Visualize location data and generate actionable insights with customizable analytics tools
The Dashboard & Reports Module is an essential component of RTLS-powered Digital Twin systems that transforms complex location data into actionable insights through intuitive visualizations and comprehensive analytics. By providing stakeholders with real-time visibility into operations, historical trends, and predictive analytics, this module enables data-driven decision making across all levels of the organization.
According to the Data Management Association (DAMA) International's Data Management Body of Knowledge (DMBOK), effective data visualization and reporting are critical components of the data value chain, enabling organizations to derive actionable insights from raw data. In the context of RTLS, dashboards and reports serve as the primary interface between complex location data and the business users who need to make informed decisions based on that data.
Display real-time and historical location data on interactive 2D/3D maps following OGC standards for spatial data visualization
Track and visualize KPIs related to location-based operations using standard business intelligence methodologies
Analyze location data over time to identify patterns and trends using established time-series analysis techniques
Generate tailored reports for different stakeholders following IBCS (International Business Communication Standards)
Enable users to explore data through dynamic filtering and drill-down capabilities based on OLAP (Online Analytical Processing) principles
Configure threshold-based notifications for key metrics and anomalies using standard event processing models
Research published in the International Journal of Business Intelligence Research and IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics highlights several benefits of implementing dashboards and reports in location-aware systems:
↓ Information Search Time
Reduction in time spent searching for information
↑ Decision-Making Speed
Improvement in operational decision-making speed
↑ Resource Utilization
Increase in resource utilization through better visibility
The Business Application Research Center (BARC) notes in their annual BI Survey that organizations implementing business intelligence solutions achieve significant improvements in data-driven decision making and operational efficiency. The IEEE Pervasive Computing Special Interest Group further documents that location-based analytics enable more effective resource management and process optimization.
The Data Warehousing Institute (TDWI) recommends implementing data aggregation, filtering, and caching strategies to manage the high volume of location data generated by RTLS systems. Organizations should establish data retention policies that balance analytical needs with system performance.
The International Business Communication Standards (IBCS) Association provides guidelines for effective data visualization that emphasize clarity, consistency, and context. Research from the IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics recommends using progressive disclosure and role-based views to manage complexity in location-based dashboards.
The Data Management Association (DAMA) International emphasizes the importance of data validation, cleansing, and confidence indicators in business intelligence applications. For location data, this includes accounting for positioning accuracy and addressing potential gaps in coverage.
Manufacturing organizations implement location-based dashboards to monitor and optimize production processes. The Manufacturing Enterprise Solutions Association (MESA) International documents use cases for RTLS-based analytics in manufacturing environments.
Logistics providers leverage location-based dashboards to optimize warehouse operations and distribution networks. The Warehouse Education and Research Council (WERC) publishes best practices for location-aware analytics in distribution centers.
Healthcare organizations use location-based dashboards to improve patient flow and asset management. The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) provides frameworks for implementing location analytics in healthcare settings.
Research from the IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics and the International Journal of Geographical Information Science identifies several categories of visualizations commonly used in RTLS dashboards:
| Visualization Type | Description | Common Applications |
|---|---|---|
| Spatial Maps | 2D or 3D representations of physical spaces with overlaid location data | Asset tracking, zone occupancy, movement patterns |
| Heat Maps | Color-coded representations of data density or intensity across space | Traffic analysis, dwell time visualization, congestion identification |
| Flow Diagrams | Visualizations of movement patterns and transitions between areas | Process analysis, workflow optimization, bottleneck identification |
| Time-Series Charts | Graphs showing location-based metrics over time | Utilization trends, performance tracking, comparative analysis |
| Relationship Networks | Graphs showing connections and interactions between tracked entities | Contact tracing, collaboration analysis, resource dependencies |
1. Data Management Association (DAMA) International. (2017). "DAMA-DMBOK: Data Management Body of Knowledge." 2nd Edition. Technics Publications.
2. International Business Communication Standards Association. (2020). "IBCS Standards 1.2: Rules for the design of comprehensible business communication."
3. IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics. (2021). "Special Issue on Spatial Data Visualization." Volume 27, Issue 2.
4. Business Application Research Center (BARC). (2023). "The BI & Analytics Survey 23: The world's largest survey of BI software users."
5. Open Geospatial Consortium. (2019). "OGC Moving Features Encoding Extension - JSON." OGC Implementation Standard.
6. Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society. (2021). "HIMSS Analytics: Location-Based Intelligence in Healthcare."
7. Warehouse Education and Research Council. (2022). "WERC DC Measures: Industry Metrics for Warehouse and Distribution Operations."
8. Manufacturing Enterprise Solutions Association International. (2020). "MESA Analytics That Matter: Metrics for Manufacturing Operations."
9. International Journal of Geographical Information Science. (2022). "Advances in Movement Data Visualization." Volume 36, Issue 4.
10. The Data Warehousing Institute. (2021). "TDWI Best Practices Report: Data Management for Analytics."
Based on research from the Business Application Research Center (BARC):
Any RTLS with consistent data quality
ETL/ELT pipeline for data transformation
Time-series and spatial databases
Interactive charting and mapping libraries
Responsive dashboard framework with role-based access
International Business Communication Standards (IBCS)
Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) Standards
ISO 8601 Date and Time Formats
W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)
DAMA Data Management Body of Knowledge (DMBOK)
Contact an RTLS expert to discuss how the Dashboard & Reports Module can transform your location data into actionable insights.
Contact an RTLS Expert