The Information Management Service (IMS) has its roots in the late 1900s, the period when the term Electronic Data Processing (EDP) was the standard technology.
 
Sometime in 1989, the Electronic Data Processing (EDP) unit was set up initially as an extension section of the UP Manila Accounting Office.
 
A faculty member from the College of Arts and Sciences Department of Physical Sciences and Mathematics, named Prof. Vic Rojas, initiated the development of a computer program for the UPM and PGH Regular Payroll.
 
In May of the same year, Mr. Dennis Martin (still working now in the IMS) was one of two persons hired to handle the regular payroll processing using the program developed by Prof. Rojas.
 
Ms. Lorina Tolentino (now Mrs. Alcid) joined the unit in May 1990, to develop additional payroll modules.

The EDP unit then ventured in May 1992 into the development of the Student Information System (SIS), starting from small colleges (College of Nursing, College of Pharmacy, and College of Allied Medical Professions) and expanding into the other, bigger colleges. She was joined by another staff, Ms. Jeanaluz Parnacio, in May 1995.
 
The area of computer literacy training was the next thing that the EDP unit ventured into. Topics included basic computer use, Word Perfect, and Spreadsheet Lotus 123.
 
In the same year (1995), UP Manila started its Internet connectivity via PHNet in collaboration with the University Library headed by then Ms. Rosvida Rosal. Then, Mr. Eric Pareja joined the EDP staff, to act as systems administrator.
 
Then came the transformation of the EDP unit into a more responsive, stronger ICT-based unit of the University.
 
In 1996, under the supervision of Prof. Sheila Magboo, the EDP was tasked to propose the Inter-Buildings connectivity via Fiber Optic. Since then the mandate of EDP has become more ICT in nature.
 
Then on July 31, 1998, by virtue of a UP Board of Regents’ decision, the Information Management Service was established, headed then by Prof. Ariel S. Betan. 
 
Two major projects of the time were the development of the SIS into Computerized Registration System (CRS), handled by four developers led by Ms. Melissa Pagaduan, and the structured cabling of the University.
 
Those projects started the growth and development of the IMS as it has evolved to this day.