How does a DSS differ from an MIS?
by Dan Power Editor, DSSResources.com Some Decision Support Systems (DSS) are Management Information Systems (MIS), but DSS serve purposes other than providing managers with information. In the 1970s and 80s, people used the term MIS to describe a broad, general category of information systems (cf., Davis, 1974). Currently, the acronyms MIS and IS (Information Systems) are used interchangeably to describe a functional department that is responsible for managing information systems and technology. Also, today a number of computing jobs are grouped together under the heading of MIS or IS professionals. Additionally, the term management information systems and MIS is used to identify an academic major and an area of scholarly inquiry in some universities. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, an MIS generated periodic management reports (cf., Davis, 1974). MIS supported the internal reporting needs of management accountants. Davis defined a Management Information System as “an integrated, ma
