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THE ROLE OF EXPERT SYSTEM IN MANAGEMENT
Expert Systems
Knowledge
based (KB) systems often called expert systems use human knowledge to solve
problems that normally would require human intelligence. The data used in
such systems are called expert knowledge. The rules and data are then called
upon to solve the problem. Books and manuals contain a lot of knowledge, but
one has to read and interpret the knowledge for it to be useful. Conventional
computer programs perform tasks using decision-making logic that contains
little knowledge of the basic algorithm for solving specific problem with the
necessary boundary conditions. As the program knowledge changes, the program
also changes and often times have to be changed and rebuilt. On the contrary,
an expert system collects small fragment of human knowledge into a knowledge
base, which is then used to reason through the problem using knowledge that
is appropriate. A different problem within the domain of the knowledge base
may be solved using the same software in the expert system without
reprogramming . These systems have the ability to explain the reasoning
process through back traces and handle different levels of confidence and
uncertainty, features that the conventional programs do not possess.
Applications
of Expert System in Management:
BOTTLING
INDUSTRY
Experts
systems have been used in the Industrial world to assess the evolution of an
industry and the capabilities of potential competitors within the industry .
These Competitive Intelligence Programs (CIP) may be developed for Pepsi,
Marinda, limca, sprite and some other beverages to assist in the collection
of accurate information about its production and sales in respect of its
major competitors in order to develop a master plan for production,
distribution and pricing in a way that will give it a competitive advantage
over all its competitors. Such an expert system if developed may assist the
existing expert system to improve its production/distribution/pricing
activities.
So apart from using the expert system to assess the relative strength and weaknesses
of its competitors it can also be used to assess complex and uncertain
business environments. These external factors are of some importance in
effecting organizational changes .
AGRICULTURE
SERVICES
Expert
systems are useful in the analysis of data from poultry farm for the purpose
of controlling farm's environmental conditions. This system may then be used
to alert the workers on the farm on diseases the chickens have or may have
due to data analysis from the expert system. Experts systems may also serve
as veterinary doctors that are in short supply on our Agricultural farms.
Expert Systems may also be used in an organization like National Institute of
Horticulture (NIHORT) in presenting horticultural advice to gardeners. These
systems may be used to train professional and non-professional gardeners on
how to plant various species of flowers, fruits and vegetables. This will
facilitate the work done in NIHORT as well increase efficiency and
productivity .
Experts systems can be used to train homeowners who are interested in
beautifying their homes with flowers, and people interested in starting
small-scale flower growing industry.
FINANCIAL
TRANSACTIONS
Expert
Systems are useful in financial institutions for monitoring desired
information and also detecting fraud. An expert system may be used to assist
where the volume of information to be processed is enormous. It may be used
to develop a system that will provide auditing assistance to its numerous
clients. With this type of expert system in place, the frequency of auditing
may be increased from 18 months periodic auditing that the company offers now
to monthly. This will assist in arresting abnormal practices quicker than
before. It will also increase the productivity of the company as well as
enhance its efficiency and effectiveness.
MEDICAL
SERVICES
First
expert system developed for medical services was MYCIN. This is used to
diagnose the disease and also gives proper prescription depending on the
current position of a patient and his/her history. Later on this expert
system became a model for almost all medical expert systems. The enhancement
in this system is EMYCIN.
In general expert system can be of assistance whenever a patient needs the
attention of a doctor, and none is available .
PRODUCTION
SCHEDULING
Expert
Systems can also be used in support of production scheduling at major
production companies. The expert system will determine what product or
products to produce, at what time, the quantity to produce and how to
distribute what is produced. The performances of such systems have been
measured against cost of production and customer sales. HESS is an example of
such system developed at the University of Houston in support of product
scheduling at major petrochemical refineries. It was found that HESS
accomplished task scheduling previously done by human experts on a more
consistent basis.
MINING
OPERATIONS
An
Expert system is also relevant in the mining industry. Experts systems are
used to replace limited number of human experts that assess the air quality
of mining operations. Based on the amount of coal and silica in the air,
mining operations must be adjusted to ensure that safety requirements are
satisfied.
SECURITY
SERVICES
Expert
Systems have also been used in security departments of organizations to
replace some operations of the human experts. These systems are used in
classification of task that is concerned with who is permitted to view a
document, and who is not as well as classifying documents as official and
personal.
This expert system can also be used to classify documents into confidential,
secret or top secret.
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