DSS – Decision Support Systems

The function of DSS in precision farming is a very hard topic to be explored, but one that is extremely important for its uselfuness. Drawing inspiration from Buridan’s ass paradox in the quote, it is essential first of all to highlight a key factor for the proper management of the farm: the decisionsto be taken to respond to any emergencies and/or changes in the pre-established plans.

So far, choices have been made using established practices, but relying exclusively on traditional methods could compromise the harvest.

Due to drastic and sudden climate changes, technological evolution and innovation in cultural practices are no longer an option, but a necessity that allows the farmer to be competitive, not passively suffering adversities.

In the case of the paradox mentioned above, the farmer, in ass’ shoes, would have taken a repetitive decision: he would always have chosen the same pile because his father or his neighbours did and do so. A technical look would have allowed him to notice the presence of another heap perhaps with a higher energy input: the aim of DSS is nothing more than to describe the characteristics of each heap of hay, (which must be taken by technicians and farmers), but providing support to it.

The effects of an incorrectly considered choice can have a negative impact on the farm by compromising: the harvest, profits, employees’ wages and the survival of the farm itself.

Science and statistics have undermined magic and chiromancy by creating a crystal ball 2.0: the DSS.

DSS – WHAT DO THEY WANT TO SOLVE?

In order to better understand where to apply these instruments and thus solve the problem, it is necessary to create classes to highlight important structural differences by grouping the problems into:

  • Structured: Procedures for getting the best solution are known,
  • Semi-structured: The way to the best solution is partially known. Both standard procedures and feasibility assessments (category of difficulties that DSS can face for agriculture) need to be used,
  • Unstructured: resolution methods are not known.

The decision to be taken must carry with it a conscious and irrevocable response, for a correct allocation of resources.

The analysis of decisions is a methodology and a set of formal tools for:

  • providing support for communication between decision-makers (farmer) and analysts (technician),
  • suggesting coherent decisions with the objectives of the decision-maker and correctly incorporating the available information,
  • leading to clear and binding implementation actions.

DSS are able to support technicians and farmers in the analysis of decisions to be taken.

Why use DSS in precision farming? The advantages are several:

  • They support the farmer or technician in maintaining control over all variables necessary to assess decisions;
  • They help the farmer or technician by providing numerical forecasts, even in the very short term;
  • They can be managed remotely;
  • They store all information by creating a historical database.

DSS – WHAT ARE THEY?

DSS can be compared to files that automatically collect, organise, interpret and integrate information. Useful data can be drawn from them, suggesting the most appropriate actions to respond to different crop needs, whether they are long-term strategic or tactical decisions to be taken in the short term.

A Decision Support System (DSS) is a computer architecture able to assist the user by providing him with a valid support, a tool that can not work without a decision-maker to provide guidance on:

  • the availability of all information necessary for understanding the problem;
  • the possibility of exploring data from different points of view and according to the user’s needs;
  • the possibility of assessing the scenarios resulting from the choices made.

The close correlation between the system and its user makes it necessary to have a strong customization regarding the various types of decisions and data coming from different sources. The DSS must be flexible and dependent on the case study.

CATEGORISATION

Professor Daniel J. Power, “Univerisity of Northen Iowa”, in the essay Decision Support Systems: Concepts and Resources for Managers, published by DSSResources. COM., has grouped together the DSS driven into:

  • DATA: they work on large amounts of data, interacting with structured databases, Data Warehousing and On-Line Analytical Proceing (OLAP).
  • MODEL: they contain parameters useful to the decision-maker, but do not manage a large amount of data; they include financial, process, representative or optimization models.
  • KNOWLEDGE: they use knowledge bases by interacting with the Managers and highlighting critical issues and then propose solutions and suggestions; closely related to data mining.
  • DOCUMENT: innovative type of DSS designed to support Managers in the search, classification and management of unstructured documents through web pages, such as procedures, catalogues, historical documents, minutes and correspondence.
  • COMMUNICATION: interactive systems aimed at solving problems through group work and choral decisions, using communication technologies and decision making models.
  • INTERORGANIZATION: oriented towards consumers or suppliers of a company, such as access to an intranet by stakeholders.
  • WEB BASED: in this case it is not referred to a specific category, but to a characteristic that can be present or interact with all the classes described above.

DSS designed for agriculture, due to their sectoral specificities, integrate different models for the complex needs of the farmer 4.0, representing the flywheel for the future.

Do you want to find out how we use these technologies in the Agricolus platform?