This indicates the true underlying SNMP data type (such as integer, octet string, counter32, or truth value) that the accompanying data-value field represents, since that field itself is always encoded as plain text within the notification. Administrators' monitoring software uses this type indicator to correctly parse and interpret the data-value field - for instance, knowing to treat it as a numeric gauge versus a plain string. A value of gauge32 tells a receiving management application to interpret the accompanying data value text as a Gauge32 reading rather than, say, a display string or truth value.