Executive Information System

Definition: Executive Information System (EIS) is a structured, automated tracking system that operates continuously to keep management abreast of what is happening in all important areas. This tracking is accomplished by the system itself without management effort.

Why Executive Information System (EIS) ?

Information Needs - More timely information - Greater access to operational data - Greater access to corporate databases - More concise, relevant information - New or additional information - More information about the external environment - More competitive information - Faster access to external databases

How to Find Executive’s Information Needs - Interview all senior managers to determine what data they think is most important. - List the major objectives in the short- and long-term plans and identify their information requirements. - Ask the executives what information they would least like for their competition to see. - Determine what information from current management reports is being used by the executives. - Use prototyping

EIS Improvements in Executive Job Performance Ability - Enhanced communications - Greater ability to identify historic trends - Improved executive effectiveness - Improved executive efficiency - Fewer meetings and less time spent in meetings - Enhanced executive planning, organizing, and control - More focused executive attention - Greater support for executive decision making - Increased span of control

Reasons for Using EIS Reason Percentage of EIS Users Decision making50.0 Scheduling Electronic briefing37.5 Tickler and follow-up functions 31.3 Other 6.3 Source: Nord and Nord [1996]

EIS in the Persian Gulf War The Second Marine Aircraft wing had to plan its activities in a fast-changing political and military environment. The commanding general and his staff of about 110 needed large amounts of information, such as personnel availability, logistics status, and weather conditions and forecasts. Getting all this information via telephones and paper reports was a slow and possibly inaccurate task. Using RediMaster (from American Information Systems), a local area network, and information downloaded from a mainframe or PCs, and EIS was constructed that could provide the commanders with the needed information in seconds. The EIS included , a calendar, word processing, a spreadsheet, graphics software, and anything else that could be used to support commanders.fast -

Comparison of EIS and DSS EIS DSS Focus Status access, Analysis, drill down decision support Typical Users Top Executives Analysts, professionals, managers Application Environmental Diversified areas where scanning, performance managerial decisions evaluation, ident. of are made opportunities

More on Comparison of EIS and DSS EIS DSS Principle Use Tracking and Planning, organizing, control, staffing and controlling opportunity identification Dec. Support Indirect support Supports unstructured and for unstructured semistructured dec. making, dec. making and and ad hoc decisions policies

EIS Characteristics - Tracking and Control Tool - Excellent Graphics - Very User-Friendly - Provides Rapid Access to Current Information

EIS Characteristics - Problem Solving vs. Opportunity Assessment

Representative EIS Software Product Vendor Command CenterPilot Software CommanderComsahre Inc. EIS Tool KitEasel Corp. Executive DecisionsIBM Corp. FocusChannel Computing LightShipPilot Software The SAS SystemSAS Institute Inc.

Comshare’s Commander: - Support for Multiple User Interfaces - Multiple Methods for Locating Information - Access to External Databases (e.g. Dow Jones News Retriveal) - Interface to Other Software (Excel) - Integrated Decision Support - Screen Design Templates - Security for Data, Screens and Systems - Support for Rapid Prototyping

Research Issues How can the benefits of an EIS be assessed in advance? How does the software used in building an EIS affect the development process and system success? What are the major EIS data management problems and their solutions? How can EIS functionality be increased while maintaining its ease of use?