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User-oriented criteria for the selection of DSS software

Authors:

Bernard C. Reimann,

Allan D. WarenAuthors Info & Claims

Communications of the ACM, Volume 28, Issue 2

Pages 166 - 179

https://doi.org/10.1145/2786.2790

Published: 01 February 1985 Publication History

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Abstract

Both the composition of the selection team and the choice of evaluation criteria should reflect the end-user orientation of DSS software.

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Cited By

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Splettstoesser DKimaro F(2017)Benefits of IT‐Based Decision‐Making in Developing CountriesThe Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries10.1002/j.1681-4835.2000.tb00017.x3:1(1-13)Online publication date: 5-Dec-2017
McHaney RWhite D(2016)Discrete Event Simulation Software Selection: An Empirical FrameworkSimulation & Gaming10.1177/104687819829200529:2(193-215)Online publication date: 18-Aug-2016
https://doi.org/10.1177/1046878198292005
Jadhav ASonar R(2011)Framework for evaluation and selection of the software packagesJournal of Systems and Software10.1016/j.jss.2011.03.03484:8(1394-1407)Online publication date: 1-Aug-2011
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1016/j.jss.2011.03.034
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Reviews

Reviewer: Warren S. Hoffman

Selection of decision support software for end users from the large number of types on the market is difficult. Vendors describe their packages in similar terms, but there are substantial differences in features, user friendliness, vendor support, and cost. Yet a choice must be made, hopefully one which will provide a stable base for an extended time period. The investment in applications of DSS software, especially in user expertise, makes conversion a costly and painful affair. The article focuses on selection of mainframe-scale packages for modeling problems larger than microcomputer tools can handle. Typical applications include projections over time of sales, costs, earnings, and financial factors across dimensions such as products, markets, locations, and distribution channels. A complete checklist of selection criteria is the starting point for discussions on important points. It is not, however, a cookbook] Samples of major topics include: :9B Modeling: multidimensional and consolidation features, nonprocedurality, simultaneous equations, built-in and user-defined functions, time dimensions. User Friendliness: syntax, documentation, prompts and provision of an “expert level” model, data entry. Analysis: “What if,” sensitivity analysis, goal seeking, risk analysis. Data Management: Supporting file system, security. Communications: Data interchange with other packages. Other topics include data interchange with other packages, reporting and graphics, vendor support, cost (acquisition and operating), and hardware and software considerations. Samples are shown of specifications, inputs, and outputs of several packages, along with a list of about 50 packages. Evaluations of specific packages on the criteria discussed are not offered. The authors note that current microcomputers lack the memory and computational power for large problems. There will always be a gap between mainframe and microcomputer technologies. An analytical approach which helps identify appropriate use of each technology, along the lines of this article, would be valuable. This article is very well written. It can be understood without prior knowledge of the field. This type of article would be of maximum value if it appeared early in the life cycle of a class of packages. A similar article on inquiry and reporting packages would also be of use.

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Published In

Communications of the ACM Volume 28, Issue 2

Feb. 1985

78 pages

ISSN:0001-0782

EISSN:1557-7317

DOI:10.1145/2786

Editor:
Peter J. Denning
NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA

Issue’s Table of Contents

Permission to make digital or hard copies of all or part of this work for personal or classroom use is granted without fee provided that copies are not made or distributed for profit or commercial advantage and that copies bear this notice and the full citation on the first page. Copyrights for components of this work owned by others than ACM must be honored. Abstracting with credit is permitted. To copy otherwise, or republish, to post on servers or to redistribute to lists, requires prior specific permission and/or a fee. Request permissions from [email protected]

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Association for Computing Machinery

New York, NY, United States

Publication History

Published: 01 February 1985

Published in CACM Volume 28, Issue 2

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McHaney RWhite D(2016)Discrete Event Simulation Software Selection: An Empirical FrameworkSimulation & Gaming10.1177/104687819829200529:2(193-215)Online publication date: 18-Aug-2016
https://doi.org/10.1177/1046878198292005
Jadhav ASonar R(2011)Framework for evaluation and selection of the software packagesJournal of Systems and Software10.1016/j.jss.2011.03.03484:8(1394-1407)Online publication date: 1-Aug-2011
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1016/j.jss.2011.03.034
Jadhav ASonar R(2009)Evaluating and selecting software packagesInformation and Software Technology10.1016/j.infsof.2008.09.00351:3(555-563)Online publication date: 1-Mar-2009
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Levin M(2005)Modular system synthesisIEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics, Part C: Applications and Reviews10.1109/TSMCC.2004.84006535:4(544-553)Online publication date: 1-Nov-2005
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Harrison P(2002)Product-forms from a CAT and DOGACM SIGMETRICS Performance Evaluation Review10.1145/605521.60553730:3(41-43)Online publication date: 1-Dec-2002
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Samios CVernon M(2002)Modeling throughput in TCP vegasACM SIGMETRICS Performance Evaluation Review10.1145/605521.60553230:3(26-28)Online publication date: 1-Dec-2002
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Baryshnikov YCoffman EJelenković PMomčilović PRubenstein D(2002)Flood search under the California split strategyACM SIGMETRICS Performance Evaluation Review10.1145/605521.60552830:3(15-16)Online publication date: 1-Dec-2002
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