Big enterprises utilize in general a number of disparate applications across their process value chains.

The integration of these individual modules / applications or subject areas differs and allows no comprehensive and valid predictions across all processes. By means of analytic tools not only can descriptive analysis be carried out but also predictive analysis or future forecasts simulation be carried out.

Another influential aspect is the availability of cheap mass storage. Companies can store and retrieve from endless data stores and archives. The IT industry is now using the terminology zettabytes instead of terabytes. The emergence of mass storage calls for new data models and analytical methods which can handle such volumes in real time. This is also why visual analytics is becoming the choice of analysts. The research industry sees visual analytics as the key in solving this problem.

In this approach data is stored in it's original form. The approach combines established analytical practice with the cognitive capabilities of human beings. Humans perform better when it comes to recognizing visual patterns and interactively changing the illustrations instead studying endless columns of excel sheets.

Typical areas where these technics are utilized:

• Struggle against international crime and terrorism
• Identification of money laundry
• Visualization of stock markets and transactions