DSS

In its narrowest sense, adecision support system(DSS)is software that uses models, information, and an interactive user interface to help you make decisions. A DSS lets you look at information in different ways to help you come to a conclusion about what the best course of action might be for a certain situation. Usually a DSS is software that requires a lot of input from you.

In a broader sense, a decision support system is any computerized aid to decision making. What separates decision-making software tools from artificial intelligence is that decision support software helps you analyze the options, but doesn't make the decision for you. Artificial intelligence systems, on the other hand, usually present you with a solution that you can then decide to accept or reject.

Decision support can be in the form of a specialized decision support system or a geographic information system. Below are some examples of decision support systems.

A Decision Support System to Cut Car Insurance Rates

Normally, car insurance providers charge much more to insure drivers who have DUI convictions because the risk that these customers will file more claims. Accidents are much more likely when you're driving under the influence of alcohol.

However, using a decision support system, one national insurance carrier discovered that married male homeowners in their 40s with one DUI conviction rarely repeat that behavior. Based on this information, the insurance company lowered its rates to people who fit this profile and the company's market share went way up.

A decision support system let the company separate out a particular subcategory of customers and helped increase the profitability of the company. (For more information on this DSS, see Kauderer, Steven and Kuehl, Amy. "Adding Value with Technology," Best's Review , October 2001, p. 130).

A GIS for Natural Gas Pipeline Safety

In 1996, the Accountable Pipeline Safety and Partnership Act required the Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) to adopt rules requiring a pipeline operator to create and maintain accurate maps that identify the location of the operator's natural gas transmission, significant distribution, and major hazardous liquid pipeline facilities. Pipeline operators also had to show, in map form, the products being transported through the pipelines.

So the Office of Pipeline Safety, which is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, developed a geographic information system to create a centralized database of all the pipeline information for helping in decision making, emergency response, community information, and inspection planning.

The information on the pipelines is augmented by information on sensitive areas near the pipeline where there are ecological or drinking water considerations. Information on high population areas and navigable waterways are also included, along with the locations of schools hospitals, libraries, correctional institutions, etc.

This information will be used to decide on courses of action in the event of an earthquake, hurricane, flood or landslide. It can also be used to determine the vulnerability of a particular region to terrorist attacks.

Having all that information in map form makes it much easier for people to see the big picture in case of an emergency. In the end the system may save many lives. (For more information on this GIS, see Fischer, Steven, and Hall Samuel. "US National Mapping System Growing, Adjusting to Security Concerns," Oil and Gas, November 26, 2001, pp. 68-72).