DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DSS, MIS & EIS
With the exposure to all the above information systems, let us
find out the differences between DSS and MIS. Table-1 enlists some basic
differences between Decision Support System, Management Information
Systems and Executive Information
System. As the name implies, the later two are the systems that provide
information that may or may not be used for making a decision whereas the
support information provided for deciding on the policy, planning or implementation
is the basic component of DSS.
Let us find out the characteristics of the three systems :
DSS (DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEM) :
- DSS generally provide support for unstructured, or
semi-structured decisions (decisions that cannot be described in detail).
- DSS problems are often characterized by incomplete or
uncertain knowledge, or the use of qualitative data.
- DSS will often include modelling tools in them, where various
alternative scenarios can be modeled and compared.
- Investment decisions are an examples of those that might be
supported by DSS
MIS (MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS) :
- MIS is generally more sophisticated reporting systems built on
existing transaction processing systems
- Often used to support structured decision making (decisions that
can be described in detail before the decision is made)
- Typically will also support tactical level management, but
sometimes are used at other levels
- Examples of structured decisions supported by MIS might include
deciding on stock levels or the pricing of products.
