Examples include integrated patient records, case management systems, integrated health database systems, integrated decision support systems, and expert systems. See Figure 2-5. As one plots where an organization is in terms of its information technologies and its types of applications, one can measure the organization's level of comprehensiveness in terms of its integrated systems approach, as well as measure the organization's level of technology integration. R.L. Nolan identifies different stages in which the organization is in based on the level of data processing expenditures. From his research he has defined six stages.
Computer technology is introduced, but mostly for transaction processing.
Computer technology moves to a more sophisticated levle of application, accompanied by more resource investment. The growth of computer technology levels off as the organization realizes that the technology is fragmented, and out of control, and there is not a clear return on investment. The organization tries to do more planning and controlling of the technology, while making end-users more accountable. During this stage of growth less money is spent. At this stage, a new proliferation of applications occurs, but in a more structured and organized manner.