Introducing Decision Support Systems

The advent of powerful yet user-friendly computer packages based on mathematical and logical models has enabled management tools (Decision Support Systems) to be made available more widely than ever before. These systems are defined as 'any computer-based system that helps managers to be better at tackling problems'.
Paul Finlay's book, now in its second edition, first establishes a framework for the use of decision support systems by providing a review of the nature of managerial work and of business problems, with particular emphasis on planning and control.
Few assumptions are made about the reader's prior knowledge.
Separate chapters on the tools, techniques and methodologies associated with each type of decision support system. The software packages that support these systems are also discussed.
This new edition is updated throughout. In particular there is a new chapter on the human-computer interface and the vital question of measuring the success of decision support systems is given full treatment.
Concludes with a discussion of the relationship between expert systems and decision support systems, and a brief look at future developments.
Introducing Decision Support Systems is aimed at advanced undergraduate and postgraduate students in schools of management, business studies and computing. It will also be extremely relevant to professionals dealing with decision support systems, e.g. accountants, managers and IT staff.