Group Decision Support Systems: Description and Evaluation of the Software Report

Introduction

Group Decision Support Systems (GDSS) are a class of “interactive computer-based systems” which is fundamentally a kind of collaboration technology effort designed to underpin meetings and group efforts. (Power 2005). GDSS is quite different from computer-supported cooperative work technologies as this is more oriented towards task support, whereas other computer support tools are more inclined towards the provision of general nature of communication support to users. “Participants use a common computer or network to enable collaboration” (Group decision support system, n.d).The main idea behind GDSS is to foster group decision-making and to work effectively as team making decisions through consensus and group interplays. It is also believed to be “a system that attempts to structure the group decision process in some way” (Group decision support system: What is a GDSS, n.d). Thus through GDSS process, both the speed and quality of decision-making gains impetus and boost, thus rendering the entire business processing more effective, efficient and worthwhile. Besides, GDSS also believes in “improving the performance of group meetings” (Nunamaker1989).The GDSS technology supports group decision making by: eliminating the barriers of communication,by offering different tools for a group and by managing the use of time and the handling of meeting items systematically” (Elfvengren 2002, p.5).

Currently available GDSS software

The main kinds of GDSS software available for users are, inter alia, “WinRar 3.3”, “Adobe Photoshop 7.0”, “Norton Security Scan 2.0”, “Nero Essentials 8.1”, “Music Manager 11.1”, “Data Studio 1.9” and so on. (GDSS software, 2010).These kinds of software are very interactive; afford the greatest degree of anti-virus and spam protection and safety and confidentiality of stored data. It has an integrated data management storage capacity that could handle large data. In the research studies of larger kind, “the integration of Spatio-temporal knowledge discovery techniques in the GDSS using a combination of data mining methods applied to geospatial time-series data” has proved very successful. (Dan Li et al., n.d, p.1).

Description of software

This is unique software of its kind and is mainly used in management of large data and also having several decision-makers. This facilitates joint decision-making and group efforts for reaching goals and objectives through consensus.

Functionality of software

GDSS could be used very successfully for data mining operations. Besides, it is very useful in health sectors also in the health sector, “Data for the GDSS and queries originate both internally and externally to the system. Raw data may be in image form and require extensive analysis by the decision-makers for information to be extracted from the raw data. Efforts also are made to relate financial and medical data for better business decisions” (Hatcher 1990).

Interoperability

GDSS is user-friendly and has major operability and interoperability advantages – it could be used on a wide area basis and is adaptive to local conditions and computer environments. Perhaps its wide versatility and use of friendliness make it stand out in major and critical computer operations on a global basis.

Usability

This has a wide range of private and public utilities. Perhaps the airline offices and hotels situated all over the world are major facilitators for GDSS technology and operating systems. “These include direct bookings to the hotel; hotel chains’ own reservation central offices; independent reservation agents; hotel representation and consortium groups; airline CRSs and GDSs; hotel aggregators (such as Hotels.com) and destination management systems” (ICT and e-hospitality, n.d, p.2).

Conclusion

In a shrinking communication and spatial computer world, GDSS software is indeed a boon that not only integrates massive data into a cohesive and well co-ordinated one, but also has a speed and efficient delivery system to boot.It is believed that in the days to come, a great deal of reliance would be placed on GDSS because of its innovative, unique, and user-friendly delivery systems. “GDSS isn’t new. The Executive Decision Centre at Queen’s University was set up in the summer of 1987 to facilitate the study of computer−based support for small groups in face−to−face meetings. But what is new is a resurgence of interest in the tools and techniques upon which GDSS is based” (Chapman 2003, p.1).

Reference List

Chapman, R., 2003. Support system redefines group decision-making. Information Highways, p.1. Web.

Dan Li, et al., n.d. Time-series data mining in a geospatial decision support system. Web.

Elfvengren, K., 2002. Group decision support system (GDSS): Possibilities, applications and benefits. Telecom Business Research Center, p.5. Web.

GDSS software, 2010. Software. Informer. Web.

Group decision support system, n.d. Academic Dictionaries and Encyclopedias. Web.

Group decision support system: What is a GDSS, n.d. Web.

Hatcher, M., 1990. Uniqueness of group decision support system (GDSS) in medical and health applications. Web.

ICT and e-hospitality, n.d. Download it, p.2. Web.

Nunamaker, J. F., 1989. Group decision support system (GDSS): Present and feature. Web.

Power, D., 2005. What is group decision support system (GDSS) how do GDSS work? DSS Resources. Web.