DSS Capabilities and Characteristics: Business analytics focus on the use of models and data to improve an

organization's performance and/or competitive posture. Web analytics means using business analytics on real-
time Web information to assist in decision making; often related to e-Commerce. Predictive analytics describes
the business analytics method of forecasting problems and opportunities rather than simply reporting them as
they occur 1. Support for decision makers, mainly in semistructured and unstructured situations, by bringing
together human judgment and computerized information 2. Support for all managerial levels, ranging from top
executives to line managers 3. Support for in dividuals as well as groups 4. Support for interdependent and/or
sequential decisions 5. Support in all phases of the decision-making process 6. Support for a variety of decision-
making processes and styles 7. DSS are flexible, so users can add, delete, combine, change, or rearrange basic
elements; DSS can be readily modified to solve other, similar problems 8. User-friendliness, strong graphical
capabilities, and a natural language interactive humanmachine interface can greatly increase the effectiveness of
DSS 9. Improved effectiveness of decision making 10.The decision maker has complete control over all steps of
the decision-making process in solving a problem 11. End users are able to develop and modify simple systems
by themselves 12. Models are generally utilized to analyze decision-making situations13. Access is provided to a
variety of data sources, formats, and types 14. Can be employed as a standalone tool used by an individual
decision maker in one location or distributed throughout an organization and in several organizations along the
supply chain 15. Can be integrated with other DSS and/or applications, and it can be distributed internally and
externally, using networking and Web technologies

AIS SIGDSS classification for DSS : Communications-driven and group DSS (GSS): Includes how computer,
collaboration, and communication technology support groups in tasks. Essentially, all DSS that involve
supporting any group work fall into this category. E.g., SCM. Data-driven DSS: Primarily rely on data and their
processing into information, along with the presentation of this information to a decision maker. May DSS
developed in OLAP and data mining software systems essentially fall into this category. It also has Strong Report
and Query capabilities. Document-driven DSS: relies on knowledge coding, analysis, search, and retrieval for
decision support. This includes all text-based DSS and most KMS. Document-driven DSS have minimal
emphasis on mathematical models. Knowledge-driven DSS, data mining, and management ES applications:
Involve the application of knowledge technologies to address specific decision support needs. All Artificial
Intelligence-based DSS fall into this category. Model-driven DSS: The major emphases of DSS that are
primarily developed around one or more optimization or simulation model. E.g., Excel includes dozens of
statistical packages, Solver, and many financial and management models. Compound DSS: A compound or
hybrid, DSS includes two or more of the major categories. Often , an ES can benefit by utilizing some
optimization, or clearly a data driven DSS can feed a large-scale optimization model. Q2. Web Based DSS
Architecture: Processing is distributed over several servers in solving analytical problems. Web Browser: to run
programs on application server. Servers access data to construct one or more models . Data may be provided by
Data server that optionally extracts data from data warehouses or legacy mainframe system. When user requires
model to be optimized, model populated with data sent to an optimization server. The Optimization server
accesses additional data from the data server (if needed), solves problem, and provide the solution directly to the
users web browser. Then reports are sent to manager by email or web portal.
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Q1. The Database: A database is a collection of interrelated data , organised to meet the needs and
structure of an organization that can be used by one person for more than one application. Data in a DSS
database are extracted from: 1. Internal data come mainly from the organizations transaction processing
system 2. External data include industry data, market research data, census data, regional employment data,
government regulations, tax rate schedules, and national economic data 3. Private data can include
guidelines used by specific decision makers and assessments of specific data and/or situations. DBMS:
Software for establishing, updating, and querying (e.g., managing) a database. The DBMS manages the
database to organize, extract/access, modify, delete, and catalogue data.. Data Directory: The main purpose
of the directory, and the data definitions it contains, is to answer questions about the availability of data
items, their source, and their meaning. It also contains access rules that control users access to certain
columns or rows of the database tables. Query Facility: The (database) mechanism that accepts requests
for data, accesses them, manipulates them, and queries them.

Q2. Ingredients of Data (Information) Quality Management : Data quality is a business problem, not
only a systems problem. 2. Focus on information about customers and suppliers, not just data 3. Focus on
all components of data: definition, content, and presentation 4. Implement data/information quality
management processes, not just software to handle them 5. Measure data accuracy as well as validity.
6.Measure real costs (not just the percentage) of poor quality data/information 7. Emphasize process
improvement preventive maintenance, not just data cleansing. 8. Improve processes (and hence data quality)
at the source 9. Educate managers about the impacts of poor data quality and how to improve it 10. Actively
transform the culture to one that values data quality
Q2. DSS USER and HARDWARE: The person faced with a decision that an MSS is designed to support is called
the user, manager or the decision maker. The users differ greatly from each other and they can be an individual or a
group, depending on who is responsible for the decision. They occupy different organizational positions; cognitive
preferences/abilities and the ways of arriving at a decision. The user, although not listed as a major components of
DSS, by definition provides the human intellect. This intellectual capability is critical to the systems success and
proper use. An MSS has two broad classes of users: managers and staff specialists. Staff specialists use the
system much more frequently than manager and tend to be more detail-oriented. Staff analysts are often
intermediaries between managers and the MSS. Intermediary: A person who uses a computer to fulfill requests
made by other people . Types: Staff assistants have specialized knowledge about management problems and some
experience with decision support technology. Expert tool users are skilled in the application of one or more types
of specialized problem-solving tools. Business (system) analysts have a general knowledge of the application
area, a formal business administration education (not in computer science), and considerable skill in using DSS
construction tools. Facilitators (in a GSS): control and coordinate the use of software to support the work of
people working in a group. They are responsible for the conduct of workgroup sessions. DSS Hardware:
Hardware affects the functionality and usability of the MSS. The choice of hardware can be made before, during,
or after the design of the MSS software . Major hardware options : Organizations servers, Mainframe computers
with legacy DBMS, Workstations, Personal computers, Client/server systems. Portability has become critical for
deploying decision-making capability in the field, especially for salespersons and technicians.

Q2. Key Database and DBMS Issue: Although many issues affect database and are caused by database, but four
important ones that affect DSS dramatically : Data quality: A key issue in data management is data quality.
Decision makers generally do not feel that they get the data and information they really need to do their work. Poor
quality data, which leads to poor quality information, leads directly to waste. The data cannot be trusted and
therefore neither can do any analysis based on them. The old adage Garbage in/garbage out( GIGO) applies. With
poor data, processes will fail or simply perform badly. For example: given inaccurate data in a CRM system,
customers maybe contracted many times, clustered into incorrect groupings, leading to missed sales opportunities
and unhappy customers. Therefore data quality is very important in making right decision and choice. Data
Integration: a single version of the truth is ultimately what decision makers want from their information systems.
Data and information are all over the place in most organizations. When it comes time to develop any enterprise
system, or even a single DSS, data must be gathered from disparate sources and integrated into the single version
of the truth so that everyone is on the same page. Scalability: Large database present major scalability problems.
As the size of the data to be stored and accessed increases, processing times and storage space also grow. The
internet is clearly the main driving force for applications especially across the enterprise. Data Security: one key
issue that DMBS is supposed to handle by its very nature is data security. The consequences of unauthorized
access to unsecured data can be extremely detrimental to the financial well-being of an organization. Data must be
protected from unauthorized access through security measures such as ID and Password protection. Finally data
can be encrypted so that even in the case of unauthorized access the viewed data is scrambled and unintelligible.
 Components of DSS

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Components of DSS: The Data Management Subsystem: the data management subsystem
includes a database that contains relevant data for the situation and is managed by software called
the database management system (DBMS). The data management subsystem can be interconnected
with the corporate data warehouse, a repository for corporate relevant decision making data. The
Model Management Subsystem: The model management subsystem is a software package that
includes financial, statistical, management science or other quantitative models that provides the
systems analytical capabilities and appropriate software management. This component can be
connected to corporate or external storage of models. The User Interface Subsystem: The user
communicates with and commands the DSS through the user interface subsystem. The user is
considered part of the system. The web browser provides a familiar, consistent graphical user
interface (GUI) structure for most DSS. Forlocally used DSS, a spreadsheet also provides a familiar
user interface. The Knowledge-Based Management Subsystem: The KMS can support any of
the other subsystems or act as an independent component. It provides intelligence to augment the
decision makers own. It can be interconnected with the organizations knowledge repository,
which is sometimes called the organizational knowledge base. Knowledge may be provided via
web servers.
Model Management Subsystem: 1. Model base : A collection of preprogrammed quantitative models
(e.g., statistical, financial, optimization) organized as a single unit. Contain routine and special statistical,
financial, forecasting, management science and other quantitative model that provide the analysis
capabilities in DSS. Four categories of models with the model base: Strategic models : Models that
represent problems for the strategic level (i.e., executive level) of management . Tactical models :
Models that represent problems for the tactical level (i.e., midlevel) of management. Operational
models : Models that represent problems for the operational level of management. Analytical models:
Mathematical models into which data are loaded for analysis. 2.Model building blocks: Preprogrammed
software elements that can be used to build computerized models. For example, a random-number
generator can be employed in the construction of a simulation model . Model components for building
DSS 3. Model base management system: MBMS software has four main functions : 1. Model creation,
using programming languages, DSS tools and/or subroutines, and other building blocks 2.Generation of
new routines and reports 3. Model updating and changing 4. Model data manipulation . 4. Model
directory: Catalogue of all model and other software in the model base. 5.Model execution is the process
of controlling the actual running of the model. Model integration involves combining the operations of
several models when needed. A model command processor is used to accept and interpret modeling
instructions from the user interface component and route them to the MBMS, model execution, or
integration functions .
 DSS Components
User Interface (Dialog) Subsystem

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User interface subsystem: User interface: The component of a computer system that cover communication between
the system/DSS/ any MSS and its user. 2. Management of the user interface subsystem: The user interface system
is managed by software called user interface management System (UIMS). 3.The user interface process : Users
interact with computer via action language processed by the UIMS. It enables to interact with DM and MM
subsystem. In advance system, user interface component includes, Natural language processor and Use object (
button) through GUI. DSS access is provided through web browsers (portal and dashboard) including: Portable
devices, Input through SMS, iPhones Application, Voice input and output, Personal Music player , Direct sensing
devices, Voice recognition, gesture interpretation, automated input (e.g., RFID chips, sensor networks), virtual
reality, artificial intelligence, telepresence etc.
Q2. Knowledge- Based Management System: The knowledge-based component can either supply required
expertise for solving some aspects of the decision problem or provide knowledge to enhance the operation of other
DSS components. As an example of the first benefit, an expert system could incorporate rules to help choose the best
routing for an aircraft so it arrives at a maintenance base just before its 400-hour service is due, eliminating the need
for an expensive, unproductive ferry flight. As an example of the second benefit, an expert system could figure out the
best order in which to process database accesses for a complex query.
Such a system can include expert systems, neural networks, intelligent agents, fuzzy logic, case-based reasoning, and
so on. Some instructors may wish to distinguish between the first three items in the list and the last two. Expert
systems, neural networks and intelligent agents are software tools. Fuzzy logic and case-based reasoning, by contrast,
can be considered useful concepts, which can be incorporated into tools of any type, rather than tools in their own
right.. The issue is really one of interpretation of the word tool. If it is taken to mean a software tool, it is appropriate
to exclude the last two items. If it is understood more generally, they should be included.
 A Web-Based DSS Architecture

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Q2. Web Based DSS Architecture: Processing is distributed over several servers in solving
analytical problems. Web Browser: to run programs on application server. Servers access data to
construct one or more models . Data may be provided by Data server that optionally extracts data
from data warehouses or legacy mainframe system. When user requires model to be optimized,
model populated with data sent to an optimization server. The Optimization server accesses
additional data from the data server (if needed), solves problem, and provide the solution directly
to the users web browser. Then reports are sent to manager by email or web portal.

Q 2. The H&W classifications map readily into those of the AIS SIGDSS, as follows: H&W text-
oriented DSS are the same as AIS SIGDSS document-driven DSS. H&W database-oriented DSS are
AIS SIGDSS data-driven DSS. H&W spreadsheet-oriented DSS are generally another form of AIS
model-driven DSS, in which spreadsheet facilities are used to create and manage models.
Because packages such as Excel can include a rudimentary DBMS or can readily interface with
one, they can handle some properties of an AIS SIGDSS database-oriented DSS, especially
manipulation of descriptive knowledge. H&W solver-oriented DSS map directly into AIS model-
driven DSS. H&W rule-oriented DSS include most AIS SIGDSS knowledge-driven DSS, data mining,
and management ES applications. H&W compound DSS integrates two or more of those cited
above and corresponds to the same AIS SIGDSS concept.