59

UNIT 4

INTRODUCTION TO MANAGEMENET
INFORMATION SYSTEM
Learning Objectives
After having read this unit, you will be able to

know about the importance and concept of MIS;

know the characteristics of MIS

describe the functions of MIS;

explain the classification of MIS and to understand the concepts of TPS,

MIS, DSS, ESS, OAS and BES;

Structure
4.1.

Introduction

4.2.

MIS: A Definition

4.3.

MIS Characteristics

4.4.

MIS Functions

4.5.

MIS Classifications

4.6.

Summary

4.7.

Review Questions

4.1. Introduction
It goes without saying that all managerial functions are performed through
decision-making; for taking rational decisions, timely and reliable information
is essential and is procured through a logical and well-structured method of
information collecting, processing and disseminating to decision-makers. Such

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a method in the field of management is widely known as Management
Information System (MIS).
In todays world of ever-increasing complexities of business as well as
management, every business organization, in order to survive and grow, must
have a property planned, analysed, designed and maintained MIS so that it
provides timely, reliable and useful information to enable the management
take speedy and rational decisions.
The era of liberalization and globalization, in which the organizations are
required to compete not locally but globally, has further enhanced the
necessity for such a system. Computers and Information Technology (IT) have
added yet another dimension in this direction.
It is because of the above-cited reasons, that MIS, nowadays, is considered to
be of paramount importance, sometimes regarded as the nerve centre of an
organization. Such systems assist decision-makers in organizations by
providing Management Information (MI) at various stages of decision making
and thus greatly help the organizations to achieve their pre-determined goals
and objectives. On the other hand, the MIS which is not adequately planned
for, analysed, designed, implemented or is poorly maintained, may provide
inaccurate, irrelevant or obsolete information, which may prove costly or even
fatal for the organization.
The term MIS is of recent origin. But it does not mean that organizations were
doing without such a system. In fact MIS has been in existence since the
advent of business organizations. Until recently, MIS occupied the status that
oxygen did before Lavoisiers discovery of the gas it was both vital and
unrecognized. However, business as well as management happened to be
simple in yesteryears. Whereas nowadays, both have grown to unprecedented
levels of complexity. Also as has already been mentioned, with the advent of
computers and communication technology, it has now become possible to
transmit large amounts of information across long distances cheaply and
without loss of time. Thus, environmental pressures have necessitated that
information be considered as a fifth important resource along with the

61
traditional four resources of money, materials, men and machines. In fact,
some management researchers have gone so far as to define a manager as a
transducer that transfers information to decision. Thus, there is no denying the
fact that MIS, though was very much in use since the start of the first business
organization, it remained manual, very simple and unrecognized, whereas
today, it has got a greatly refined nomenclature, along with a well-designed
computer-based structure, which follows the systems approach. In other
words, todays organizations just cannot survive and grow without property
planned, designed, implemented and maintained MIS. It has been wellunderstood that MIS enables even small organizations to more than offset the
economies of scale enjoyed by their bigger competitors and thus helps in
providing a competitive edge over other organizations.

4.2. MIS: A Definition

Management information system is a system consisting of people, machines,
procedures, databases and data models, as its elements. The system gathers
data from the internal and external sources of an organization; processes it and
supplies Management Information to assist managers in the process of
decision making. Here the world system implies that MIS follows a systems
approach which means a wholistic approach and is based on the concept of
synergy where the output is greater than the sum of its parts. Thus, it clearly
indicates that MIS is not a single system, rather it is an integrated system
where parts (sub-system) fit into an overall design.
A diagrammatic representation of the concept of MIS has been shown in
Figure 4-1. The purpose of MIS as understood today, is to raise managing
from the level of piecemeal steady information, intuitive guesswork and
isolated problem solving to the level of systems insight, system information,
sophisticated data processing and systems problem solving.

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Data

Processing Logic

- Judgment - External Environment

- Intuition - Experience - Skill
Informat
ion

Computers

Intelligence

Design

Choice

Data
Human Beings
Data

Decision Making
Decision

Database

Decision Implementation

MIS
Performance

Figure 4-1 Concept of MIS

4.2.1. Information Technology and MIS

Nowadays, Information Technology (IT), is sometimes referred to the
technological side of an information system, which is understood to include
hardware, software, databases, networks, and other devices. In other words, IT
may be viewed as a sub-system of an information system. However, it is just a
narrow definition of information technology. The term IT is also being used
interchangeably with information system or sometimes as a broader concept
that describes a combination of all or many of the information systems, users
and management for the entire organization.

4.3. MIS Characteristics

A management information system has the following characteristics.

1. System Approach
The information system follows a systems approach. The systems approach
implies a wholistic approach to the study of system and its performance in the
light of the objective for which it has been constituted. This approach is antipiecemeal in nature. In other words, systems approach, in the sense intended

63
here, means taking a comprehensive view or a complete look at the
interlocking sub-systems that operate within an organization.

2. Management Oriented
This is an important characteristic of MIS. For designing of MIS, top-down
approach should be followed. Top-down approach suggests that the system
development starts from the determination of management needs and overall
business objectives. The MIS development plan should be derived from the
overall business plan. Management oriented characteristic of MIS also implies
that the management actively directs the system development efforts. In MIS
development, a manager should spend a good amount of his/her time in
system design. To ensure that the implemented system meets the specifications
of the system, continued review and participation of the manager is necessary.

3. Need Based
MIS design and development should be as per the information needs of
mangers at different levels, viz., strategic planning level, management control
level and operational control level. In other words, MIS should cater to the
specific needs of managers in an organizations hierarchy.

4. Exception Based
MIS should be developed on the exception based reporting principle, which
means an abnormal situation, i.e. the maximum, minimum or expected values
vary beyond tolerance limits. In such situations, there should be exception
reporting to the decision maker at the required level.

5. Future Oriented
Besides exception based reporting, MIS should also look at the future. In other
words MIS should not merely provide past or historical information; rather it
should provide information, on the basis of projections based on which actions
may be initiated.

6. Integrated

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Integration is a necessary characteristic of a management information system.
Integration is significant because of its ability to produce more meaningful
information. For example, in order to develop an effective production
scheduling system, it is necessary to balance such factors as
i)

Set-up costs,

ii)

Work force,

iii)

Overtime rates,

iv)

Production capacity,

v)

Inventory level,

vi)

Capital requirements,

vii)

Customer services, etc.

A system that ignores any one of these elements, for example, inventory
levels, is not providing the management with an optimal picture. The cost of
carting excess inventory may more than offset the other benefits of the system.
Integration in the sense intended here, means taking a comprehensive view or
looking at the complete picture of the interlocking sub-systems that operate
within the company. One can start developing an MIS by attacking a specific
sub-system, but unless its place in the total system is realized and property
reflected, serious shortcomings may result. Thus, an integrated system that
blends information from several operational areas is a necessary characteristic
of an MIS.

7. Common Data Flows

Because of the integration concept of MIS, there is an opportunity to avoid
duplication and redundancy in data gathering, storage and dissemination.
System designers are aware that a few key source documents account for
much of the information flow. For example, customers orders are the basis for
billing the customer for the goods ordered, setting up accounts receivables,
initiating production activity, sales analysis, sales forecasting, etc. It is prudent
to capture and use this data throughout the functional areas. The common data

65
flow concept supports several of the basic tenets of system analysis. These
include avoiding duplication, combining similar functions and simplifying
operations wherever possible. The development of common data flow is an
economically sound and logical concept, but it must be viewed in a practical
light.

8. Long-Term Planning
MIS is developed over relatively long periods. Such systems do not develop
overnight. A heavy element of planning is involved. The MIS designer must
have the future objectives and needs of the company in mind. The designer
must avoid the possibility of the system going obsolete before its time.

9. Sub-System Concept
The process of MIS development is quite complex and one is likely to loss
insight frequently. Thus, the system, though viewed as a single entity, must be
broken down into digestible sub-systems which are more meaningful at the
planning stage.

10. Central Database

A central database is the mortar that holds the functional systems together.
Each system requires access to the master file of data covering inventory,
personnel, vendors, customers, etc. If the data is stored efficiently and with
common usage in mind, one master file can provide the data needed by any of
the functional systems. It seems logical to gather data once, to properly
validate it and to place it on a central storage medium that can be accessed by
any other sub-system.

4.4. MIS Functions

MIS is set up by an organization with the prime objective to obtain
management information to be used by its managers in decision making. Thus,
MIS must perform the following functions in order to meet its objectives.

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1. Data Capturing
MIS captures data from various internal and external sources of an
organization. Data capturing may be manual or through computer terminals.
End users typically, record data about transactions on some physical medium,
such as a paper form, or enter it directly into a computer system.

2. Processing of Data
The captured data is processed to convert it into the required management
information. Processing of data is done by such activities as calculating,
comparing, sorting, classifying and summarising. These activities organize and
manipulate data using various statistical, mathematical, operations research
and / or other business models.

Source

Source

User
User

Source

Data
Captur
e

Processin
g

Disseminatio
n

User

Source
Retrieval

Source

Storage of
Data

Figure 4-2 Functions of MIS

3. Storage of Information
MIS stores processed or unprocessed data for future use. If any information is
not immediately required, it is saved as an organizational record. In this
activity, data and information are retained in an organized manner for later
use. Stored data is commonly organized into fields, records, files and
databases.

User

67

4. Retrieval of Information
MIS retrieves information from its stores as and when required by various
users. As per the requirements of management users, the retrieved information
is either disseminated as such or it is processed again to meet the exact MI
demands.

5. Dissemination of MI
Management Information, which is a finished product of MIS, is disseminated
to the users in the organization. It could be periodic, through reports or on-line
through computer terminals. Figure 4-2 depicts various functions performed
by MIS

4.5. MIS Classifications

The discipline of MIS is in its evolutionary stage. MIS is a concept, which is a
matter of degree rather than an absolute one. In management, there are perhaps
few other areas other than MIS which have evoked such a controversy. Over
the years, it has evolved from an elementary concept to an advanced discipline
of today. Though it lacks clear lines of demarcation and can be categorized in
the following six classes.
i)

Transaction Processing System (TPS),

ii)

Management Information System (MIS),

iii)

Decision Support System (DSS),

iv)

Executive Support System (ESS),

v)

Office Automation Systems (OASs), and

vi)

Business Expert Systems (BESs).

4.5.1. Transaction Processing System

As the name indicates, TPS processes transactions and produces reports. It
represents the automation of the fundamental, routine processing used to
support business operations. It does not provide any information to the user for

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his/her decision making. TPS uses data and produces data as shown in the
following diagram. (See Figure 4-3)

Data

Processing

Input

Data
Output

Figure 4-3 Transaction Processing System

Previously TPS was known as Management Information System. Prior to

computers, data processing was performed manually or with simple machines.
However, nowadays, data processing is mainly done with the help of
computers. In many organizations, TPS is also known as a Data Processing
System. Its domain is obviously at the lowest level of management hierarchy
of an organization. Transactions could be externally generated or events
internal to an organization. Externally generated transactions are from
customers, suppliers, and other groups. Any internal event that is recorded by
the information system is considered to be a transaction. For example,
transferring work in process from one stage of production to the next,
recording depreciation on equipment, making routine file changes such as
adding or deleting records or changing an employees address, and correcting
errors in previous input data are all examples of internal transactions. The
output of a data processing system or TPS may be in several forms. One type
of output is revised data files which have been corrected for errors, have had
records added or deleted or have had record status as employee name or
address altered in some fashion.

4.5.2. Management Information System (MIS)

MIS is an information system which processes data and converts it into
information. This has been depicted diagrammatically in Figure 4-4.
A management information system uses TPS for its data inputs. The
information generated by the information system may be used for control of

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operations,

strategic

and long-range planning, short-range planning,

management control and other managerial problem solving. Exception reports

are the first type of information, which may be based directly on transaction
files. The domain of MIS is mainly management control level of management
hierarchy. In contrast to TPS, a management information system is more
comprehensive; it encompasses processing in support of a wide range of
organizational functions and management processes. Second, MIS is capable
of providing analysis, planning and decision making support.

Information

Input

TPS

Processing

Output

Data

Figure 4-4 Management Information System

It is, as has already been defined, an integrated system. in business

organizations, information systems are generally developed to cater to the
information needs of managers of each of the functional areas of the business.
The functional areas of a business may be marketing, production, human
resource, finance and accounting, etc., and correspondingly the information
systems supporting these functions are known as marketing information
system, production/manufacturing information system, human resource
information system and financial and accounting information systems.
Alternatively there may be a common structure useful to each of the business
functions. Integration of the information may be:
i)

hierarchical,

ii)

horizontal, and

iii)

cross-functional.

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In hierarchical integration, operational control level systems feed data to a
higher level system, i.e. to the management control level (middle level) and to
the strategic planning level (top level).
Horizontal integration refers to integration of information systems within a
functional area or a chain of command. For example, a product may pass
through several production processes in a production department. The
information systems of all these sub-systems (production processes) are
integrated in a departmental production information system.
Cross functional information systems, as the name indicates, associate with
different functional areas. For example, a marketing information system may
transmit information regarding loss of sales because of inventory shortage to
the inventory control information system.
Nowadays, with the emergence of Business Process Re-engineering (BPR)
and advancements in network technology, emphasis is being given to business
and their integration. The information systems that focus on the business
processes that a production passes through, integrate all these processes even
in different functional areas and thus make the demarcation lines of functional
areas weak. Such information systems are more popular in larger organizations
having wide geographical coverage and diversified product range because of
the

problems

faced

by

these

organizations

mainly

inter-functional

communications. Different software vendors have termed such systems

differently, but the most commonly used term for highly integrated
information systems is Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems.
These systems integrate all the processes of the business and help plan the
resources of the organization. These systems help in focusing on production
capacities, logistics management and working out financial implications of
each decision rather than just computing costs. The basic philosophy of an
ERP system is that business processes are to be integrated at all levels and all
the resources of the organization are to be treated as common resources that
are to be used most efficiently to satisfy its customers. As the needs of
customers keep changing, ERP systems provide adaptability to these changing

71
needs. ERP systems enable the manager to take an overall view of the business
as a whole instead of having a myopic view of business functions, and thus
offer the benefits of synergy of various functions in achieving the goals and
objectives of the organization. These systems also offer flexibility to business
processes as the process itself, instead of some function in the process, is
automated. All the required changes are implemented quickly with ERP
systems. For example, SAP-R3, an ERP software package provides more than
700 processes that are automated and integrated with each other.

Customer Order

Bill of Material
Sales Analysis

Material
Resource
Planning

Sales Order
Processing
Inventory
System
Work Order
Maintenance

Production
Planning

Shop Floor
Control

Production
Scheduling

Raw Material
Purchase

Quality Control

Accounts
Receivable

Financial
Accounting

Accounts
Payable
Suppliers

Figure 4-5 Enterprise Resource Planning System An Example

Figure 4-5 illustrates a typical ERP system, the sales order processing interacts
with the inventory system, work order maintenance and accounts receivable
sub-systems. In other words, three important functional areas of a business,
namely, marketing, production and finance are integrated. In the system,

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integration of some other activities like production planning, production
scheduling, procurement of raw materials, Material Resource Planning (MRP)
has also been achieved.

4.5.3. Decision Support System (DSS)

A decision support system (DSS) is an information system application that
assists decision-making. DSS tends to be used in planning, analyzing
alternatives, and trial and error search for solutions. Such systems are
generally operated through terminal-based interactive dialogues with users.
They incorporate a variety of decision-models and thus are capable of
performing What-if analysis for managers. DSS differs from most traditional
information systems in that usually each decision support system is distinct
from the other information system and is tailor-made for every manager.
Decision Support Systems, although created and used by managers, are
nevertheless a part of the organizations MIS. As decision support system is
tailored to a specific managerial task or special problem, its use is limited to
that task or problem. Decision support system includes a database, model base
and software providing interactive dialogue facility for the manager. The data
in the database typically is a combination of master files (internal corporate
data) and data from external sources.
The second component of the DSS is a library of models to manipulate and
analyze the data in the desired ways. The model base might include
econometric models to forecast demand by industry and simulation models of
the corporation.
A user interface is the third component. Through this, the user can
communicate with the DSS. The physical interface generally consists of a
terminal hooked up to the mainframe computer, either directly or by
telephones. Micro-computers with the modems are being used ever more
frequently for this interface. These elements are illustrated in Figure 4-6.
DSS goes one step further to a management information system as DSS
supports decision-making. DSS uses MIS depicted in Figure 4-7.

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Database

Model Base

User Interface

User
Figure 4-6 Elements of DSS

a1
Information from
MIS

a2
a3

Decision (most
appropriate
alternative)

a4
a5
Alternative Processing
Figure 4-7 Decision Support Systems
DSS can be differentiated from MIS in terms of its processing capabilities.
Whereas MIS processes data to convert it into information; DSS processes
information to support the decision making process of a manger. For example,
a salary information system provides information to every employee regarding
his basic salary, allowances and deductions, if any, etc. However, if an
employee wants to make deposits in some schemes for availing income tax
rebates, he can make use of DSS. Decision Support system helps the user
decide in which scheme and how much he should invest in order to get
maximum benefits. Secondly DSS provides an interactive dialogue
environment, through which the user can interact with the system to add/alter
the data as per his requirements. The main application areas of DSS are
production, finance and marketing. For example, DSS supports decision
making in procurement analysis, production planning and scheduling,

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inventory planning and control, financial planning and analysis, marketing
mix decisions, etc. DSS can, nowadays, be developed with the help of special
purpose computer packages. These language packages usually include several
pre-written analysis routines such as interest calculation formulae, discounted
cash flow calculation routines, internal rates of return, and time-series analysis
routines. These routines can be easily integrated into a decision support system
requiring that particular calculating function. Interactive Financial Planning
Systems (IFPSs) and Simplan are two well-known decision support system
software packages in use. Visicalc, Supercalc, Context MBA, Lotus 1-2-3,
Symphony and DSS-F provide similar but less extensive assistance in
developing support systems.
4.5.4. Executive Support System
Executive Support System (ESS) is an extension of the management
information system which is a special kind of DSS. An ESS is specially
tailored for the use of chief executive of an organization to support his
decision-making. Thus, ESS is a comprehensive information system which
includes various types of decision-support systems, but it is more specific and
person-oriented. An ESS is designed to cater to the information needs of a
chief executive keeping in view not only his requirements but also taking into
account his personality and style of functioning, etc.
4.5.5. Office Automation Systems (OASs)
Office automation refers to the application of computer and communication
technology to office functions. Office automation systems are meant to
improve the productivity of managers at various levels of management by
providing secretarial assistance and better communication facilities. Office
automation systems are the combination of hardware, software and people in
information systems, that process office transactions and support office
activities at all levels of the organization. These systems include a wide range
of support facilities, which include word processing, electronic filing,
electronic

mail,

message

communications, etc.

switching,

data

storage,

data

and

voice

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Office activities may be grouped under two classes, namely
1. activities performed by clerical personnel (clerks, secretaries, typists,
etc.), and
2. activities performed by the executives (managers, engineers or other
professionals like economists, researchers, etc.).
In the first category, the following is a list of activities.
a) Typing,
b) Mailing,
c) Scheduling of meetings and conferences,
d) Calendar keeping, and
e) Retrieving documents.
The following is a list of activities in the second category (managerial
category).
a) Conferencing,
b) Production of information (messages, memos, reports, etc.), and
c) Controlling performance.
As already discussed, information technology facilitates both types of
activities. A wide variety of office automation devices like fax machines,
copiers, phones, etc., are used in offices. However, nowadays, computer-based
office automation systems are gaining popularity among managers and office
staff, because such systems offer integrated solutions that can be shared
automatically. Computer-based office automation systems not only cater to the
communication needs of the office managers within the organization but also
help to communicate with external entities such as vendors, investors,
customers, etc. Some of the applications of office automation systems are
discussed, in brief.

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Word Processing
This refers to the computer-assisted preparation of documents (like letters,
reports, memos, etc.) from textual data. Text is entered via a keyboard which is
displayed on the screen of a visual display unit. Data once entered can be
manipulated in various ways. It can be edited, stored on magnetic media and
reproduced through simple commands which eliminate the need for redrafting
the entire document. Spellings can be checked automatically and pre-defined
letters can be generated, addressed to many persons by merging the letter and
address through a mail-merge program. Nowadays, these systems can even be
trained to understand the dictation of the manager and to convert it to text on
the word processor.
Electronic Filing
This facilitates the filing of incoming and outgoing mail/documents on a
magnetic media. Information is captured from the documents and is stored for
future reference. Computer-based filing systems have the advantage of space
saving and permitting easily modifiable cross-reference indexes. These
indexes contain pointers to the location of the document itself.
Electronic Mail
It

involves

the

transfer

of

letters

and

other

documents

through

telecommunication lines, rather than through physical delivery. An electronic

mail system requires a telecommunication network and software. It speeds up
mail delivers and reduces the cost and time taken by paper-mail.
Local Area Networks (LANs) have further facilitated the sharing of data files
and software among many different computer terminals. Workstations/
terminals can also transfer data/messages to each other. Voice mail, which is
another form of e-mail, transmits messages in digitized voice. The receiver can
hear the spoken messages in the voice of the sender by dialing a voice-mail
service. Advancements in multimedia technologies have also made desk-top
teleconferencing systems quite popular.

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4.5.6. Business Expert Systems (BESs)

These systems are one of the main type of knowledge-based information
systems (KBISs). Business expert systems, which are based on artificial
intelligence (AI), are advanced information systems. A knowledge-based
information system adds a knowledge-base to the main components found in
other types of information systems. Artificial intelligence may be referred to as
the capability that makes computers display intelligent, human-like behaviour.
For example, reasoning, drawing inferences, learning and problem-solving are
such acts of intelligence.
A Business Expert System (BES) is knowledge-based information system that
uses its knowledge about a specific, complex application area to act as an
expert. Thus, expert systems provide decision support to managers in the form
of advice from an expert in a specific problem area. Expert systems find
application in diverse areas, ranging from medical, engineering and business.
The main advantages of using expert systems may be outlined as follows.
i)

The knowledge/capabilities of many experts can be used to build a

single expert system.

ii)

Decision-making in critical times can be more reliable, as these

systems are not affected by emotional factors or fatigue.

iii)

Multiple hypotheses can be considered simultaneously.

The expert system is interactive in nature, which enables it to ask questions of

the user. On the basis of these questions, an expert system searches its
knowledge base for facts and rules, explains its reasoning process when asked
and comes out with expert advice to the end user in the subject area being
explored.
The main components of an expert system (see Figure 4-8) include:
i)

Knowledge base

ii)

Inference engine, and

78
iii)

User interface.

Logic

Rules, Facts

Knowledge Base

Interface Engine
User Interface

Figure 4-8 Main components of an Expert System

Knowledge base contains the facts about the specific expert area and heuristics
(rules of thumb) that describe the reasoning procedures of an expert on the
subject.
Inference engine contains the logic of reaching an inference from the stored
data and rules (knowledge base).
Expert systems may be developed by using either programming languages,
such as LISP, PROLOG or C by using expert system packages (expert system
shells). Using the expert system packages, which are like application
generators, one can design an expert system that combines the features of a
DSS and an expert system. This integration makes the application
development process easier and faster for end users.

ESS
B
E
S
&
O
A
S

DSS
MIS

TPS
Figure 4-9 Hierarchy of Information Systems

79
From the above discussion, it emanates that the concept of MIS continues to
evolve. It is related to, but not equivalent to TPS and other information
systems-related concepts. Two more such concepts that are considered
extensions of the MIS concept are Information Resource Management (IRM)
and End-User Computing. The hierarchy of information system is shown in
Figure 4-9 which depicts the overlapping nature of the various classes of
information systems.

4.6. Summary
Management information system is a system consisting of people, machines,
procedures, databases and data models, as its elements. The system gathers
data from the internal and external sources of an organization; processes it and
supplies Management Information to assist managers in the process of
decision making.
MIS must perform the following functions in order to meet its objectives. MIS
captures data from various internal and external sources of an organization.
Data capturing may be manual or through computer terminals. The captured
data is processed to convert it into the required management information. MIS
stores processed or unprocessed data for future use. MIS retrieves information
from its stores as and when required by various users. Management
Information, which is a finished product of MIS, is disseminated to the users
in the organization.
MIS can be categorized in the following six classes.
vii)

Transaction Processing System (TPS),

viii)

Management Information System (MIS),

ix)

Decision Support System (DSS),

x)

Executive Support System (ESS),

xi)

Office Automation Systems (OASs), and

xii)

Business Expert Systems (BESs).

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4.7. Review Questions

1)

Can we not do without MIS in business organizations? How did

business organizations manage to survive and grow without MIS in the
past?

2)

What is understood by the term MIS? How does it assist managers in

their day-to-day functioning?

3)

Give various characteristics of MIS. Support your answer with suitable

examples.

4)

Discuss various functions of MIS.

5)

Illustrate different categories of MIS. Which is the most advanced

category? Discuss.

6)

Differentiate between TPS and MIS. With the help of a suitable

example, explain the concept of DSS.

7)

Office automation systems (OAS) have gained greater importance in

recent years. Justify the statement and identify different types of OAS.

8)

Briefly discuss Business Expert Systems. How are they different from
Decision Support Systems? Give business applications of expert
systems.