Planning support systems are a class of decision support systems that planners employ to help ensure they consider all viable options, weigh their potential value correctly, make and present recommendations, and make sound decisions. Planning support systems are a complement to, not a substitute for, individual and team skills and judgment. These support systems should be interoperable to ensure transparency of planning efforts across jurisdictions. Planning support systems include: Communication Systems. Supporting communications systems must handle data, video, and voice, and process classified and unclassified information. Planning Tools. Planning tools fall into two categories--automated and manual. (1) Automated Planning Tools. Local systems should, to the maximum extent possible, be compatible with networked systems. Standardized firewalls, access protocols, and common software should be maximized. At the least, local systems must be worked to a common understanding and differences accommodated well in advance of need. (2) Manual Planning Tools. Manual planning tools should be available to and understood by as much of the planning community as possible. Niche systems that are understood by only a small pocket of planners generally lead to misunderstanding and confusion in the rest of the community, which leads directly to disjointed action. (FEMA, (Interim) Integrated Planning System (IPS) for Homeland Security (Draft Version 2.3), July 3, 2008 copy, pp. 2-11 - 2-12)