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Book Contents
Glossary Contents
Decision Support Systems Glossary by D. J. Power
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I
- Icon
- A visual, graphic representation of an object, word, or concept.
- Independent Variables
- Variables in a model that are controlled by the environment and that influence the results of a decision (also called Input Variables, parameters, givens).
- Industry-Specific DSS
- A computer-based system that helps a manager accomplish a specific task in a specific industry environment like banking or hospitals.
- Inference
- Inference is the process of drawing a conclusion from given evidence. It means to reach a decision by reasoning.
- Inference Engine
- That part of an expert system that actually performs the reasoning function.
- Information
- Data that has been processed to add or create meaning and hopefully knowledge for the person who receives it. Information is the output of information systems.
- Information Economics
- This term refers to an approach to evaluating DSS/IS projects using a scoring approach to cost/benefit analysis that assesses technical and company tangible and intangible benefits and costs (see Parker, Trainor and Benson, Information Strategy and Economics, 1989.
- Information Systems Architecture
- A formal definition of the business processes and rules, systems structure, technical framework, and product technologies for business information systems. An information systems architecture consists of four layers: business process architecture, systems architecture, technical architecture, and product delivery architecture.
- Interdependent Decisions
- A series of decisions that are interrelated. A sequential set of decisions are usually interdependent.
- Internet
- The Internet (capitalized) refers specifically to the DARPA Internet and the TCP/IP protocols it uses. The Internet is a collection of packet-switching networks and routers that uses the TCP/IP protocol suit and functions as a single, cooperative virtual network. A global web connecting more than one million computers. Visit URL http://www.w3.org/, The World Wide Web Consortium, and http://www.wdvl.com/Internet/About.html, The Web Developers Virtual Library, for more information about the Internet.
- Inter-Organizational DSS
- A DSS that serves a company's stakeholders including customers or suppliers. An Inter-Organizational DSS provides stakeholders with access to a company's intranet and authority or privileges to use specific DSS capabilities. Companies can make a Data-Driven DSS available to suppliers or a Model-Driven DSS available to customers to design a product or choose a product.
- Intranet
- An internal organizational network using TCP/IP with at least one web server that is only accessible by an organization's members or others who have specific authorization. A firewall and password protection limit access to the network. The intranet is used to share corporate information, including DSS capabilities. See web based DSS at http://dssresources.com/dss/online.html and check the Intranet FAQ at http://www.intrack.com/intranet/ifaq.shtml.
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