized analytical and reporting client software like say SAS on the front-end.

MIS is an older term that basically means the same thing as IS/IT. That is, just Information systems in general.

[font="Times New Roman"]-- RBarryYoung[/font], [font="Times New Roman"] (302)375-0451[/font] blog: MovingSQL.com, Twitter: @RBarryYoung [font="Arial Black"]
Proactive Performance Solutions, Inc. [/font][font="Verdana"] "Performance is our middle name."[/font]

skenzie SSC Journeyman Points: 76 More actions · Answer 6

That's very helpful, thanks. The software has been developed over the past two years and it's for a student/course/tutor sort of database for a charity that provides free education courses for the underpriveleged, so it's unlikely to be on a massive scale.

And thanks Jeff for spurring me on, even at my age....heh heh. I'm going to apply for the job but making it clear I have no actual qualifications but plenty of enthusiasm. If that doesn't get them, then fine, because I'm also going to sign up for that A+ course as an entry qualification for bigger and better things. Jobs will come.

Susan

Jeff Moden SSC Guru Points: 1004302 More actions · Answer 7

skenzie (8/25/2008)
And thanks Jeff for spurring me on, even at my age....heh heh. I'm going to apply for the job but making it clear I have no actual qualifications but plenty of enthusiasm. If that doesn't get them, then fine, because I'm also going to sign up for that A+ course as an entry qualification for bigger and better things. Jobs will come.

Heh... I have to spur you on... I'm older than you are. 😛 You have the right cut... you'll do very well.

--Jeff Moden

RBAR is pronounced "ree-bar" and is a "Modenism" for Row-By-Agonizing-Row.
First step towards the paradigm shift of writing Set Based code:
________Stop thinking about what you want to do to a ROW... think, instead, of what you want to do to a COLUMN.

Change is inevitable... Change for the better is not.

Helpful Links:
How to post code problems
How to Post Performance Problems
Create a Tally Function (fnTally)

Lynn Pettis SSC Guru Points: 442467 More actions · Answer 8

Jeff Moden (8/25/2008)
skenzie (8/25/2008)
And thanks Jeff for spurring me on, even at my age....heh heh. I'm going to apply for the job but making it clear I have no actual qualifications but plenty of enthusiasm. If that doesn't get them, then fine, because I'm also going to sign up for that A+ course as an entry qualification for bigger and better things. Jobs will come.
Heh... I have to spur you on... I'm older than you are. 😛 You have the right cut... you'll do very well.

Jeff, I don't think I'm much further behind you, even though I haven't hit the big 50...yet.

😎

developer6 Right there with Babe Points: 717 More actions · Answer 9

Jeff: I can only assume that you are not resident in the UK. If being stupid was in any way a prevention for getting old the population here would be considerably smaller than it is currently (roughly 60 million)! 🙂

Jeff Moden SSC Guru Points: 1004302 More actions · Answer 10

developer6 (8/26/2008)
Jeff: I can only assume that you are not resident in the UK. If being stupid was in any way a prevention for getting old the population here would be considerably smaller than it is currently (roughly 60 million)! 🙂

bwaahaa! Now, THAT's funny! 😀

--Jeff Moden

RBAR is pronounced "ree-bar" and is a "Modenism" for Row-By-Agonizing-Row.
First step towards the paradigm shift of writing Set Based code:
________Stop thinking about what you want to do to a ROW... think, instead, of what you want to do to a COLUMN.

Change is inevitable... Change for the better is not.

Helpful Links:
How to post code problems
How to Post Performance Problems
Create a Tally Function (fnTally)

RBarryYoung SSC Guru Points: 143329 More actions · Answer 11

developer6 (8/26/2008)
Jeff: I can only assume that you are not resident in the UK. If being stupid was in any way a prevention for getting old the population here would be considerably smaller than it is currently (roughly 60 million)! 🙂

Actually, it's pretty much that way everywhere. In fact, that's pretty much the operational definition of civilization: You don't have to die just because you're stupid.

[font="Times New Roman"]-- RBarryYoung[/font], [font="Times New Roman"] (302)375-0451[/font] blog: MovingSQL.com, Twitter: @RBarryYoung [font="Arial Black"]
Proactive Performance Solutions, Inc. [/font][font="Verdana"] "Performance is our middle name."[/font]

Steve Jones - SSC Editor SSC Guru Points: 736118 More actions · Answer 12

Steve Jones - SSC Editor

SSC Guru

Points: 736118

August 27, 2008 at 10:00 am

#863835

Being stupid can help: http://www.darwinawards.com/

RBarryYoung SSC Guru Points: 143329 More actions · Answer 13

rbarryyoung (8/26/2008)
developer6 (8/26/2008)
Jeff: I can only assume that you are not resident in the UK. If being stupid was in any way a prevention for getting old the population here would be considerably smaller than it is currently (roughly 60 million)! 🙂
Actually, it's pretty much that way everywhere. In fact, that's pretty much the operational definition of civilization: You don't have to die just because you're stupid.

I should amend that Civilization is when people don't have to die just because they are weak, slow or stupid. (All things that would get you killed otherwise).

[font="Times New Roman"]-- RBarryYoung[/font], [font="Times New Roman"] (302)375-0451[/font] blog: MovingSQL.com, Twitter: @RBarryYoung [font="Arial Black"]
Proactive Performance Solutions, Inc. [/font][font="Verdana"] "Performance is our middle name."[/font]

developer6 Right there with Babe Points: 717 More actions · Answer 14

developer6

Right there with Babe

Points: 717

August 28, 2008 at 3:33 am

#864209

So there is hope for all of us!