Spatial Analysis and Information Visualization: using Geographic Information System for Competitive Intelligence

Many have argued for the inclusion of geographic information system (GIS) into the IS/IT cur-riculum because of its on-going wide spread use. We present GIS as a strategic tools for the intelligent use of information. At least from one perspective, GIS is a database system with a specialized graphical user interface, along with a tool set for information processing dealing with spatial relationships. We discuss application cases of using GIS in visualization of spatial data and spatial analysis of information. The future trends of dynamic map rendering and provision of these functionalities on the web are then briefly introduced. Our emphasis is the generic usefulness of GIS and its significance in the current and future IS/IT curriculum devel-opment. We believe this is pertinent at such a time when the competitive advantage of IS/IT in business is changing from efficient data storage and effective data access to the intelligent use of information