GIS

What is a GIS?

A geographic information system (GIS) is used for storing, analyzing, displaying, retrieving, and managing various geographic and spatial data types. This software manipulates spatial data to produce maps and 3D models, assisting the user in identifying patterns and relationships in the GIS data. 

GIS software is used across industries as it is instrumental in facilitating informed decision making by analyzing environmental, topographic, and demographic data. 

GIS Software

Software that mention gis as a feature or term.

Esri ArcGIS

QGIS

MapInfo Pro

Maptitude

ArcGIS Online

Google Earth Pro

Types of GIS

Based on the deployment type, GIS software can broadly be classified into the following:

• Desktop GIS: Desktop GIS illustrates the real world on a PC or Mac screen, just like physical maps illustrate the world on paper. Such tools are best suited for creating, editing, visualizing, analyzing, and managing geospatial data. This software is slightly more complex than other types of GIS solutions. Desktop GIS is intended for use by professionals with relevant training and experience. A desktop GIS typically can be used by only one user at a given time.
• Web GIS: Web GIS uses web technology to communicate between a client (e.g., web browser, desktop, or mobile application) and a server. Web GIS solutions are easier to operate compared to their desktop counterparts. Non-traditional users without much expertise in using GIS software can also analyze and draw insights from geographical data using this tool. This tool is available for use by multiple users simultaneously, improving performance and scalability.

Additionally, GIS data can be broadly categorized into the following two types based on their format:

• Spatial data: Spatial data, also known as geospatial data or geographic information, represent all kinds of data that reference a particular geographical location or area on the earth's surface, directly or indirectly. This data is stored using the following formats—vector and raster.
• Vector: Vector data contains graphical representations of the real world. The three significant vector data types include points, lines, and polygons.
• Point data is commonly used to represent data points that are not connected. This kind of data has no dimensions and thus cannot be used to measure length or area. For example, point locations may represent city locations or place names.
• Line (or arc) data represent linear features that only have one dimension and thus help measure length. Examples of line data would include rivers and streets.
• Polygons are enclosed areas formed by connecting lines on a map that represent dimensions such as the boundaries of towns and cities, lakes, or forests. This type of data has two dimensions and can be used to measure the area and perimeter of a geographic location.
• Raster: Raster data contains information presented in a pixel grid. Every pixel within a raster has a value that can denote anything from a unit of measurement to color or information about a particular element. In general, raster refers to imagery, but in terms of spatial analysis, it frequently refers to an orthoimage, which is an aerial photograph or satellite imagery.
• Attribute data: Attribute data, also referred to as tabular data, contains information linked to the spatial data that describes geographic features. This type of data may be qualitative or quantitative or both in nature and contains graphic information related to a point, line, or area components in a GIS.

Benefits of using a GIS 

GIS software benefits companies of all sizes across industries. With the growing number of GIS users, there has been an increasing interest in and awareness of the value of this tool. Following are some of the benefits that users can reap by deploying this software:

• GIS mapping: It refers to feeding layers of data to the GIS software to create maps. Maps help users visualize information by transforming data into intelligible information that can be comprehended easily.
• Environmental monitoring and management: GIS software can assist with effective environmental data analysis and planning. It offers visualization capabilities to view and analyze geographic features and the relationships that impact a given environmental condition. This tool can also display and analyze aerial imagery to provide environmental analysts with landscape data. GIS software can also be used to obtain a clear and comparative view of areas prone to environmental hazards such as floods to allow the concerned departments to take action to safeguard those areas. The tool is instrumental in various areas of environmental management, including air pollution control, disaster management, natural resources management, forest fires management, remedial measures for oil spills, and more.
• Transportation management: GIS software aids with managing transportation issues. Real-time satellite images of highways display areas experiencing challenges. Feeding environmental data and information on highway structures into the GIS database allows transportation companies to plan and optimize routes quickly. GIS databases also contain information on different transport structures, which help government agencies to roll out regulations and spread public awareness about using certain transport facilities. It also helps to identify accident-prone areas to determine the causes of accidents. 
• Urban planning: Geospatial data available through satellite imaging and remote sensors simplifies urban planning by enabling users to examine urban areas for planning and development. A GIS platform pulls together vast amounts of information to resolve complex issues such as analyzing the feasibility of a waste disposal site.

Impacts of using a GIS 

The following are some of the impacts of using GIS:

• Improved decision making: GIS provides the data required to make quick and informed decisions in a comprehensible format. A GIS offers profound insights into data, such as patterns, relationships, and situations helping users make informed decisions.
• Higher efficiency and cost savings: Availability of geographic insights help in lowering operation costs by facilitating quick decision making and risk management. Real-time data from sensors and location-based analytics from IoT devices provide relevant data to improve efficiency.
• Organized information: The GIS platform offers an intuitive interface to display information and helps manage large datasets allowing users to organize data, maps, and other vital resources effectively.
• Improved communication: ​​GIS helps in the creation of interactive maps that assist in storytelling, thereby enabling users to comprehend situations effectively and thus improving communication among various teams, departments, specialties, professional fields, companies, and the public.

GIS vs. location intelligence

Location intelligence or spatial intelligence software is a business intelligence solution that utilizes geographic data such as traffic, weather conditions, and demographics to derive meaningful insights and determine the relationship between objects based on their physical locations. The software helps users draw patterns and identify trends through location analytics using density analysis, distance and travel data, and geospatial mapping for determining terrain.

While GIS and location intelligence software serve similar purposes, there are stark differences between the two. GIS typically makes use of geographic data sets exclusive to the organization. On the contrary, location intelligence software utilizes data from open sources, real-time data, large datasets from devices connected to the internet, sensors, and various sources nonexclusive to the organization. 

Location intelligence software employs a modern approach and new methods to analyze location-related data for predicting trends and enhancing business productivity, while GIS analysis provides a historical snapshot of geographic data. 

The organization doesn’t need an expert to utilize location intelligence tools. The software can readily be used by data scientists, policymakers, analysts, and fieldworkers. GIS software is used mainly by professionals who underwent proper training and certification.