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Chapter 3�Decision Support Systems:�An Overview

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Turban, Aronson, and Liang Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, Seventh Edition

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Learning Objectives

Understand DSS configurations.
Learn characteristics and capabilities of DSS.
Understand DSS components.
Describe structure of DSS components.
Understand how DSS and the Web interact.
Learn the role of the user in DSS.
Understand DSS hardware and integration.
Learn DSS configurations.

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Southwest Airlines Flies in the Face of Competition Through DSS Vignette

Successfully integrates DSS applications
Ties ERP applications to OLAP, allowing retrieval of financial data
Allows access to both financial and operational data

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Decision Support Systems

Systems designed to support managerial decision-making in unstructured problems
More recently, emphasis has shifted to inputs from outputs
Mechanism for interaction between user and components
Usually built to support solution or evaluate opportunities

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DSS

A DSS is a methodology that supports decision-making.
It is:

Flexible;
Adaptive;
Interactive;
GUI-based;
Iterative; and
Employs modeling.

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Business Intelligence

Proactive
Accelerates decision-making
Increases information flows
Components of proactive BI:

Real-time warehousing
Exception and anomaly detection
Proactive alerting with automatic recipient determination
Seamless follow-through workflow
Automatic learning and refinement

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Components of DSS

Subsystems:

Data management

Managed by DBMS

Model management

Managed by MBMS

User interface
Knowledge Management and organizational knowledge base

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Data Management Subsystem

Components:

Database
Database management system
Data directory
Query facility

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Database

Interrelated data extracted from various sources, stored for use by the organization, and queried

Internal data, usually from TPS
External data from government agencies, trade associations, market research firms, forecasting firms
Private data or guidelines used by decision-makers

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Database Management System

Extracts data
Manages data and their relationships
Updates (add, delete, edit, change)
Retrieves data (accesses it)
Queries and manipulates data
Employs data dictionary

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Data Directory

Catalog of all data

Contains data definitions
Answers questions about the availability of data items
Source
Meaning
Allows for additions, removals, and alterations

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Model Management Subsystem

Components:

Model base
Model base management system
Modeling language
Model directory
Model execution, integration, and command processor

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Models

Strategic

Supports top management decisions

Tactical

Used primarily by middle management to allocate resources

Operational

Supports daily activities

Analytical

Used to perform analysis of data

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Placeholder

figure 3.5

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Model Base Management System

Functions:

Model creation
Model updates
Model data manipulation
Generation of new routines

Model directory:

Catalog of models
Definitions

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Model Management Activities

Model execution

Controls running of model

Model command processor

Receives model instructions from user interface
Routes instructions to MBMS or module execution or integration functions

Model integration

Combines several models’ operations

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User Interface System

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Knowledge-based system

Data management and DBMS

Model management and MBMS

User Interface Management System (UIMS)

Natural Language Processor

Input

Action

Languages

Output

Display

Language

Users

Printers, Plotters

PC Display

Based on Figure 3.6, Schematic View of the User Interface

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User Interface Management System

GUI
Natural language processor
Interacts with model management and data management subsystems
Examples

Speech recognition
Display panel
Tactile interfaces
Gesture interface

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Knowledge-Based Management System

Expert or intelligent agent system component
Complex problem solving
Enhances operations of other components
May consist of several systems
Often text-oriented DSS

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DSS Hardware

De facto standard
Web server with DBMS:

Operates using browser
Data stored in variety of databases
Can be mainframe, server, workstation, or PC
Any network type
Access for mobile devices

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DSS Classifications

Alter

Extent to which outputs can directly support or determine the decision
Data oriented or model oriented

Holsapple and Whinston

Text oriented, database oriented, spreadsheet oriented, solver oriented, rule oriented, or compound

Intelligent

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(ad hoc analysis)

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DSS Classifications

Donovan and Madnick

Institutional
Problems of recurring nature

Ad hoc

Problems that are not anticipated or are not repetitive

Hackathorn and Keen

Personal support, group support, or organizational support

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DSS Classifications

GSS v. Individual DSS

Decisions made by entire group or by lone decision maker

Custom made v. vendor ready made

Generic DSS may be modified for use

Database, models, interface, support are built in
Addresses repeatable industry problems
Reduces costs

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Web and DSS

Data collection
Communications
Collaborations
Download capabilities
Run on Web servers
Simplifies integration problems
Increased usability features

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