Enterprise Resource Planning Systems (ERP) are very large and complex software packages that run every aspect of an organization. Increasingly, ERP systems are being used in higher education as one way to teach business processes, essential knowledge for students competing in today's business environment. Past research attempting to measure…

Data-driven decision making, popularized in the 1980s and 1990s, is evolving into a vastly more sophisticated concept known as big data that relies on software approaches generally referred to as analytics. Big data and analytics for instructional applications are in their infancy and will take a few years to mature, although their presence is…

Describes decision support software that teaches business students the processes and decisions necessary to develop a comprehensive, affordable, equitable package of wages and benefits. Includes sample guidelines for students and instructors. (SK)

The evolution of executive reporting and decision support systems at the University of Hartford is described, including a definition of concepts, discussion of the decision support roles of the planning and institutional research office and computer service, a description of several systems already developed, and the strategies underlying…

Business students (n=22) who completed writing assignments in face-to-face collaborations were compared to those (n=40) using group support systems software. Posttest performance was significantly higher for both groups. Software users had significantly higher performance on the content and organization components of writing. (SK)

Describes a state-of-the-art electronic classroom at the University of Mississippi School of Business designed for large numbers of students and regularly scheduled classes. Highlights include: architecture of the room, hardware components, software utilized in the room, and group decision support system software and its uses. (JKP)

The conceptual framework, design, and implementation plan for building a decision-support system for enrollment management at a private university are outlined, including information about the computer hardware and software used in implementation. (Author/MSE)

Advanced communication and computing technologies create new resources and new opportunities in expanded role relationships for institutional research. Approaches to impact analysis and the rates of future change are discussed. (Author/MLW)

Contrasts are made between application development strategies employed for online transaction processing and for decision support at the University of Hartford. Applications designed and implemented are described and current developments in the plan are discussed. (Author/MLW)

Presents an overview of a computerized Decision Support System (DSS) for academic administrators. Following a discussion of its capabilities, the various components of a DSS are examined as well as the development tools needed. Examples follow of DSS in two universities, and various development and implementation issues are considered. (TE)

A needs assessment document, that describes in detail what an advancement program will require of its computer support system, is discussed. This document can create a framework for planning, help force decisions about policies and procedures, and present alternatives and recommendations to senior management. (MLW)

Decision support systems integrate information from multiple data sources, both internal and external, to produce concise analytic reports for both decision making and planning. The administrator requiring information for decision making is usually not concerned with daily, detailed changes, but rather with aggregated numbers, from fixed points in…

Institutional researchers play a key role in an environment where data warehouses are used to store and retrieve vast amounts of data. Along with the benefits of increased access for more users, improved reporting capabilities, and less reliance on centralized information, come questions of appropriate data usage, data access and security,…