Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
In addition to DSSs for managers, other systems use the same approach to support groups
and executives. A
group support system
includes the DSS elements just described as well as
software, called
groupware
, to help groups make effective decisions. An executive support
system, also called an
executive information system
, helps top-level managers, including a firm's
president, vice presidents, and members of the board of directors, make better decisions. An
executive support system can assist with strategic planning, top-level organizing and staffing,
strategic control, and crisis management.
Specialized Business Information Systems: Knowledge
Management, Artificial Intelligence, Expert Systems, and
Virtual Reality
In addition to TPSs, MISs, and DSSs, organizations often rely on specialized systems. Many
use
knowledge management systems (KMSs)
, an organized collection of people, procedures,
software, databases, and devices to create, store, share, and use the organization's knowledge
portation and logistics business.
In addition to knowledge management, companies use other types of specialized systems.
allow cars to communicate with each other using radio chips installed in their trunks. When
two or more cars move too close together, the specialized systems sound alarms and brake in
some cases. Some specialized systems are based on the notion of
artificial intelligence (AI)
,
in which the computer system takes on the characteristics of human intelligence. The field
of artificial intelligence includes several subfields (see Figure 1.14). Some people predict that
in the future we will have nanobots, small molecular-sized robots, traveling throughout our
bodies and in our bloodstream, keeping us healthy. Other nanobots will be embedded in
products and services, making our lives easier and creating new business opportunities.
artificial intelligence (AI)
A field in which the computer system
takes on the characteristics of
human intelligence.
A Nissan Motor Company car
swerves back into its lane on its own
shortly after it ran off the track
during a test of the Lane Departure
Prevention feature, which also
sounds a warning when the car
veers out of its lane.
(Source: Courtesy of AP Photo/
Katsumi Kasahara.)
Artificial Intelligence
Robotics is an area of artificial intelligence in which machines take over complex, dangerous,
routine, or boring tasks, such as welding car frames or assembling computer systems and
components. Vision systems allow robots and other devices to “see,” store, and process visual
images. Natural language processing involves computers understanding and acting on verbal
or written commands in English, Spanish, or other human languages. Learning systems allow
computers to learn from past mistakes or experiences, such as playing games or making
business decisions, and neural networks is a branch of artificial intelligence that allows com-
puters to recognize and act on patterns or trends. Some successful stock, options, and futures
traders use neural networks to spot trends and improve the profitability of their investments.
