FACULTY OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

AND MULTIMEDIA COMMUNICATION

SEMESTER September/ 2013

CBSS4103

Decision Support System

NAME : CHOONG SZE TSHIUNG

MATRICULATION NO : 900108135083001

IDENTITY CARD NO : 900108135083

TELEPHONE NO : 0168770221

E-MAIL : [email protected]

LEARNING CENTRE : SARAWAK LEARNING CENTRE

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

CONTENT PAGES

Table of Content

1.0 Introduction 3

2.0 The issues of Group Decision Support System 4

3.0 Conclusion 13

4.0 Reference 14

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1.0 Introduction

According to the explanation from Dennis, George, Jessup, nunamaker, & Vogel (1988),
Decision support system (DSS) is known as a system that provides facilities to problem-
solving and communication in semi-structured problem solving. Besides, DSS also
support the managers to solve the semi-structured problems and give effective and
efficient suggestions related to specific decision. Group decision support system (GDSS)
is known as technologies support project collaboration through the enhancement of
information communication and technologies (ICT) with various tools and resources.
With the benefits of GDSS, it helps and supports a group of decision maker in term of
designing, structuring or modeling the required outcomes in any organizations. For
example, specialist surgeons in Australia need not be in Malaysia to perform surgery as it
can be done by using the technology of group decision support system (GDSS). The
communication can be made without moving them to Malaysia country, it is effective and
efficiently.

Besides, Oladipo, O. Francisca, Onyesolu, M. Okechukwu, Amadi & C. Faith (2012)

explained that the unstructured problems can be solved in effective and efficient when
using GDSS in making decision. This is because; GDSS is taking inputs from multiple
users interacting simultaneously with system to arrive at a decision as a group, save time
and cost at the same time. GDSS is known as a computer-based system which allows a
group of individuals to corporate to achieve one aim by providing an interface which use
the surroundings that are shared together. Furthermore, M. Aiken, M. Vanjani & J. Krosp
(1995) explained that GDSS requires some important components to setup. These useful
components are hardware, software, organization ware and people. Hardware is any
things that can touch and see, such as computer, printers, telecommunication facilities
and audiovisual equipment. Software supports the general information processing, such
as Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop and Electronic Meeting System. Organization
data, information, ideas, management process area the organization ware. People include
a group of decision maker, participants and the supporting staff who take place in the
group’s activities.

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2.0 The issues of Group Decision Support System

According to the explanation from Ronald M..B (1993), there are main issues occur in the
uses of group decision support system. Among the issues that caused by the Group
Decision Support System are:

 The cost of maintenance is very high

 The weakness of communication signal
 GDSS lack of verbal communication

(A) Cost of maintenance is very high

Firstly, Jayant. K.O. (2009) expressed that the problem or issue of the Group Decision
Support System (GDSS) is the cost of maintenance is very high.. With the benefits of
information communication and technology (ICT), GDSS has brought a lot of advantages
to this modern world, such as in education field and business environment. GDSS
requires high performance of technologies to setup. For example, when a group of
decision makers in Malaysia, they are using the computer conferencing or video
conferencing and communicate with a group of decision makers whose in Korea Country.
By using the computer conferencing or video conferencing, these two groups of decision
makers do not need to meet at the same place at the same time; it is effectively and
efficiently than the transitional discussion meeting. Video conferencing is a wonderful
interaction tools which is the combination of computing, video, audio and
communication technologies that enables individuals or a group of participant to
communication which same as face to face but using computer.

It is requires high performance hardware and software to configure the computer

conferencing, so that the process can be booted accordingly. The types of hardware to be
used in computer conferencing are computers, printers, speakers, and microphone and
display tools. Besides, groupware is the software uses in the computer conferencing or
video conferencing to process. Without software, the computer conferencing or video

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conferencing cannot process even have the highest performance of computer
components?

ICT is updated continuously nowadays, the hardware and software apply in the GDSS
also need maintenance to keep up-to-date at the same time. If the organization does not
upgrade their hardware and software, the performance of GDSS by using video
conferencing will be directly affected. It is because the performance of the Group
Decision Support System (GDSS) is depended on the hardware and software that used to
support it. Thus, the decision makers can get the messages and information clearly in
their discussion when applying GDSS with highest performance of technologies.

Ronald M..B (1993) also explained that the cost of maintenance the hardware and
software is very as compared to others technologies, such e-mail or whiteboard.
Nowadays, the processor of computer is very costly in i3, i5 and i7 processor chipset. The
lowest processor is i3, but i3 processor chipset of computer may cost around RM1700
until RM 2000. The computer with i5 processor chipset may cost around RM2000 until
RM 2500 and the computer with i7 may cost RM 2700 until RM 3200 or above. It is
because the i7 processor chipset of computer is the latest and faster performance in this
modern world.

Nevertheless, to purchase software is also expensive. The price of software may around
RM 1500 until RM3000 or above which is depended on the type of software. Some
software is costly because it contents a lot of tools or development which are difference
from others software or only that software has the benefits. This can bring an issue or
problem to an organization or decision maker when using GDSS to make decision and
problem solving.

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Suggest appropriate technology: Chatting tools

According to the explanation from Dennis.A.R., George.J.F., Jessup.L.M., Nunamaker

Jr.J.F., & Vogel. (1988), there is a technology can be used to overcome the issue or
problem of the cost of maintenance is very high is applying chatting tools. Chatting tools
have become the most popular communication technology in the modern world. It allows
the users to share their information or data over the whole world. Some of the popular
chatting tools are FACEBOOK, Skype, Yahoo Massager, Twitter and others.

FACEBOOK (www.facebook.com) or Skype(www.skype,com) can be used to replace

the video conferencing which is less costly. It is because these chatting tools do not need
a very high performance of computer hardware to perform it. As long as a computer has
webcam, audio output (speaker), input device (microphone), and printer to printer out the
important document which share by other decision makers from others places or
countries. Decision maker who poor in speaking skill, they can just type messages and
send to his or her receiver or group of receivers. Besides, these chatting tools not only can
send messages but graphics and even though using webcam interaction which same as
video conferencing. By using the chatting tools, the cost of maintenance the GDSS can be
reduce effectively.

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(B) The weakness of communication signal

Next, Jayant. K.O. (2009) also believed that one of the issues or problems of the Group
Decision Support System (GDSS) is the weakness of communication signal. The
advantages of GDSS have made an increasing in evaluating, decision making, education
field and planning which communication with others participants over the whole world.
Businessmen save time and cost to travel and dueling with their clients or customers or
partners. To setup or build a communication by using GDSS, a network connection or
communication signal is needed to make connection throughout all the countries.
Network is a telecommunication which allows people to exchange or sharing data and
information over network. There are many types of networks or communication signal
used in the GDSS to make communication. These networks are telephone line, Internet,
Ethernet, Satellite, LAN (Local Area Network), MAN (Metropolitan Area Network) and
WAN (Wide Area Network). Without network the GDSS technology cannot be
processed.

The GDSS technology can directly affect by the communication signal. It is because the
communication signal which applied in the GDSS is strong, the effective the decision
makers or a group of participants to exchange or sharing their data and information. On
the other hand, M. Aiken, M. Vanjani & J. Krosp (1995) expressed that the
communication signal applied in GDSS is weak or low connection signal, the whole
communication of GDSS with be directly affect, an unclear information or data is
occurred and negative decision is made with not accurate information or data received.
For example, in the education field, a tutor is using the technology of Group Decision
Support System (GDSS) to share his or her knowledge with their online leaders. If the
communication signal or network connection of the group of online leaders or individual
is low, they cannot receive the right knowledge or important information from the tutor, a
misunderstanding situation will occur.

In the business field, when a manager tries to make an effective and efficient in decision
planning in developing, he or she uses GDSS technology to communicate with his or her
partners or a group of decision makers or other department managers. Using GDSS in
sharing data or information with a group of participants from other places or counties is

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efficiently, save time and cost at the same time. But, the weakness of communication
signal can affect this communication process and the whole quality of decision making
will process a negative decision is made at the decision process. For example, a manager
needs the accurate data or information from his or her Finance Manager and Marketing
Manager to make a budgeting planning to increase the organization operation. He or she
is using GDSS and communicate with both managers from different places, so that they
do not need to meet each other face to face. An effective budgeting planning can be made
if the manager receives the accurate and clear data or information from both Finance
Manager and Marketing Manager. However, a low budgeting planning will be produced
when the communication signal is too poor in using GDSS. During communication signal
is low, the virtual vision is unclear, sound output with noise, and data or information is
missing in transmission.

Lastly, M. Aiken, M. Vanjani & J. Krosp (1995) believed that applying a good
communication signal or network is very essential when making decision by using GDSS
technology. It is because the whole decision making process will be directly affect
seriously.

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Suggest appropriate technology: UniFi

According to the explanation from C. Ellis, S. Gidds & G. Rein (1991), there is one of the
good technologies to overcome this weakness of communication signal. This technology
is UniFi Internet connection network. UniFi connection network has the fastest speed and
high frequency to transmit and receiving data and information over network throughout
the whole world.

Applying UniFi connection network in the Group Decision Support System (GDDS), the
issue or problem of weakness in communication signal can be avoided. This UniFi
technology is connected using optical fiber core network. Not only for individual but
benefits in organization or city. The coverage area is very wide and with very strong
signal to transmit.

For example, majorly the GDSS in business environment is using teleconferencing to

make a decision with a group of decision makers or expertise from different places and
different time zone. With the benefits of UniFi technology, the problem of delay, low
connection and other network connection issues can be solved and make the discussion
process flow effectively and efficiently.

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(C) GDSS is lack of verbal communication

Lastly, the issue or the problem of Group Decision Support System (GDSS) is lack of
verbal communication during discussion. This is very serious issue or problem face by
every participants take an important part in making decision. It is because writing or
typing communication is different meaning when using verbal communication. A simple
word or a simple sentence in writing communication may have different meaning which
presents using verbal communication.

For example, a participant or a manager or a decision maker, he or she type or write his
or her ideas on the whiteboard. A whiteboard in one of the application tools that common
used in GDSS technology. It allows all the participants or a group of decision makers to
write and draws diagram on it, and then all participants or decision makers can access and
store the important ideas into a disk as reference. At this situation occur,
misinterpretation may occur at the same time. The ideas only present in writing or
drawing without give clear explain by using verbal communication. Argument and
misunderstand may be occur and bring a negative effect in making decision.

Moreover, C. Ellis, S. Gidds & G. Rein (1991) expressed that body language cannot be
transformed to the receivers or a group of decision makers where there is no verbal
communication present in GDSS. Movement and voice pitch, volume and speed as part
of the body language which can directly bring the accurate meaning of what are the
speaker or manager in their presentation. If applying GDSS which is lack of verbal
communication, some of the important body language cannot be seen, words cannot
present the real emotion of the manager or sender to his or her receivers,
misinterpretation will occur at the same time.

According to the explanation from M. Aiken, M. Vanjani & J. Krosp (1995), GDSS is a
technology which allows a group of participants to make discussion and making effective
and efficiently decision to improve the quality of management. However, lack of verbal
communication in presenting the ideas has brought the negative feedback to the

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performance of the management or planning. Besides, ideas that present in writing or
diagram cannot get fully attention by the group of participants or decision makers. During
presentation, the situation is silent and make bored at the same time. It is because there is
no voice or verbal communication in between the group of decision makers or
participants. At this situation happen, there may some of the important ideas will be
ignored by other and the performance and quality of the decision making is affected.

Oladipo, O. Francisca, Onyesolu, M. Okechukwu, Amadi & C. Faith (2012) expressed

that the Finance Manager may present the organization annual financial report by using
various types of graph and tables in GDSS. The whole presentation of will cover words
and diagrams or graphs, other decision makers or participants may not pay attention on
his or her presentation. If the Planning Manager does not pay attention on the
presentation made by Finance Manager, then the result of his or her budget planning may
not effective and efficient, seriously will make the organization facing profit loss on
business operation. Verbal communication also takes an essential part in GDSS when
making decision.

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Suggest appropriate technology: Teleconferencing

According to Ronald M..B (1993), there is a suggested technology which can be used to
solve the problem of lack of verbal communication in GDSS. This kind of technology is
known as teleconferencing. Teleconferencing is a technology which has combination of
audio and video conferencing. In the same hand, it is combination of both verbal and
non-verbal communication, so the whole process of presentation can be flowed
effectively. At the same time, create an effective and powerful decision making which
helps in enhancing the organization operation.

Teleconferencing has the same function with face to face discussion but teleconferencing
is using monitor or display devices as a virtual vision. Each of the decision makers or
participants can clearly get the ideas present by each other and also their body language
at the same time. There is more understanding and misinterpretation situation and be
avoided. The bored situation also be solved and all individual involved can pay attention
during discussion.

For example, a Marketing Manager can present his or her ideas or data in video type and
writing type, as well as with verbal communication to explain more details. He or she can
present the latest market needs form the video that capture before discuss using GDSS.

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3.0 Conclusion

Group Decision Support System (GDSS) is known as computer-based system which

allows group of individuals or decision maker to corporate. This wonderful technology
(GDSS) enables people to make discussion with people who in different places or at
different time. GDSS allows a group of decision makers to share data or information,
make discussion, decision making and communication. Using GDSS can help to save a
lot of time and cost; it is very effective and efficient technology.

However, it also contains some issues or problem which can directly affect the whole
decision making process. Firstly, the cost of maintenance is very high when using GDSS.
Mostly, GDSS is using computer conferencing to make discussion and decision making
with a group of decision makers at different countries or places or different time. A
computer conferencing is needed high performance of hardware and software to set up.
The maintenance cost to repair or purchase a new hardware or software is costly.

A chatting tool can help to overcome this issue of GDSS. Chatting tool does not need a
very high performance of hardware or software, and it have the same technology with
computer conferencing, such as chatting tool has video call. Chatting tools like
FACEBOOK and Skype. Next, the second issue is the weakness of communication
signal. Communication signal can directly affect the quality of decision making during
discussion by using GDSS. The low communication signal may course system delay or
data lose.

Applying UniFi network connection can help to solve the weakness of communication
signal. UniFi has high speed and frequency in transmitting data and information over
network, and it coverage a wide area. Lastly, the issue of GDSS is lack of verbal
communication. Lack of verbal communication in GDSS can lead to misinterpretation
and a bored situation is created. Participants do not pay enough attention during
discussion. Teleconferencing is a technology helps to solve this lack of verbal
communication in GDSS. Using teleconferencing, all the participants or decision makers
can listen and get the body language of the presenters. Misinterpretation can be avoided
at the same time and an effective and efficient decision can be made.

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4.0 Reference

C. Ellis, S. Gidds & G. Rein (1991). Groupware: some issues and experiences.
Communications of the ACM, Vol. 34 No.1, 1991, pp. 38-58.

Dennis.A.R., George.J.F., Jessup.L.M., Nunamaker Jr.J.F., & Vogel. (1988). Information

Technology to Support Electronic Meetings. MIS Quarterly (12:4). Pp. 591-624.

Jayant. K.O. (2009). Management Information Systems. Nitali Prakashan. Abhyudaya

Pragati.

M. Aiken, M. Vanjani & J. Krosp (1995). Group decision support systems. Review of
business. Vol. 16(3), 1995. 38-42.

Oladipo, O. Francisca, Onyesolu, M. Okechukwu, Amadi & C. Faith. (2012).

Implementing amodel of virtual collaborative planning system. Department of Computer
Science, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria. International Journal of Science
and Technology, Volume 2 No.8.2012.

Ronald M..B (1993). Readings in Groupware and Computer-supported Cooperative

Work: Assisting Human-human Collaboration. USA. Morgan Kaufmann.

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