An effective database formation for decision support systems

Abstract

Managers' tasks have two aspects: to monitor (control) business activities and to plan the future based upon the monitored results. Thus a decision Support System (DSS) must have two kinds of databases appropriate for its needs. A management database, i.e., one for monitoring activities, is constructed mainly from the existing operational databases. A data cube should be employed for the logical data structure of the management database so that managers can share it and access it in multiple ways. Planning databases, i.e., those for planning activities, are constructed mostly from the management database. A table form should be employed for its logical data structure so that managers will find it easy to use. The management and planning databases should be connected through DSS's system architecture [1]. This makes the operational data (indicating business activities) directly and immediately available for management decision making. We have previously presented the DSS architecture. This paper discusses the management and planning databases from the viewpoint of it.