One of the factors that have always been key for any company is the decision-making process based on adequate information management. Today, the differentiating element between surviving and surviving companies lies in the use of the resources that technology offers, and the way in which these resources are exploited by each of the organizations, all of them related to the manipulation of data to provide clear, accurate and reliable information that is used for making timely and accurate decisions. Decision making is a critical activity within organizations, and this is why the success that the organization can achieve at any given time depends largely on it.
Currently companies and organizations focus a large part of their efforts on detecting areas for improvement that allow them to optimize their performance, in order to stay at the desired competitive level. One of the aspects that reflects the greatest importance refers to the use of information within the company, in such a way that through its efficient administration it is possible to make accurate and timely decisions that lead it to achieve the goals and objectives set..
One of the factors that influence the information management process to be carried out properly is the use of technological tools that provide us with the necessary support to streamline these processes, and as a consequence, an increase in the performance within the company, as well as a reduction of costs in the same.
Among these technological instruments are the programs or software, as well as the physical infrastructure necessary to support the programs. Software refers to “the electronic instructions that are going to tell the computer what to do. It can also be said that they are the programs used to direct the functions of a computer system or hardware » (1)
Each software develops specific functions within a diverse range of applications, and undoubtedly one of the most useful programs within a company are the so-called Decision Support Systems (DSS). «DSS tools can be defined as an integrated information planning and processing system that incorporates the ability to interrogate the company's information system in a certain way, analyze the information obtained and predict, based on certain models, the impact of future decisions before implementing them. These are usually integrated sets of programs (statistical calculations, database queries, modeling, mathematical programming, etc.) that can share the same data and information (both from internal and external sources) »(two)
In this way, decision making becomes a critical success variable within companies, and this is where the importance of a DSS lies. “Today information systems play a fundamental role for the success of companies. It is a great challenge that an organization can control the variables of planning, organization, control and direction of the company. To be able to control them, it is necessary to make the right decisions that can lead the organization in the desired direction. " (3)
As can be seen, the decision support system is the basis through which plans and strategies for the company can be outlined, since it will provide the decision maker with the necessary instruments to direct efforts towards a common goal or goal..
DSS can be implemented to support a specific area within the company, or it can be designed so that only one of them provides support to various areas. Through a decision support system, the following benefits can be obtained, related to each area of the company: «In the administrative area to make decisions based on financial analysis, cost analysis and other analyzes carried out with respect to accounting or administrative information. In the production area to make decisions based on information relevant to production costs, allocation of production resources, itinerary scheduling and control of inventory levels. And finally, in the sales area, these systems are applied to make decisions regarding advertising campaigns,marketing planning and sales support » (4)
Taking into account the above, a DSS is capable of promoting various factors, all of them with a high degree of importance for the entity: a reduction of costs within the company, streamlining of processes within each area of the organization, optimization of the service provided to customers and suppliers, among others, and based on them it is possible to establish an important competitive advantage with respect to its direct competitors within the market.
Conclusions
Definitely, the decision-making process within organizations is of vital importance from the moment in which the set of plans, actions or strategies of the company depends on this, as well as, although indirectly, the establishment of objectives and goals..
Thus, the use of technological tools that provide support to the decision-making process, allows companies to obtain competitive advantages as a result of streamlining the process, in addition to having a significant impact on the overall performance of the organization.
The fact that the decision maker obtains from the same source the necessary information to determine the set of actions to be taken, provides an extra benefit against those who do not have this resource and must invest more time than necessary to gather information, analyze it and interpret it, in the sense that it will count to a greater extent on the most important resource for the organization, time.
Bibliography
1. López Martínez, Karina. (2000). Software. (Online). Maracaibo Venezuela.
2. Elizondo, Monica. (2002). Intelligent Systems and Decision Support. Mexico DF.
3. Arzate Carrasco, Omar. (2002). Use of Decision Support Systems in Mexican Companies. (Online). Monterrey, NL.
4. Sterling, Jorge. (2003). Application and impact of decision support systems. (Online). Mexico DF.
5. Thompson, A. and Strickland, A. (2003). Strategic management. Concepts and cases. (pp. 172-177). USA: Mc-Graw Hill.
