DSS

            A decision support system (DSS) is a computer-based information system that supports business or organizational decision-making activities. [1] The purpose of these systems are to allow business executives to look at a collection of data and statistics, combine it with their knowledge as business people and collectively identify problems and make decisions to solve them. A combination of human and computer knowledge seems to be the most beneficial, but a DSS can also be composed of strictly computer software, or a team of people. These programs are engineered for the business they are being used for and can be composed of multiple software programs if necessary. Typical informational outputs of a DSS are inventories of information assets, comparative sales figures between one period and the next, and projected revenue figures based on product sales assumptions. [1] Results in those categories can shed light on areas of strengths and weaknesses. Once these projections and comparisons are presented, decision-making becomes a lot easier.

            One example of a DSS is a Data-Driven DSS. Briggs & Stratton is one of the world’s biggest producers of gas engines for outdoor power equipment. They manufacture over 11 million engines a year and use Data Driven DSS. A recent study by DSSResources.com showed Briggs & Stratton used SAS BI to consolidated information and deliver it globally to manufacturing offices. [2] This case in particular made score cards for office executives around the globe using over 50 information-producing workers. Since this company is considered a “global enterprise” and operates in multiple countries on multiple continents a DSS can be very useful for joint decision-making. These branches need to be cooperatively controlled. Decisions made inside of a company of this magnitude need to be in sync. Using a DSS helps guide them in the right direction.

            DSS also provides analysis and structure to an internal problem. The whole purpose of the DSS is to make the most informed decision possible. Data-driven DSS is just one of many forms a DSS can take. Some other DSS focus on specific business models or communications. “The better the manager understands the different categories, scope and use of DSS the better he will be able to specify requirements for a DSS that he wants to implement of buy”. [3]

            In closing the DSS is similar to an IS in the sense that the user needs to be able to understand the information and what factors go into obtaining that information for it to be useful. When the complex outputs of a DSS can be understood and broken down, more educated business decisions can be made and problems can be addressed correctly and swiftly.

[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decision_support_system

[2] http://dssresources.com/faq/index.php?action=artikel&id=114

[3] http://www.umsl.edu/~sauterv/analysis/488_f02_papers/dss.html