In this paper, the term Enterprise Information System
(EIS) is used to denote the total portfolio of
interconnected computer-based systems that assists an
organization in executing its business plans and
realizing its business goals.
The terms Information Technology (IT) systems, and
Information Systems (IS), are used interchangeably to
denote the individual computer-based systems in the
EIS. Sometimes these are also referred to as
components in the EIS. Typical components in EIS:s
for power utilities include: SCADAiEMS/DMS/BMS
systems, asset management and maintenance systems,
GIS systems, customer relationship management
systems, billing systems, traditional groupware and/or
intranet solutions. The terms integrated business
platform, and integrated business system, are used to
denote a group of closely integrated components
provided by one supplier.
The terms strategic IT management, and strategic IT/IS
management, are used to denote IT related activities
carried out on the levels above, the individual IT
projects. The relationship between strategic IT/IS
management, and IT project management is further
elaborated on in the section “Strategic IT/IS
management versus IT project management”.