n
MSS enables senior management to:
n
1.
access common, shared sources of
n
2.
internal and external information
n
3.
that have been summarized in
4.
easy-to-access, graphical displays
n
function as an integrated approach to sharing information in an easy-to-use, highly visual, and
personalized way
n
system helps promote a shared view of business activities due to integration of tools and
distributed data/information
n
managers can get up-to-date information on industry news, competitor/market trends and
internal operations
most successful MSS are developed as
n
1.
one aspect of a distributed, enterprise information system
n
2.
that enables flexible and integrated information sharing and communication
n
3.
both inside orgs. and with external suppliers, customers and other business partners.
n
1980s - managers had support tools designed to run on PCs (e.g. spreadsheets, statistical
packages, graphics packages, word processing, project management, etc.)
n
1990s - MSS provide integrated environment for these support tools
MSS
n
MSS usually designed so that individual manager can customize the system as needed
n
MSS architecture - client/server environment
n
one component of a distributed information infrastructure
Four levels of functionality in MSS\
n
1. electronic briefing books
n
2. exception reporting
n
3. active exploration of info. resources using
n
4. focused management support
1. electronic briefing books
graphical information displays that provide pre-formatte d routine info.
displays stored as information categories (e.g. pricing, product)
2. exception reporting
3. critical info. outside range of pre-defined boundaries is highlighted
4. manager may be notified by system
5. some orgs. use traffic-light pattern for exception reporting
a. green = no problems
b. yellow = caution, marginal condition
c. red = trouble, needs immediate attention
n
n
n
active exploration of info. resources using
MSS can build queries to relational data bases based on point and click of managers
can move between internal and external DBs
integrate all different analysis tools
n
n
focused management support
focus support on key management activities or decisions (e.g. promotion planning, pricing)
requires integration of variety of sophisticated support tools customized for specific activity
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
Implementing an MSS
Four key categories of risk must be managed:
1.
need thorough understanding of individual, team, and organizational information
requirements
2.
involves mega-change to formal and informal policies and practices for information
management and communication information is power
Implementing an MSS
Four key categories of risk must be managed:
3.
implementation of an MSS should be considered an organizational change initiative
need to manage the change
4.
must manage the simultaneous evolution of both the organization and the technological
infrastructure
Past
Back in 1980s, management support tools consisted of stand-alone (e.g. not integrated!!)
systems.
Two major types of support systems were (are) termed (1) DSS and (2) EIS/ESS.
n
Here’s some info. on these stand-alone systems.
Decision support system
n
systems that support rather than replace "managers" in their decision-making activities
n
give decision maker access to data and models, but the intelligence, intuition, and judgment of
the decision maker are integral parts of the system
n
DSS provide decision support - don't automatically make the decision. They help with the
decision.
n
Primarily support planning function
Types of decisions

Organizational problems differ in terms of how structured the problems are

the extent to which a solution procedure can be stated

structured - routine, repetitive

unstructured - novel, nonroutine

semistructured - somewhere in between
n
DSS - computer system at management level that combines data, analytical models, and
user-friendly software to support semistructured and unstructured decision making
n
give uses capability to analyze data - provide software tools
n
a DSS is focused on a specific decision
n
computer-based systems
n

that help decision makers
n

confront un-structured and semi-structured problems
n

through direct interaction
n

with data and analysis models
Differences between DSS and MIS
n (note - MIS refers to formal systems developed by IS professionals; e.g.
management reporting systems)
n DSS - end-user control of data and tools
n aimed at top and middle managers
n emphasize change, flexibility and quick response iterative development process
n MIS - dominated by IS professionals
n focuses on structured information flows to
n middle managers
n traditional development process