Impartida por James Pick, Profesor Visitante de la Universidad de Redlands

Abstract
Geographic information systems (GISs) are growing rapidly in the business world, with estimates of a two billion dollar market that is growing. A GIS performs mapping and spatial analysis and is linked to a database. The basic structure and functions of a GIS is discussed. The techniques and methods of spatial analysis are reviewed ranging from buffers and overlays to advanced examples of location quotients and trade area analysis with the gravity model. GIS can be regarded as a spatial decision support system (SDSS). It is associated with neighboring technologies of GPS, mobile devices, and remote sensing. GIS is extending into location-based services and electronic business. The opportunities to do research on GIS are large and the IT academic field is recognizing GIS to a greater extent in conferences, journals, and books. Some examples of recent research include a study of GIS applied to real estate valuation, spatial analysis for adoption/diffusion of retail loyal-customer programs in a metropolitan area, and GIS in health care services. Ideas for GIS in business research are discussed, to encourage ITAM investigators to enter this field of investigation.
The seminar is partly based on a book GIS in Business, James Pick (editor), Idea Group, 2004, in press.