COMPONENTS OF DSS

Components of DSS include the following
1. DSS Database:
DSS requires a database of its own. It can use data in organizational database. But this
will slow down the application. There is also a risk of DSS applications modifying data in
the organizational database. Hence, DSS generally uses data from its own database built up
from transaction data drawn from organizational database and other relevant data collected
from outside.
2. Model base:
It contains a collection of mathematical and analytical models that the DSS user may
want to analyze the data. Each DSS is designed for a specific purpose such as firefighting,
diagnostics, oil exploration etc. Hence, the models in the model base will vary from DSS to
DSS. Generally, it contains statistical models, optimization models, forecasting models etc.
3. The Hardware:
DSS requires hardware to provide the capability to the users to interact with the database
and models using DSS applications.
4. The User interface:
The user interface of DSS supports the interaction between the user and the data using the
models.
5. Analysis tools:
These include many tools which can be used at any level of management. The tools used
at the three levels of management in an organization are as follows:

• DSS Tools for operational Management

The operational management level requires assistance for day to day operations. The
areas where DSS can support operational management include:
· Material requirement planning
· Linear programming
· Queuing theory
· Analysis of variance
· Correlation analysis
· Descriptive statistics like mean, median etc.,

• DSS Tools for Tactical Planning and Management Control:

· Dynamic programming
· Regression analysis
· Correlation analysis
· Factor analysis
· Multidimensional Scaling
· Game theory
· Discriminate analysis
· Non-linear programming
· Network analysis

• DSS Tools for Strategic Planning:

· Expert systems
· Natural language systems