Management Information Systems (MIS): What is the term for an MIS architecture that relies on a single main computer system to provide services and control?

Introduction / Context:
Organizations may design MIS architectures along a spectrum—from centralized to distributed. Centralized MIS consolidates processing and control on one main system, simplifying governance and standardization.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• One primary computer provides core MIS services.
• Users and departments depend on the central node for data and applications.
• The question asks for the architectural label that describes this setup.

Concept / Approach:
A centralized MIS structure concentrates computing resources and administration. Benefits include easier policy enforcement and consistent data integrity; trade-offs include potential single points of failure and scalability constraints if not engineered with redundancy.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
In contrast, distributed or decentralized structures spread computation across multiple nodes or departments.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Distributed/Decentralized: imply multiple autonomous or semi-autonomous nodes.
• Hierarchical: refers to layered management or data structures, not necessarily single-node centralization.
• None of the above: incorrect because centralized fits exactly.

Common Pitfalls:
Confusing organizational hierarchy with system centralization; they are separate design choices.

Final Answer:
Centralized MIS structure