GIS in business processes

The quality of management in modern society depends on a timely and many-sided decision process. Decisions must take account of many different aspects of every phenomenon and be founded on relevant and manifold data, which, in turn, must be available at any time and at the right place. Despite the development of various technologies, the data are still too often used as standard and spatially undefined tables and data sheets. The capacity for effective management and decision-making is therefore 'spatially' limited; in other words, the mutual interactions which form the physical perception of space are not considered to a sufficient degree.

The data needed for management and decision-making in the modern society include economic, social and spatial components. The spatial component gives the data a geographic location, which greatly enlarges their applicability. Geolocated data can be computer-processed by geographic information system (GIS) technologies. During the process, the data are modelled into various types of presentation, which provide information for making the right decisions. Information can be presented in tables, data sheets and reports, with spatial relations between the data and enhanced with two- and three-dimensional presentations. Geolocated data have become an indispensable basis of effective management and decision-making in all business processes which include the spatial component.

OUR WAY OF WORK

IGEA has participated in many projects of the transmission of spatial data and their incorporation into business processes. It is the use of geolocated data in business processes and their increasing usefulness to the general public that could lead to better and faster decisions. The emphasis is therefore not on the technology, which is of course necessary, but on the correct identification of the user's needs.

In integrating geographic information systems into decision-making processes, a multi-stage approach is needed: from an overall conceptualisation of the system to the re-engineering of business processes, developing software solutions, training, etc.

Speaking from experience, we can say that the applicability of geographic information systems in business processes is on the increase. This could be confirmed by our clients both on the institutional level (the national and local levels) and on the level of private companies.

OUR SERVICES

Our services in the field of spatial data used in business processes include:

• identification of user needs,
• acquisition of spatial data,
• data geolocation,
• preparing relevant information/documents for the needs of management and decision-making process,
• development, upgrading or re-designing of business processes and information systems with the spatial component,
• training,
• etc.