DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEM WHAT IS A DSS ?

The term management information system was first coined to distinguish the systems that merely process transaction data from systems whose primary purpose is to provide information. The first information-oriented MIS possessed the characteristics of the management reporting systems (MRS): that is, they provided fixed, preformatted information in a standardized way. Typical outputs of this type were computer-produced, hardcopy summary and exception reports that a companys MIS department might circulate periodically to various middle managers. A decision support system (DSS) can be defined as a system that provides tools to managers to assist them in solving semistructured and unstructured problems in their own. somewhat personalized, way. Often, some type of modeling environment perhaps a very simple environment such as the one accompanying a spreadsheet package is involved. A DSS is not intended to make decisions for managers, but rather to provide managers with a set of capabilities that enables them to generate the information required by them in making decisions. In other words, a DSS supports the human decision making process, rather than providing a means to replace it.

DSS GOALS AND APPLICATIONS

(i) Sernistructured and Unstructured Decisions Structured decisions are those that are easily made from a given set of inputs. These types of decisions such as deciding to issue a reminder notice if a bill is overdue or deciding to sell a stock under a given set of market conditions can be programmed fairly easily. Unstructured decisions and semistrLlctured decisions, however, are decisions for which information obtained from a computer system is only a portion of the total knowledge needed to make the decision.

(ii)

Ability to adapt to changing needs : Sernistructured and unstructured decisions often do not conform to a predefined set of decision-making rules. Because of this; their decision support systems must provide for enough flexibility to enable users to model their own information needs. They should also be capable of adapting to changing information needs. Ease of Learning and Use : Since decision support systems are often built and operated by users rather than by computer professionals, the tools that accompany them should be relatively easy to learn and use. Such software tools employ user-oriented interfaces such as grids, graphics, non-procedural fourth generation languages (4GL). natural English, and easily read documentation. These interfaces make it easier for users to conceptualize and perform the decision-making process.

(iii)

COMPONENTS OF DSS

The User : The user of a decision support system is usually a

manager with an unstructured or semi-structured problem to solve. The manager may be at any level of authority in the organisation .
Database : Decision support systems include one or more

databases. These databases contain both routine and non-routine data from both internal and external sources. The data from external sources include data about the operating environment surrounding an organisation .
Planning Languages : Two types of planning languages that are

commonly used in decision support systems are: (1) general purpose planning languages and (2) special- purpose planning languages. General-purpose planning languages allow users to perform.
Model Base : The planning language in a decision support system

allows the user to maintain a dialogue with the model base. The model base is the brain of the decision support system because it performs data manipulations and computations with the data provided to it by the user and the database.