What is a Decision Support System?

Attention is now focusing on the use of sophisticated Decision Support Systems (DSS) as an invaluable tool in management decision making. This is a highly sophisticated, computer‐based information system which comprises a co‐ordinated collection of data models, reporting and analysis tools and supporting hardware and software. These enable an organisation to gather information from its business and the marketplace and turn that data into a basis for action. A particular set of skills and resources, both systems and people‐oriented, are required to implement a DSS. The hardware is universally available and the software is now beginning to appear. Both are becoming increasingly cheaper. This should enable many more companies to exploit decision‐making systems towards more effective management.