Description

In this globalising and competitive business environment, the value of location as a business measure is fast becoming an important consideration for organisation. GIS with its capability to capture, manage, display, and analyse business information spatially is emerging as a location intelligence tool. Today, many kinds of industries are employing GIS as an integral part of their business processes. Examples of the use of GIS in business are: • Market Analysis Which is the company’s market share in different geographical areas? Where are the customers located? What are the characteristics of customers in different geographical locations? Are there potential customers and where do they live? • Site Selection Where are the shops or branches of the company located today? Where are the competitors located? What would be the surrounding market area for a new location? What are the socio-economic characteristics of the people living in this market area? Will the establishment of a new shop interfere with the existing shop owned by the company? Are the land prices in different areas suitable for building a new shop? • Sales territories Which the company’s present division into sales territories? What kind of customers live in these districts and how much is sold? Is there a need for more salesmen in any district? Could redistricting lead to more efficient sales organisation and less travelling time for the salesmen? • Distribution and travel costs How can the distribution system be made more efficient? In what way does the transport system influence the distribution and how does it restrict or facilitate expansion in the region? Can the number of journeys made by company staff be reduced by applying route planning software? Are there any alternatives to our present distribution system? • Analysis of the global environment and new export markets What is the general economic and spatial pattern in the region? How good is the infrastructure? How is the population distributed geographically? Which other companies are present in the region and where are they located? Is this region a potential export market for the company’s products? This course provides students with an introduction to practical applications of GIS in business operations. Emphasis will be placed on (i) locating, acquiring and integrating business data into GIS, (ii) understand the principles and methodologies of the geocoding process, (iii) become familiar with geovisualisation, spatial analysis and location modelling techniques, and (iv) explore the technologies and possibilities of server-based and/or web-based GIS analysis for Business Intelligence.

Learning Outcomes

Graduate Learning Outcomes

Disciplinary Knowledge, Multidisciplinary Knowledge, Interdisciplinary Knowledge, Critical thinking & problem solving, Innovation and enterprising skills, Collaboration and leadership, Communication, Understanding of global and Asian perspectives, Understanding of sustainability issues, Self-directed learning

Competencies

Data Analytics, Data Design, User Interface Design, Computer Vision Technology, Data Visualisation