Data Visualization: Now you see!

One way to comprehend and analyze the exponential volume of data is through the techniques like Data Mining. Until recently, one could only view the same data in varying formats that were static and non-visual. With the evolution of Data Visualization (DV) technology, data analysts can extend their intuitive abilities to visually interpret and actively interact with data by utilizing a user interface that exploits natural abilities in visual perception. DV tools enable non-technical users to understand data trends at both a high level, without getting their hands dirty with the actual numbers, and a detailed level through the capability of drilling down to specific information. While most business analytic tools offer only static tabular/pivot reports or at most some types of charts with very little scope of human interaction, Data Visualization offers interactive graphical capabilities that range from simple scatter plots to complex multi-dimensional representations that can be sliced and diced in multiple ways in real-time. Data visualization is essentially business intelligence taken a step further by making that information more logical and easier to understand through visualization techniques. Current data visualization leaders like Advanced Visual Systems Inc. (AVS), Antarctica Systems Visual Net and Spotfire DecisionSite offer further insight into data by demonstrating relationships that occur through multi-dimensional attributes and statistical patterns. This is an evolving field that shows much promise in the coming years in the enterprise analytics arena.

2004 Research Paper on Strategic Information Systems; R.H.Smith School of Business; Flanagan, Gera, Graves, Hersi, Patil, Yarnot