1. Copyright © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. Improving Productivity with the Help of Computers and Technology Areas of concern for a business include decision making, communications, sales, recruiting and training employees, and business software applications Making smart decisions –Three different applications can help to improve and speed the decision-making process for people at different levels within an organization Decision support system (DSS) is a type of computer program that provides relevant data and information to help a firm’s employees make decisions Executive information system (EIS) is a computer-based system that facilitates and supports the decision-making needs of top managers and senior executives An expert system is a type of computer program that uses artificial intelligence 16 | 1

2. Copyright © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. Improving Productivity with Computers Helping employees communicate –E-mail—provides virtually instantaneous communication –Groupware—software that facilitates the management of large projects among geographically dispersed employees as well as such group activities as problem solving and brainstorming –Collaborative learning system—a work environment that allows problem-solving participation by all team members Assisting the firm’s sales force –Customer-relationship management programs –Sales force automation programs 16 | 2

3. Copyright © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. Improving Productivity (cont’d) Training employees –Reduced educational and training costs –Increased flexibility and availability of training –Faster transfer of information about changes in the firm’s policies and procedures Recruiting employees –Provides for a global recruiting reach, especially for individuals with unique skills –Helps build a database of potential employees –Reduces recruiting costs for initial applications and screening interviews 16 | 3

4. Copyright © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. Business Applications Software Integrated software combines many functions in one package –Database management –Graphics –Spreadsheets –Word processing –Desktop publishing –Accounting –Computer-aided design (CAD) –Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) –Computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM) 16 | 4

5. Copyright © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. Current Business Applications Software Used to Improve Productivity 16 | 5