Decision support systems (DSS)

Recap previous lesson Define a decision support system List the three classifications of a decision support system and give an example of each Structured situation Semi-structured situation Unstructured situation

HSC Exam questions 2010 HSC, Section III Define the characteristics of a semi structured Decision Support Systems (1 mark) A semistructured decision support system has a clear method (set of predefined rules) but can allow for variables in determining the outcome. For example, a fingerprint matching system has a clear method of instructions in locating who the fingerprints belong to, however such a task has variables, eg not a full print, its been impaired and therefore making the outcome difficult to find. Semistructured decision support systems follow a pattern to reach a decision yet the answer cannot be guaranteed.

Types of dSS Spreadsheet Database Expert system Neural network Data warehouse Group DSS Geographic information system (GIS) Management Information System (GIS)

Types of DSS 1. Spreadsheet Spreadsheet – A rectangular grid made up of rows and columns to organize and store data that required some type of calculation What if – process of making changes to the data and observing their effects Types of data Label – text entered into a cell to provide some explanation of the spreadsheet Values – numbers stored in a spreadsheet on which calculations are carried out Formula – instructions to perform a calculation Features; editing, template, macro chart Example: A spreadsheet is used to calculate how much carpet is needed for a room 3m x 6.5 m

Types of DSS 2. Database Database – an organized collection of data Use of basic queries allows data to be extracted and analyzed in the assistance of making decisions Types: Flat File & Relational database Example: A Coles database stores all the items sold in the Gordon store last week. The store manager uses this database to see how many toilet roles were sold, and can from there make a decision how many more toilet roles to order.

Types of DSS 3. Expert Systems (ES) Expert Systems – store and use collected “knowledge” of experts to make decisions in complex areas Allows people who are not experts in a given field to make decisions that reflect/resemble that of a decision made by and expert Users must accept or reject the decisions since the conclusion is not guaranteed Used in semi-structured situations and unstructured situations Work of IF/THEN Rules Example: A doctor uses an expert system to diagnose the problem with a patient, by enter the symptoms

Types of DSS 4. Neural Network (NN) Neural Network (NN) – DSS that use “artificial intelligence” (AI) to make decisions. A NN is AI modeled to act in a manner similar to that of the human brain. They learn from experience and are built in a way that their designers often cannot explain why that make the decisions that they do NN must be “trained” to recognized patters and adopt to changing environments. Example: An automated telephone answering machine, uses a neural network to learn speech, and can then redirect calls when people call

Types of DSS 5. Data warehouse Data warehouse - a database that collects information from different data sources Data is gathered from sources such as transaction data from a series of retail outlets. This data can then be used for analysis. The data in a data warehouse is historical and read only. It provides a ‘snap shot’ of business operations at a given point in time. Example: Woolworths has a data warehouse on sales for all stores in NSW. Staff examine the data and see the trends of purchases for season of winter, and assist to make a decision on what to re order appropriate stock and qantity for this winter.

HSC Exam questions 2010 HSC, Section III Define the term data warehouse (1 mark) Data warehousing is a historical storage of data from a variety of databases. Later used for analysis by data mining, which searches for patterns and trends in the data.

Types of DSS 6. Group decision support systems (GDSS) Group decision support systems (GDSS) – an information system that assists users to make a decision by working together in a group. Features: presentation material, commenting, brainstorming, voting, evaluation The use of a GDSS is an emerging trend rather than a common practice in business. Example: Apple Inc. uses a GDSS brainstorming feature to help decide what to new products to make, from input from their staff.

Types of DSS 7. Geographic information systems (GIS) Geographic information systems (GIS) - A geographic information system is an information system that analyses, manages, manipulates, stores and presents geographically referenced information. A GIS allows a user to query or analyse a relational database and display results as a map. A GIS can be used for scientific investigations, resource management, asset management, environmental impact assessment, urban planning, cartography, criminology, history, sales, marketing, and logistics. Example: Emergency planners use a GIS to easily calculate emergency response times in the event of a natural disaster.

HSC Exam questions 2009 HSC, Section III Define the term geographical information system (1 mark) A Geographical Information System (GIS) captures, stores, analyses, manages and presents data that refers to or is linked to location. OR Geographical Information Systems represent data using maps

HSC Exam questions 2009 HSC, Section III Describe one example of how a GIS can be used in decision support (2 marks) A business which sells 3G phones can use Google Earth and zoom in on areas with 3G coverage and then examine areas where they have few customers but there is high population density. A tag may display the underlying data or perhaps statistics or even a graph related to the current map location.

Types of DSS 8. Management Information Systems (MIS) Management Information Systems (MIS) - used to analyze other information systems applied in operational activities in the organization. An MIS includes a group of information management methods related to the automation or support of decision making. A range of different types of reports are generated by an MIS including scheduled reports, forecasting reports, on-demand reports and exception reports. Example: Dicksmith Management would uses a MIS to assist to make the decision how many staff they should put on over the Christmas period, based on sales data from the previous years.