Executive information systems (EIS) have been undergoing an evolution since they were first developed in the 1980s as a vehicle to summarize important operating data for top management. Early EIS usually consisted of custom programs designed to summarize key information from the mainframe in an easy-to-read, easy-to-access format for the CEO. The data was refreshed periodically and took the place of “flash reports” in helping the executive keep informed without wading through mounds of computer printouts. Executive Information Systems