Industries today are driven by information that is stored and analyzed by many different types of computers. In many companies, these computers are linked so they share business information within a company and "talk" to each other. Such linked computers are called an Information Systems Network. This network must be managed by an administrator. In the water industry, an Information Systems Network Administrator may:

• link computers in treatment plants, pumping stations, and the distribution system so all of the plants know exactly what is happening in the other facilities the instant they happen;
• collect and interpret data from remote sensing devices, such as pressure sensors or pH meters in remote water mains;
• coordinate electronic water meter reading with the billing department;
• coordinate the information systems used by human resources, customer service, operations management (such as word processors and e-mail).