PC WEEKNAPPLICATION DEVELOPMENT

[APRIL 24, 1989

APPLIED INTELLIGENCE

ES Helps Managers Gain Insight into Factors for Success

Lam s an executive to | databases on the host. In some cases, ic-mail facility-An-executive can use the
s —Oa<5<—— 4 pašne k NE RNA "Dril down" sup- data is downloaded to the micro to en- keyboard to type a message or select a
z a ei kij a 4 a ortečine Tepabili to view supporting Sure guick response time. In those cases,  preformatted message from a list of

uti sei | the data is refreshed on demand or as a  choices. The message can be sent elec-
sojin se spi detaled numbers lo V EN Pot batch job on the host. tronically, together with a copy of the
Kadi ( EIS Yi ucts as a hierarchy (or layering) of The software used to build an EIS ap- report or graph being viewed by the ex-
decision-support reports. plication takes full advantage of the mi-  ecutive, to another executive in the
systems ( DSS)— An EIS program can connect an exec- crocomputer's graphic and color capabil- company.
technologies that  utive to internal and external data | ities. Icons are used extensively for For executives who wish to sti their
enable erecu- sources. Most EIS software provides menu-driven systems and function- key own ad hoc gueries of corporate data-
tives to gain di- links to Dow Jones News Retrieval. choices. Dependence on the keyboard is bases and their own analysis, EIS soft:
rect access to in- Links to other industry-specific data minimized through use of a touch-screen ware provides links to other applica-
formation. sources can be built. Some EIS products or a mouse. tions. These links range from access to
The competi- include interfaces to office-automation An EIS application provides the man- decision-support databases to download-
Mi ARTIN |. tiveness and sur- software for transmission of electronic ager with access to information in both ing data into Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheets.
a Ee vival of the cor- messages and interfaces to the vendor s phic and report formats. Reports Generally, executives delegate this type
poration of the decision-support tool for viewing data in (and their formats) are oe of analysis to their statis.
future will depend on effective use of Olea MI EN | OBE oš RE ŠE — ———, The two major players in the current
information. Innovative managers are SRN PORE PE PREJA: 3 ii ki ti EIS marketplace are Commander El1S,

aware of how computers, networks,
workstations, CD ROMSs, touch-screens
and so on can enable executives to ac-
cess information directly and make bet:
ter decisions. By using these technolo-
gies, decision makers gain access to
worldwide databases, computer power
and versatile decision-support sof tware. .
"software < designed for executives. These...
systems are also referred to as execu-
tive decision support and, more recently,
executive support, systems (ESS). The
concept continues to be redefined as the
technology changes.
— Simply stated, an EIS is a computer-
based system designed for executives to
gain insight into and to keep track of
critical success factors via easy-to-use
interfaces. An EIS should be able to in- .
corporate the unigue decision-making
style of an executive and supply the in-.
formation necessary to monitor the ex- '
. ecutive s critical success factors in a
timely and accurate fashion.

Many executives, of course, have their
apprehensions about using computer
systems. Some have a phobia about key-
boards, which is why most EIS applica-
tions use a mouse or a touch-sereen as
the user interface. Perhaps the most im-
portant aspect in its acceptability is
how well an EIS can suit the work style
of individual executives.

Vendors of EIS products are produc-

from Comshare Inc., and Command Cen-
ter, from Pilot. Executive Software. Oth-
er DSS software vendors also offer a
configuration of their software that can
be used to build EIS applications. These
vendors include Information Resources
and Computer Associates.

The success or failure of an EIS is
more than a function of the manage-

— ment support, and'the power and
friendliness of the software. Too often,
EIS success depends on the guality of
the data stored on the host, and the
massaging and filtering reguired before
the data is consistent and "correct."

A first-step EIS might be one that pro-
duces the same graphs and reports the
executive is used to seeing. The execu-
tive might feel that the interface and
the "drill-down" feature make it easier
to review the information but are hard-
ly worth the considerable time and ex-
pense associated with EIS applications.
A critical success factor for the EIS is to
support the next step—a strategically
important application.

Implementing a successful EIS is not
simple. It reguires a large investment of
time and money, constant support from
top management, a dedicated and com-
petent implementation team, and ongo-
ing entancement reguirements. Resis-

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ma systems that are easier to use and . Di čji He VL A VI s | aa Not ali EIS applications have been
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systems creasingly ac- 9ns have been successful. manag
ceptable to a new generation of execu: — AM EIS should RO DOO the unigue decision making st t He ea za Compalles vih suocesstul EIS
tives who are not as computer-phobic as SU applications consider them worth tl |
their prede sa — oj an executive and supply the information necessary to  vestment. Despite the ovna praši
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how se o ompote a polne monitor the executive s critical success Jactors accu diticulties, the executive sponsors of.
ozki managed. Daily | NE ER Ne] H ona the systems recognize the benefits: the
toring of business functions is now ——— ability to make better decisi
Ojla edia pti react faster to changes in the business.
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