Executive Info Sys

7/30/2019 Executive Info Sys

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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?

Executive Info Sys

Documents

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