Part 2 - The Managerial Level of Information Systems: Decision Support Systems (DSS)

Now, we will review the second type of Managerial Level of information system, the Decision Support system or DSS.  DSS is a knowledge based system generally used by upper management to provide information to used within the company.  It reviews current data and analyzes it to assist managers in projecting possible results from decisions they might make.

These systems are very interactive and are used to solve problems or even run simulations by using information gleaned from TPS and/or MIS systems.  In some cases they could possibly use information from competing organizations or various vendors.  They take all the data to give information for proposed projects or analysis by means of reports, forecasts and even graphs.  Some possible examples of DSS systems are logistical systems or financial planning systems.

 

DSS systems are frequently used to back up projected paths that might not be the most sound as they have the ability to analyze data and make models.  Their primary focus is with predicting trends and outcomes.  For companies who are on the cutting edge of new products or new markets this would be a very important information system to utilize.