Module 7 - Business Information Systems

categories of decisions

- structures -semistructured -unstructured

intelligence phase

a decision maker examines the organization's environment for conditions that need decisions. Data is collected from a variety of sources (internal and external) and processed. From this information, the decision maker can discover ways to approach the problem.

forward chaining

a series of "if-then-else" condition pairs is performed.

knowledge acquisition facility

a software package with manual or automated methods for acquiring and incorporating new rules and facts so the expert system is capable of growth.

fuzzy logic

allows a smooth, gradual transition between human and computer vocabularies and deals with variations in linguistic terms by using a degree of membership.

executive information systems

are interactive information systems that give executives easy access to internal and external data and typically include "drill-down" features and a digital dashboard for examining and analyzing information.

artificial neural networks

are networks that learn and are capable of performing tasks that are difficult with conventional computers, such as playing chess, recognizing patterns in faces and objects, and filtering spam e-mail.

robots

are one of the most successful applications of AI. They perform well at simple, repetitive tasks and can be used to free workers from tedious or hazardous jobs.

genetic algorithms

are search algorithms that mimic the process of natural evolution. They are used to generate solutions to optimization and search problems using such techniques as mutation, selection, crossover, and chromosome.

intelligent agent

are software capable of reasoning and following rule-based processes; they are becoming more popular, especially in e-commerce.

management support systems

are the different types of information systems that have been developed to support certain aspects and types of decisions. Each type of MSS is designed with unique goals and objectives.

unstructured decisions

are typically one-time decisions, with no standard operating procedure pertaining to them.

group support systems

assist decision makers working in groups. These systems use computer and communication technologies to formulate, process, and implement a decision-making task and can be considered a kind of intervention technology that helps overcome the limitations of group interactions

groupware

assists groups in communicating, collaborating, and coordinating their activities. It is a collection of applications that supports decision makers by providing access to a shared environment and information.

geographic information system

captures, stores, processes, and displays geographic information or information in a geographic context, such as showing the location of all city streetlights on a map.

artificial intelligence

consists of related technologies that try to simulate and reproduce human thought behavior, including thinking, speaking, feeling, and reasoning. AI technologies apply computers to areas that require knowledge, perception, reasoning, understanding, and cognitive abilities.

major components of a decision support system

database, a model base, and a user interface.

managerial designer

defines the management issues in designing and using a DSS. These issues do not involve the technological aspects of the system; they are related to management's goals and needs.

electronic meeting systems

enable decision makers in different locations to participate in a group decision-making process.

technical designer

focuses on how the DSS is implemented and usually addresses questions about data storage, file structure, user access, response time, and security measures.

shopping and information agents

help users navigate through the vast resources available on the Web and provide better results in finding information. These agents can navigate the Web much faster than humans and gather more consistent, detailed information. They can serve as search engines, site reminders, or personal surfing assistants.

semistructured decisions

include a structured aspect that benefits from information retrieval, analytical models, and information systems technology.

model base

includes mathematical and statistical models that, along with the database, enable a DSS to analyze information.

digital dashboard

integrates information from multiple sources and presents it in a unified, understandable format, often as charts and graphs. It offers up-to-the minute snapshots of information and assists decision makers in identifying trends and potential problems.

phases in the decision making process

intelligence, design, and choice. A fourth phase, implementation, can be added.

case-based reasoning

is a problem-solving technique that matches a new case (problem) with a previously solved case and its solution, both stored in a database. After searching for a match, the CBR system offers a solution; if no match is found, even after supplying more information, the human expert must solve the problem

machine learning

is a process and procedure by which knowledge is gained through experience. In other words, computers learn without being explicitly programmed.

decision support system

is an interactive information system consisting of hardware, software, data, and models (mathematical and statistical) designed to assist decision makers in an organization.

soft robot

is made of elastomer, is simpler to make and less expensive and is used for an increasing number of applications.

knowledge base

is similar to a database, but in addition to storing facts and figures it keeps track of rules and explanations associated with facts.

inference engine

is similar to the model base component of a decision support system. By using different techniques, such as forward and backward chaining, it manipulates a series of rules.

model builder

is the liaison between users and designers. He or she is responsible for supplying information on what the model does, what data inputs it accepts, how the model's output should be interpreted, and what assumptions go into creating and using the model.

expert systems

mimic human expertise in a particular field to solve a problem in a well-defined area.

structured decisions

or programmable tasks, can be automated because a well-defined standard operating procedure exists for these types of decisions.

personal agents

perform specific tasks for a user, such as remembering information for filling out Web forms or completing email addresses after the first few characters are typed.

explanation facility

performs tasks similar to what a human expert does by explaining to end users how recommendations are derived.

contextual computing

refers to a computing environment that is always present, can feel our surroundings, and—based on who we are, where we are, and whom we are with—offers recommendations.

knowledge base management system (KBMS)

similar to a DBMS, is used to keep the knowledge base updated, with changes to facts, figures, and rules.

choice phase

the best and most effective course of action is chosen.

backward chaining

the expert system starts with the goal—the "then" part—and backtracks to find the right solution.

design phase

the objective is to define criteria for the decision, generate alternatives for meeting the criteria, and define associations between the criteria and the alternatives.

implementation phase

the organization devises a plan for carrying out the alternative selected in the choice phase and obtains the resources to implement the plan.

monitoring and surveillance agents

usually track and report on computer equipment and network systems to predict when a system crash or failure might occur.

natural language processing

was developed so users could communicate with computers in human language.

data-mining agents

work with a data warehouse, detecting trends and discovering new information and relationships among data items that were not readily apparent.