Data vs. Information  Data: raw facts or measurements  Information: collection of facts organized/processed in such a way that they have value beyond the facts themselves. –Adds meaning or context to achieve goal of user.

What is Information?  Information is the derivative of manipulating, organizing, summarizing, and presenting data in a form suitable for decision-making or further analysis.

Principle  MIS: The value of information is directly linked to how it helps decision makers achieve the organization’s goals

The “Information Spectrum” .Omniscience .Wisdom .Knowledge .Information . Data

Info Characteristics ANALYSIS TECHNIQUE  Affect value of information  Different attributes more important at different times or different applications  Trade-off between attributes

Accurate  Error free –measured correctly –Entered correctly –Interpreted correctly  GIGO –Program should verify data.

Complete  Has all important facts or data fields needed to achieve goals of IS.  Student records system: –Name, SSN, GPA, payments, course grades

Economical  Worthwhile to collect, buy or produce  “Value” of information vs. cost –What if “tip sheet” cost $1000 ? Better be accurate and reliable!

Flexible  Can be used for a variety of purposes  supports different IS users goals  easily transformed to another use  Transferable to another application or use: Inventory levels used by: –Sales staff, purchasing, production

Reliable  Always accurate/available – not just sometimes  can be depended on  quality is consistent

Relevant  Important to decision maker –(not extraneous)  captures important aspects of model  can be used to problem at hand  Remove non-relevant items from screens

Simple  Easy to understand  Easy to manipulate

Timely  Delivered when it is needed  Maximizes value  Relevant in time: still contributes to goals of organization

Verifiable  Can check to see if correct  Has other sources or can be “proved”

Accessible  Can be retrieved in reasonable time in correct format

Secure  Only authorized users can access easily  Protected from damage (backed up)

What is GIS?  A Geographical Information System (GIS) is a compilation of computer hardware, software, data and personnel that  collects, analyzes and presents information that is tied to a geographic location.

What is GIS?  Converts data into visual form  Links geographical data with descriptive data and forms the information into layers  The layers create themes that represent particular features on a map and, when combined, form a complete picture.

Three Types of Data  Spatial –Made up of points –lines and areas: –Points- locations: buildings, customers etc. –Lines- streets, rivers. elevations –Areas- polygons representing states, counties, market areas etc.  Tabular –Lists, spreadsheets and databases –Can be linked to spatial data –Sales to a region  Image –Satellite images, aerial photographs and scanned data –One layer –Cannot be broken down

Data Models  Vector –x,y coordinates –Interconnected coordinates represent the shape of a feature. –Highways, rivers etc.  Raster –Matrix of cells with values –Satellite imagery –Color-coded to create a 3 dimensional image (elevations)

GIS Uses  Business Placement  Law enforcement  Emergency Response  Census/Demographics  Marketing  Pollution remediation  Medical (disease epidemiology)  Facility management (utilities) &Much More!

Links   ESRI ESRI  MapInfo MapInfo  NYS GIS Clearinghouse NYS GIS Clearinghouse