B. Information Technology (IS ) CISB434: Decision Support Systems

1. B. Information Technology (IS)CISB434: Decision Support Systems Chapter 4: An Overview of DSS Concepts, Methodologies & Technologies

2. Examine the possible decision support system (DSS) configurations Describe the DSS characteristics and capabilities Learning Objectives

3. Learning Objectives Describe the components and structure of DSS Data Management Subsystem Model Management Subsystem User Interface (Dialog) Subsystem Knowledge-based Management Subsys-tem User

4. Learning Objectives Explain the unique role of the user in DSS versus MIS Describe DSS hardware and software platforms Examine important DSS classifications

5. An Overview of DSS Concepts, Methodologies & Technologies DSS Configurations

6. Decision support can be provided in many different configurations These configurations depend on the nature of the management-decision situation, and the specific technologies used for support DSS ConfigurationsIntroduction

7. DSS ConfigurationsIntroduction These technologies are assembled from four basic components Data Models User interface Knowledge (optional)

8. DSS DescriptionDSS Application A DSS program is build for a specific purpose e.g. a scheduling system for a company Typically built to support the solution of a problem evaluate an opportunity An approach (or methodology) for sup-porting decision making

9. DSS DescriptionDSS Application A DSS supports all phases of decision making may include a knowledge component Can be used by a single user on a PC Can be Web-based for use by many people at several locations

10. DSS ApplicationArchitecture

11. An Overview of DSS Concepts, Methodologies & Technologies DSS Characteristics & Capabilities

12. Characteristics & Capabilities

13. Characteristics & Capabilities Business analytics The application of models directly to business data It involves using DSS tools, especially models, in assisting decision makers It is essentially OLAP/DSS Predictive analytics A business analytical approach toward forecasting e.g., demand, problems, opportunities that is used instead of simply reporting data as they occur

14. Characteristics & Capabilities Support for decision makers mainly in semi-structured and unstruc-tured situations by bringing together human judgment and computerized information Support for all managerial levels ranging from top executives to line managers Support for individuals and groups Support for interdependent and/or se-quential decisions Support in all phases of the decision-making process Support for a variety of decision-making processes and styles 12

15. Characteristics & Capabilities DSS are flexible users can add, delete, combine, change, or rearrange basic elements DSS can be readily modified to solve other similar problems User-friendliness strong graphical capabilities a natural language interactive human–machine interface can greatly increase the effectiveness of DSS Improved effectiveness of decision making e.g. accuracy, timeliness 12

16. Characteristics & Capabilities Decision maker has complete control over all steps of decision-making End users are able to develop and modify simple systems by themselves Models are generally utilized to analyze decision-making situations models enable experimentation 12

17. Characteristics & Capabilities Access is provided to a variety of data sources, formats, and types Can be employed as a standalone tool used by a decision maker in one location or distributed throughout an organization or in several organizations along the supply chain Can be integrated with other DSS and/ or applications can be distributed internally and externally using networking and Web technologies 12

18. An Overview of DSS Concepts, Methodologies & Technologies Components of DSS

19. Components of dss • Data Management Subsystem • Model Management Subsystem • User Interface (Dialog) Subsystem • Knowledge-based Management Subsys-tem • User

20. Components of DSS

21. Components of DSS Data Management Subsystem

22. Components of DSS Data Management Subsystem 23

23. Components of DSS Data Management Subsystem The data management subsystem is composed of DSS database DBMS Data directory Query facility 23 24

24. Data Management SubsystemThe DSS Database Internal Data come mainly from the organization’s Transaction Processing System (TPS) Private Data can include guidelines used by some decision makers assessments of specific data and/or situations External Data includes industry data market research data census data regional employment data government regulations tax rate schedules national economic data 24

25. Data Management SubsystemData Organization Data for DSS can be entered directly into models extracted directly from larger databases e.g. Data Warehouse Can include multimedia objects OODBs in XML used in m-commerce

26. Data Management SubsystemData Extraction (ETL) The process of capturing data from several sources synthesizing, summarizing determining which of them are relevant and organizing them resulting in their effective integration 24

27. Data Management SubsystemDatabase Management System A database is created, accessed and updated by a DBMS Software for establishing, updating, and querying e.g. managing a database record navigation data relationships report generation 24

28. Data Management SubsystemQuery Facility The (database) mechanism that accepts requests for data accesses manipulates and queries data Includes a query language e.g. SQL 24

29. Data Management SubsystemData Directory A catalog of all the data in a database or all the models in a model base Contains data definitions data source data meaning Supports addition and deletion of new entries

30. Data Management SubsystemKey DB & DBMS Issues Data quality Managers feel they do not get the data they need – 54% satisfied Poor quality data leads to poor quality information waste lost opportunities unhappy customers

31. Data Management SubsystemKey DB & DBMS Issues Data integration For DSS to work, data must be integrated from disparate sources Data sources must be mapped into a set of metadata

32. Data Management SubsystemKey DB & DBMS Issues Scalability Volume of data increases dramatically e.g. from 2001 – 2003, size of largest TPS DB increase two-fold (11 – 20 terabytes) Needs new storage and search techno-logies

33. Data Management SubsystemKey DB & DBMS Issues Data security data must be protected from unauthorized access through security measures tools to monitor database activities audit trail

34. Components of DSS Model Management Subsystem

35. Components of DSS Model Management Subsystem 23

36. Components of DSS Model Management Subsystem The Model Management Subsystem is composed of the following elements Model Base MBMS Modeling Language Model Directory Model Execution, Integration & Command Processor 37

37. Model Management SubsystemModel Base A collection of preprogrammed quanti-tative models e.g., statistical, financial, optimization Organized as a single unit Provides analysis capabilities for DSS 37

38. Model Management SubsystemModel Base Four categories of models with the model base Strategic models Tactical models Operational models Analytical models 37

39. Model Management SubsystemCategories of Models Strategic Models Models that represent problems for the strategic level i.e. executive level of management developing corporate objectives forecasting sales target Tactical Models Models that represent problems for the tactical level i.e. mid-level management allocates and controls resources labour requirement planning sales promotion planning

40. Model Management SubsystemCategories of Models Operational Model Models that represent problems for the operational level of management Supports day-to-day working activities manufacturing targets e-commerce transaction acceptance approval of personal loans Analytical Models Mathematical models into which data are loaded for analysis statistical management science data mining algorithms Integrated with other models, e.g. strategic planning model

41. Model Management SubsystemModel Building Blocks & Routines Model building blocks Preprogrammed software elements that can be used to build computerized models e.g. curve- or line-fitting routine regression analysis Model components for building DSS Modeling tools

42. Model Management SubsystemModel Base Management System MBMS software has four main functions Model creation using programming languages DSS tools and/or subroutines and other building blocks Generation of new routines and reports Model updating and changing Model data manipulation 37

43. Model Management SubsystemModel Directory Similar to database directory A catalog of all models and other soft-ware in the model base model definitions functions availability and capability 37

44. Model Management SubsystemModel Execution, Integration Model execution the process of controlling the actual run-ning of the model Model integration involves combining the operations of several models when needed 37

45. Model Management SubsystemModel Command Processor A model command processor accepts and interpret modeling instruc-tions from the user interface component and route them to the MBMS model execution or integration functions 37

46. Model Management SubsystemSome DSS Questions Which models should be used for what situations? Cannot be done by MBMS What method should be used to solve a problem in a specific model class? highly dependent on the knowledge com-ponent

47. Components of DSS User Interface (Dialog) Subsystem

48. Components of DSS User Interface (Dialog) Subsystem User Interface The component of a computer system that allows bidirectional communication bet-ween the system and its user Managed by User Interface Management System (UIMS) The DSS component that handles all inter-action between users and the system 23

49. User Interface (Dialog) Subsys.The User Interface Process Object A person, place, or thing about which information is collected, processed, or stored Graphical User Interface (GUI) An interactive, user-friendly interface in which, by using icons and similar objects, the user can control communication with a computer

50. User Interface (Dialog) Subsys.The User Interface Process 23