Short-Essay Questions

Q1.  There are four data mining techniques: Estimation, Clustering, Classification and Affinity grouping.

A. Considering the famous hardware store “Home Depot,” provide a data mining example of your choice on using Estimation so it can increase its sales of hardware tools and machines.

B. Using the Classification datamining technique, provide a related example so “Home Depot” can improve its customer service.

Q2.  Many personal and business customers of XYZ supermarket have complained about the long wait times before they are served by its four (4) cashier-persons. Assuming you are the MIS consultant, and your task is to analyze the queueing process at the XYZ supermarket.

A. Please identify any four KPI (Key Performance Indicators) that should be gathered and analyzed to improve the efficiency of the queueing process in reducing service bottlenecks.

B. Select any two KPI of your choice to improve the effectiveness of the queueing process and explain them.

Q3.  Dr. Rosen runs a large U.S. dental conglomerate—Teeth Doctors—that staffs more than 700 dentists in six states. Dr. Rosen is interested in purchasing a competitor called Dentix that has 150 dentists in three additional states. Before deciding whether to purchase Dentix, Dr. Rosen must consider several issues utilizing the various existing information systems:

o The cost of purchasing Dentix.

o The locations of the Dentix offices.

o The current number of customers per dentist, per office, and per state.

o The merger between the two companies.

o The professional reputation of Dentix.

o Other competitors.

A. Using the DSS (decision support system), please identify any two related DSS examples that you feel will provide the necessary information to guide Dr. Rosen and Teeth Doctors to make an accurate business decision regarding the potential purchase of Dentix.

B. Using the CRM (customer relationship management), please identify any two CRM related examples that you feel will provide the necessary information to guide Dr. Rosen and Teeth Doctors to make an accurate business decision in regard to the potential purchase of Dentix.