What are Spatial Decision Support Systems (SDSS) and how do they impact businesses?
SDSS combines traditional Decision Support System (DSS) concepts with spatially-referenced data and data analysis. Examples of spatial analysis tools included in SDSS are 3-D visualization, geostatistical modeling, and spatial network analysis. SDSS can be more effective by recognizing differences in the complexity of geographical tasks as well as users spatial abilities and fitting the tasks and abilities to the expected goals of performance and utilization, as seen in Chapter 7. SDSS leads to spatially-sensitive decision support. For instance, instead of locating a business facility based solely on non-spatial attributes of a ZIP code area, the decision can also include calculations of distance from other firm facilities and competitors, 3-D topography, proximity to highways, and commuting distances for employees. Q: How does GIS help businesses to market products and services? Marketing facilitates exchange of goods and services. Space is important in many aspects of that exchange.
