What is GIS?

 

   A geographic information system (GIS) lets us visualize, question, analyze, and interpret data to understand relationships, patterns, and trends. GIS benefits organizations of all sizes and in almost every industry. There is a growing interest in and awareness of the economic and strategic value of GIS.

 GIS is a System of computer software, hardware and data, and personnel to help manipulate, analyze and present information that is tied to a spatial location – • spatial location – usually a geographic location • information – visualization of analysis of data • system – linking software, hardware, data • personnel – a thinking explorer who is key to the power of GIS

Application fields

​In natural environment

• Land- & forest management

• Nature conservation and habitat modelling

• Land use management

• Ground water and inland

• access water modelling

• Emission-/Immission modelling

• Flood management

In human environment

• Regional and urban planning and management

• Landscape planning

• Tourism

• Cadastral services and land inventory

• Logistics

• Demography

• Infrastructure management

• Disaster management

• Crime analysis

• Navigation

Better Decision Making

 

   GIS is the go-to technology for making better decisions about location. Common examples include real estate site selection, route/corridor selection, evacuation planning, conservation, natural resource extraction, etc. Making correct decisions about location is critical to the success of an organization.

Managing Geographically

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GIS is becoming essential to understanding what is happening and what will happen in geographic space. Once we understand, we can prescribe action. This new approach to management—managing geographically—is transforming the way organizations operate.