Explores the variety and richness of support systems as well as the wide range of users, problems, and technologies employed and illustrates how the concepts and principles have been applied in specific systems. Designed to be a primary text for understanding this continually developing field to help readers and practitioners understand the principles and concepts that guide the development and use of these systems. KEY TOPICS: The authors include the full range of systems and users, but with some extra emphasis on managers and their use of systems such as EIS, rather than an emphasis on management analysts who develop expert systems; integrated approach with articles from literature and special contributions solicited from leaders in the field; teaches readers how to develop applications in the real world.