EIS

(1) (Executive Information System) An information system that consolidates and summarizes ongoing transactions within the organization. It provides top management with all the information it requires at all times from internal and external sources.

EIS Vs. DSS
The terms EIS and decision support system (DSS) are often used synonymously; however, an EIS implies more of a war room style graphical interface that overlooks the entire enterprise. A decision support system (DSS) typically provides a spreadsheet style "what if?" analysis capability, often for only one department or one product at a time. LightShip and Forest & Trees are examples of EIS software that popularized the concept. The EIS systems in the 1980s were the progenitors of the business intelligence (BI) software in the 1990s. See DSS, EII and BI software.

(2) (Enterprise Information Services) The back-end layer where the traditional data processing occurs in an organization, which includes the databases, mainframe and ERP applications.

(3) (EIS International, Inc., Herndon, VA) Founded in Connecticut in 1980 by Robert Jesurum, EIS became a leading provider of advanced technology solutions for call centers worldwide. The firm's call center workstations and predictive dialing software were used in a wide variety of industries, including finance, telecom and cable, publishing and market research. In 2000, EIS became a subsidiary of German-based SER Systeme AG, and in 2002, a management buyout created the independent SER Solutions, Inc. with headquarters in Dulles, VA. Private investment firm The Gores Group acquired SER in early 2006. For more information, visit www.ser.com.