Information
Management System (IMS) does not have a standard and widely accepted
definition. However, it is commonly applied to any system of software that is
designed to assist the storage, organization and retrieval of information. The
information includes, but not restricted to, text, numerical information, sound
files, images and videos. Industries like hotel industry, healthcare industries
and call
centers in India use DBMS to manage their customers’ information.
Information Management
System uses data blocks, or segments as the foundation of the hierarchical
model. There are multiple date segments in each model known as fields. At the
top we have Root segments and the specific segments are known as child
segments. The child segment order signifies an order where each entry is
entered in the database.
Information
Management System was also the name of IBM’s database and transaction
management system that was first introduced in 1968. This system not only
supported NASA’s Apollo space, it was also the predecessor of IBM’s foremost
categorized database management system (DBMS). Since its introduction, Information
Management System has undergone many changes and has adapted new programming
tools and environments.
There are two
major components of Information Management System:
· IMS Database Management System (IMS DB)
· IMS Transaction Management System (IMS TM)
In Information Management System DB, data is placed and
arranged into hierarchy. Such databases use segments as the basic structure of
its hierarchical model. The segment at the top of the hierarchy is called the
root segment. Sections of a specific segment are called child segments. The
data stored in every level is dependent on the data organized in its higher
level. The data is stored in such a manner that its integrity is ensured and
the storage and retrieval process is improved.
The Information Management System database
further comes in three forms.
● Full functioning
database - It is derived from the Data Language Inter (DL/I and may have more
than one single access method. Tp store and access the database fields,
Overflow Sequence Access Sequence Method (OSAM) or Virtual Storage Access
Method (VSAM) are used.
● Fast Path
Database: Fast path databases are designed to facilitate the optimum transfer
rate. Data entry databases (DEDB) and the Main storage Databases are its main
examples.
● High Availability
large Database: Used to handle large volumes of data and provides reliable
availability for each segment present in the database.
Information
Management System TM controls input and output and processing of
transactions. It offers services like formatting, logging and recovery of
messages. IMS TM maintains communications security and manages scheduling and
execution of programs. It uses a messaging technique mechanism for queuing
requests.
In a nutshell, the whole purpose of an
Information Management System is to design, develop, manage, and utilize
collected data, information, insights, and innovations. The purpose of Information
Management System is to support decision-making via information analysis
and forecasting. The system is designed to create value for the individuals and
organizations, running operations digitally. Further, the IMS is also used to
analyze the market and behavior associated with the product and services
offered by the organization. They have invaluable contributions in process
control, management report systems, inventory control, sales and marketing,
human resource, accounting and finance, decision making, and other vital
organizational operations.
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