1. DSS Architecture
MBA 572
Craig K. Tyran
Fall 2002

2. A. Game Plan Introduction Computer hardware Type of platforms
Stand alone
Centralized system
Client/Server processing

3. B. Computer Architecture
Refers to the way that the information system
Is physically laid out
How tasks are allocated
How parts of system interact with each other
How system interacts with the outside world
Goals
Ease of use
Compatibility of systems
Expandability of systems

4. C. Computer Hardware When addressing the topic of “architecture” …
It may be useful to get a quick refresher on computer hardware and operating system terms …
Rank the following from largest to smallest:
Micro computer
Mainframe
Workstation
PDA
Supercomputer

5. C. Computer Hardware (cont.)
Supercomputer
Most processing power
Common applications: Large simulation models of real-world phenomena
Mainframe Computer
“Big iron”
Used in large corporations for centralized data processing and maintaining large databases
Multi-user access
Recent application: Large servers for WWW systems
Vendors include IBM, Amdahl, Hitachi

6. C. Computer Hardware (cont.)
4. Workstation
Desktop machines
“PC on steroids”
Provide very high-speed calculations and high-resolution graphic displays
Applications: engineering, stock market analysts, software development, animated movies
Vendors include Sun Microsystems, Silicon Graphics

7. C. Computer Hardware (cont.)
5. Microcomputer
Desktop PC, Mac
Often single-user, but can be used as servers
Vendors??
6. Personal digital assistant (PDA)
Hand-held “palmtop” computer
Wireless capabilities: WWW and
Vendors: Palm, Handspring, Compaq

8. D. Operating System Software
1. Operating system (OS)
Supervises the overall operation of computer
Interacts with application software
Manages the operation of computer hardware
Intermediary between application SW and computer HW
Application Software
Operating System

9. D. Operating System (cont.)
Functions: Examples
Processor Management
Multitasking
Memory management
Processes require memory
OS  Allocates memory across processes
Storage management
Allows users to save, delete, access, & organize files stored in secondary storage
OS  Keeps track of physical location and characteristics of files
User interface
This what the user sees
Most people prefer a “GUI” interface
Example???

10. E. Platforms
Refers to the combined hardware/ operating system environment that supports applications
Common platform types include
Free standing user system
Central corporate system
Client-server system

11. D. “Free Standing” Platform
DSS is “self contained” -- does not access any other computers or databases
e.g., PC running an Excel workbook with a list of data
Pros
Can be less complex with respect to sharing/hooking up with other systems
User can have complete control
Good development tools available (e.g., Excel)
Cons
No access to other systems imposes limitations
e.g., can’t access company database  not good for data-oriented DSS
Sharing results with others can be more difficult

12. E. “Central Corporate” Platform
A very well known information “architecture”
Example: Mainframe environment
Many people log into one big computer to use DSS
Pros
Large platform can support intensive processing
And … access to organizational database
Centralized location can help with updates
Cons
Responsiveness may be an issue
e.g., other system operations may have priority
User may have to wait more to get DSS developed or upgraded
User interface to larger platform may not be easy for end users

13. F. “Client-Server” Platform
1. Client/server environment
Computers are networked together
Processing/storage is shared across two or more computers
Very popular architecture
Have you ever used a client/server network???

14. F. Client/Server Processing
2. Division of labor
 “Smart” client and a “smart” server
3. Role of client
User interface (“front end”)
May also perform processing
Example of a simple client
WWW program that accepts sales orders
Capture input, display output

15. F. Client/Server Processing
4. Role of server
“Back end”
Manage the data
Some or most of the processing for a business task may be handled at the server
Example
See figure

16. Client/Server Implementation for Pay Raises

17. F. Client/Server Processing (cont.)
5. Server computers
???
PCs, work stations, mainframe computers
6. Types of client/server models
The “models” vary with regard to division of labor
Key variations:
Where does the presentation processing happen?
Where does the logic processing happen?
Where does the data management happen?

18. Client/Server Models

19. F. Client/Server Processing (cont.)
7. Pros
User only needs to learn the client interface
Can be more user friendly
e.g., data entry can be done using MS Windows interface instead of an unfamiliar mainframe interface
Can have “thinner” clients
“Thinner”  Less computer processing
Do not need all database or application software at client
Save $$ since it is not necessary to buy expensive desktops computers
If computers share the labor, then don’t need to download as much data over the network
Less data transfer  better network performance

20. F. Client/Server Processing (cont.)
8. Cons
Can take extra time/expertise to ensure coordination between server and client
Can be more difficult/costly ($$$) to manage
Potential security issues involving the network