Executive Support System

Executive Support Systems (ESS) supply the necessary tools to senior management. The stopping points at this level of the company are usually never structured and could be described as educated guesses. Executives commit as much, if not more so, on external selective information than they do on data internal to their organization. Decisions mustiness be made in the context of the world outside the organization. The problems and situations senior executives face are very fluid, always changing, so the system must be flexible and easy to manipulate. The Role of ESS in the Organization Executives often face information overload and must be adequate to separate the chaff from the stalk in order to compensate the right decision. On the other hand, if the information they have is not detailed enough they may not be able to make the best decision. An ESS can supply the summarized information executives need and yet provide the opportunity to drill down to more detail if necessary. As applied science advances, ESS are able to link data from various sources both internal and external to provide the amount and kind of information executives find designful.As putting green software programs include more options and executives gain experience using these programs, theyre tour to them as an easy way to manipulate information. Many executives are also turning to the Web to provide the flexibility they need. Benefits of ESS As more executives come up through the ranks, they are more familiar with and rely more on technology to assist them with their jobs. Executive Support Systems dont provide executives with ready- made decisions.They provide the information that helps them make their decisions. Executives use that information, along with their experience, knowledge, education, and understanding of the corporation and the business environment as a whole, to make their decisions. Executives are more inclined to want summarized data rather than detailed data (ev en though the details must be available). ESS rely on graphic presentation of information because its a much quicker way for busy executives to grasp summarized information Simple for high-level executives to use trading operations do not require extensive computer experience Provides timely delivery of company summary information Provides better understanding of information Filters data for better time management Provides system for improvement in information tracking Disadvantages Computer skills required to obtain results Requires preparation and digest time to select desired information Detail oriented Provides detailed analysis of a situation Difficult to quantify benefits of DSS How do you quantify a better decision? Difficult to maintain database integrity Provides only moderate support of external data and graphics capabilities Examples of ESS The Sutter Home Winery uses mostly external data, including information from the Internet, in its ESS. It orga nizes the information in order to help executives make decisions based on trends in the marketplace. The information includes data on competitors and information from market research.Sutter uses its system production to determine sales forecasts, marketing campaigns, and investment plans. Managers at the Royal Bank of Canada are able to choose their own criteria (from among 15 choices) to drill down and journey data through easy-to-use interfaces. They dont have to accept data in formats chosen by someone else who may not understand individual managers needs. Data analysis is more timely because the information is quicker to obtain and more convenient than before. Characteristics of ESS Degree of use High, consistent, without need of technical assistance Computer skills required very(prenominal) low -must be easy to learn and use Flexibility High must fit executive decision making style Principle use Tracking, control Decisions supported Upper level management, unstruct ured Data supported Company internal and external Output capabilities Text, tabular, graphical, trend toward audio/video in future Graphic concentration High, presentation style Data access speed Must be high, fast responseESS Applications Manufacturing Medical Government monetary summary Executive Support Systems meet the needs of corporate executives by providing them with vast amounts of information quickly and in graphical form to help them make effective decisions. ESS must be flexible, easy to use, and contain both internal and external sources of information