Page 95 -

94 Part I • Decision Making and Analytics: An Overview

area of different areas or organizations. Therefore, it makes sense to build generic DSS
that can be used (sometimes with modifications) in several organizations. Such DSS
are called ready-made and are sold by various vendors (e.g., Cognos, MicroStrategy,
Teradata). Essentially, the database, models, interface, and other support features are
built in: Just add an organization’s data and logo. The major OLAP and analytics vendors
provide DSS templates for a variety of functional areas, including finance, real estate,
marketing, and accounting. The number of ready-made DSS continues to increase
because of their flexibility and low cost. They are typically developed using Internet
technologies for database access and communications, and Web browsers for interfaces.
They also readily incorporate OLAP and other easy-to-use DSS generators.
One complication in terminology results when an organization develops an
institutional system but, because of its structure, uses it in an ad hoc manner. An organi-
zation can build a large data warehouse but then use OLAP tools to query it and perform
ad hoc analysis to solve nonrecurring problems. The DSS exhibits the traits of ad hoc
and institutional systems and also of custom and ready-made systems. Several ERP, CRM,
knowledge management (KM), and SCM companies offer DSS applications online. These
kinds of systems can be viewed as ready-made, although typically they require modifica-
tions (sometimes major) before they can be used effectively.

sectiOn 2.10 revieW QuestiOns

1. List the DSS classifications of the AIS SIGDSS.
2. Define document-driven DSS.
3. List the capabilities of institutional DSS and ad hoc DSS.
4. Define the term ready-made DSS.

2.11 coMPonents of Decision suPPort systeMs
A DSS application can be composed of a data management subsystem, a model man-
agement subsystem, a user interface subsystem, and a knowledge-based management
subsystem. We show these in Figure 2.4.

Other Internet,
computer-based intranet,
systems extranet
Data: external
and/or internal

ERP/POS Data Model External
management management models

Legacy Knowledge-based
subsystems

Web, etc.
User
interface

Organizational Manager (user)
Knowledge Base
figure 2.4 Schematic View of DSS.

M02_SHAR9209_10_PIE_C02.indd 94 1/25/14 7:45 AM