The visualization of data has emerged as a key scientific discipline in response to the growing volume of information generated by computational calculations. The discipline is divided into two branches: Scientific Visualization, which represents data derived from scientific experiments on physical processes, and Information Visualization, an extension of Human-Computer Interaction designed to interpret and understand data through graphics. 

Throughout history, especially since the 18th century, there has been a growing interest in developing effective methods for the visualization of information. The evolution of these techniques, as shown in the following image, has advanced significantly, constantly improving thanks to technical sophistication. 

Thanks to technological advancements in recent decades, the field of visualization analytics (Visual Analytics) has emerged, defined as the science of analytical reasoning facilitated by interactive visual interfaces. This innovative discipline merges visualization and data analytics, integrating elements from both Information Visualization and scientific visualization. Its main distinction lies in the use of various techniques (such as 2D/3D graphics, geometric transformations, and hierarchical images) and visualization tools (like tag clouds, motion charts, or dashboards). 

Industry 4.0, digitization, and transition to “Smart Factory”

At the beginning of the 21st century, digitization is booming, driven by trends such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Smart Cities, and Industry 4.0. This digital era has led to the massive generation of information and databases of all kinds. This is why technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and Big Data are projected as very powerful tools for extracting value from this information. These technologies allow the combination of unstructured and structured data, offering unprecedented flexibility. This benefits sectors such as physical and social sciences, finance, e-commerce, and industry, turning data into knowledge that improves decision-making and creates innovative customer experiences. 

What are data visualization tools?

The data visualization tools are applications and software designed to transform complex information into intuitive and easy-to-understand graphical representations. These tools enable users to create diagrams, graphs, maps, and interactive dashboards that reveal patterns and trends in large datasets.

For a visualization tool to be effective, it must consider the cognitive and perceptual properties of the human brain. Visualization enhances the clarity and appearance of the presented information, with objectives such as: identifying hidden patterns or anomalies, increasing flexibility in value searching, comparing data, and facilitating human interaction in real-time.

Benefits of data visualization

In the industrial sector, the incorporation of IoT sensors is optimizing data collection during production processes, from the exploitation of data from machines and production lines to entire factories.  

The visualization of data can significantly improve efficiency, centralize monitoring, and provide real-time information for more agile decision-making. Among its key applications are:

• Through self-service analytics, it improves production, reduces production costs and material spending, identifies bottlenecks, anticipates stock shortages, and improves lean manufacturing processes. 

  
  

• By extracting and blending data from various sources, it facilitates the prediction and optimization of the operations and sales plan.

• Understanding customer demand by knowing what they are looking for.

  
  

IMMERSIA's Commitment to Innovation in Data Visualization

IMMERSIVE ANALYTICS

At IMMERSIA, we are aware of the need to apply advanced data visualization techniques in the era of Industry 4.0. With our extensive experience in this field, we have developed TOKII, a platform that not only integrates digital twins and emerging technologies but also stands out for its intuitive interfaces and visualizations designed to be effective at the cognitive level. 

TOKII, with its advanced technologies, takes data visualization to a new level known as Immersive Analytics. This discipline represents an evolution of Visual Analytics. With our digital twin software TOKII, we ensure that companies can not only see their data but also interact with it more intuitively and effectively. By combining virtual reality and other immersive technologies, TOKII transforms the complexity of data into valuable information that drives real-time decision-making. For us, the key is to make technology and imagination work together, creating new ways to visualize and process data. 

References:

• The Value of Data Visualization

• Data Visualization

• Data Visualization: What You Need to Know to Present Data Simply

• Data Visualization for Beginners

• Types of Data Visualizations