Post on 14-Apr-2018
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Executive InformationSystem
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Definition:
Executive Information System (EIS) is a
structured, automated tracking system that
operates continuously to keep managementabreast of what is happening in all important
areas. This tracking is accomplished by the
system itself without management effort.
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Why
Executive Information System (EIS) ?
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Information Needs
- More timely information
- Greater access to operational data- Greater access to corporate databases
- More concise, relevant information
- New or additional information
- More information about the external environment- More competitive information
- Faster access to external databases
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How to Find Executives Information Needs
- Interview all senior managers to determine what data they think
is most important.
- List the major objectives in the short- and long-term plans and
identify their information requirements.
- Ask the executives what information they would least like for
their competition to see.
- Determine what information from current management reportsis being used by the executives.
- Use prototyping
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EIS Improvements in Executive Job
Performance Ability
- Enhanced communications
- Greater ability to identify historic trends
- Improved executive effectiveness
- Improved executive efficiency
- Fewer meetings and less time spent in meetings
- Enhanced executive planning, organizing, and control
- More focused executive attention- Greater support for executive decision making
- Increased span of control
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Reasons for Using EIS
Reason Percentage of EIS Users
Decision making 50.0Scheduling 50.0
E-mail 43.8
Electronic briefing 37.5
Tickler and follow-up functions 31.3Other 6.3
Source: Nord and Nord [1996]
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EIS in the Persian Gulf WarThe Second Marine Aircraft wing had to plan its activities
in a fast-changing political and military environment. Thecommanding general and his staff of about 110 needed
large amounts of information, such as personnel
availability, logistics status, and weather conditions and
forecasts. Getting all this information via telephones and
paper reports was a slow and possibly inaccurate task.
Using RediMaster (from American Information Systems), a
local area network, and information downloaded from a
mainframe or PCs, and EIS was constructed that could
provide the commanders with the needed information inseconds. The EIS included e-mail, a calendar, word
processing, a spreadsheet, graphics software, and anything
else that could be used to support commanders.fast-
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Comparison of EIS and DSS
EIS DSS
Focus Status access, Analysis,
drill down decision support
Typical Users Top Executives Analysts,
professionals,
managers
Application Environmental Diversified areas
where
scanning, performance managerial
decisionsevaluation ident. of are made
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More on Comparison of EIS and DSS
EIS DSSPrinciple Use Tracking and Planning, organizing,
control, staffing and controlling
opportunity
identification
Dec. Support Indirect support Supports unstructured and
for unstructured semistructured dec. making,dec. making and and ad hoc decisions
policies
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EIS Characteristics
- Tracking and Control Tool- Excellent Graphics
- Very User-Friendly
- Provides Rapid Access to Current Information
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EIS Characteristics
- Problem Solving vs. Opportunity Assessment
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Representative EIS Software
Product VendorCommand Center Pilot Software
Commander Comsahre Inc.
EIS Tool Kit Easel Corp.
Executive Decisions IBM Corp.
Focus Channel Computing
LightShip Pilot Software
The SAS System SAS Institute Inc.
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Comshares Commander:
- Support for Multiple User Interfaces
- Multiple Methods for Locating Information
- Access to External Databases (e.g. Dow Jones News Retriveal)
- Interface to Other Software (Excel)
- Integrated Decision Support
- Screen Design Templates
- Security for Data, Screens and Systems- Support for Rapid Prototyping
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Research Issues
How can the benefits of an EIS be assessed in advance?How does the software used in building an EIS affect the
development process and system success?
What are the major EIS data management problems and their
solutions?How can EIS functionality be increased while maintaining its
ease of use?