After data have been processed, they can be presented to users in visual formats such as text, graphics, and tables. This process, known as data visualization, makes IT applications more attractive and understandable to users.

Data visualization is becoming increasingly popular on the Web for decision support. A variety of visualization methods and software packages that support decision making are available. Two particularly valuable applications are geographic information systems and reality mining.

Geographic Information Systems

A geographic information system (GIS) is a computer based system for capturing, integrating, manipulating, and displaying data using digitized maps.

Its most distinguishing characteristic is that every record or digital object has an identified geographical location.

This process, called geocoding, enables users to generate information for planning, problem solving, and decision making. In addition, the graphical format makes it easy for managers to visualize the data.

Today, relatively inexpensive, fully functional PC-based GIS packages are readily available. Representative GIS software vendors are ESRI (www.esri.com), Intergraph (www.intergraph .com), and Pitney Bowes MapInfo (now Pitney Bowes Business Insight www.pbinsight.com/ welcome/mapinfo).

In addition, both government sources and private vendors provide diversified commercial GIS data. Some of these GIS packages are free; for example, downloadable material from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI; www.esri.com) and http://data.geocomm.com.

There are countless applications of GISs to improve decision making in both the public and private sectors.

Reality Mining

One important emerging trend is the integration of GISs and global positioning systems. Using GISs and GPSs together can produce an interesting new type of technology called reality mining. Reality mining allows analysts to extract information from the usage patterns of mobile phones and other wireless devices.