The types of information systems may include the following:

• Executive Support Systems (ESS): An Executive Support System (ESS) pools data from internal and external sources and makes information available to senior managers in an easy-to-use form. ESS help senior managers make strategic, unstructured decisions. An ESS also provides senior managers with easy access to key internal and external information. It is a flexible system that summarizes and tracks strategically critical information, possibly drawn from internal MIS and DSS, but also including data from external sources like competitors, legislation, and external databases such as Reuters.
• Management Information Systems (MIS): Management Information Systems (MIS) convert data from mainly internal sources into information (e.g., summary reports, exception reports). This information enables managers to make timely and effective decisions for planning, directing, and controlling the activities for which they are responsible. An MIS provides regular reports and (usually) online access to the organization’s current and historical performance.
• Decision-Support Systems (DSS): Decision-Support Systems (DSS) combine data and analytical models or data analysis tools to support semi-structured and unstructured decision-making. The DSS has analytical capabilities, is user-friendly and flexible, and supports the decision-maker. An example of a DSS is the spreadsheet.
• Expert Systems: An expert system is a computer program that captures human expertise in a limited domain of knowledge. An expert system can make decisions and is used in specific applications such as medical diagnosis and credit approval in banking. It has a database of facts and rules and an inferencing engine to process the rules and establish which ones apply. It can then suggest a decision.
• Knowledge Work Systems (KWS): Knowledge Work Systems (KWS) are information systems that facilitate the creation and integration of new knowledge into an organization. Knowledge workers are people whose jobs consist of primarily creating new information and knowledge. They are often members of a profession such as doctors, engineers, lawyers, and scientists.
• Office Automation Systems (OAS): Office Automation Systems (OAS) are computer systems designed to increase the productivity of data and information workers. OAS support the major activities performed in a typical office such as document management, facilitating communication, and managing data. Examples include:
  • Word processing, desktop publishing, and digital filing systems
  • E-mail, voicemail, videoconferencing, groupware, intranets, schedulers
  • Spreadsheets, desktop databases.
• Transaction Processing Systems (TPS): A Transaction Processing System (TPS) performs and records routine transactions. Transaction processing systems are used at the operational level for routine processing of data items and transactions. They provide the raw material for management information systems. Examples include inventory systems and order processing systems.

(Any 4 points well explained @ 2.5 marks each = 10 marks)