Demonstration of a cost efficient “Decision Support System (DSS)” using Visual Studio Applications

Abstract

Decision support systems (DSS) are a suitable, need-based and cost effective solution for companies to implement analysis tools and streamline various processes. This report demonstrates the applicability of such a tool in a specific context where previously no DSS has been applied. The analysis of contract cancellations within financial companies that entirely depend on these agents is a crucial analytical process for these companies. However, these companies have not yet used a sophisticated DSS that allows a user-friendly and simple analysis in order to derive evidence-based countermeasures. Consequently, this report describes the process of developing and evaluating a DSS that fulfils general and specific requirements. These criteria have been tested while developing the tool in order to guarantee several steps of reiteration. The results clearly show that the developed tool is user-friendly, provides enough analytical depth and can be easily implemented. This prototype is therefore a robust and convincing solution for an important business problem and its benefit can be seen in the fact that participating companies are considering to implement a DSS solution that is based on this prototype.

Date of Award	May 2012
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of Bedfordshire