Application of geographic information system to distribution information support - Discussion

This paper states a distribution information support system (DISS). The system provides an environment for building a distribution database which includes both the graphic and alphanumeric data. The database can be used for inventory, facility management, engineering analysis, and map productions. Facility data or network model can be retrieved from the database. The retrieved data can then be used by application programs. With a good man-machine interface (MMI), graphic output or text reports can be viewed from the graphic screen on-line. A good DISS could also produce a practical result for strategic decisions by considering land use, value, zoning, as well as other physical restrictions. These physical restrictions are not easy to quantify, and are awkward to model with mathematics. ©1995 IEEE.