Geographic Geographic Information Information

SystemsSystemsDustin, Jacob and MaksDustin, Jacob and Maks

How does How does GIS work?GIS work?

GIS in GIS in BusinessBusiness

How do we How do we use it?use it?

Relating information from Relating information from different sourcesdifferent sources

Different kinds of data in map form can be Different kinds of data in map form can be entered into a GIS entered into a GIS

Digital satellite images can be analyzed to Digital satellite images can be analyzed to produce a map of digital information about produce a map of digital information about land use and land cover land use and land cover

How can a GIS use the How can a GIS use the information in a map?information in a map?

The answer is data capture The answer is data capture – Maps can be digitizedMaps can be digitized

Hand-tracing with a computer mouse on the Hand-tracing with a computer mouse on the screenscreen

Digitizing tablet to collect the coordinates of Digitizing tablet to collect the coordinates of featuresfeatures

Electronic scanners can also convert maps to Electronic scanners can also convert maps to digitsdigits

– Coordinates from Global Positioning System (GPS) Coordinates from Global Positioning System (GPS)

receivers can also be uploadedreceivers can also be uploaded

Data IntegrationData IntegrationA GIS integrates information that is difficult A GIS integrates information that is difficult to associate through any other means.to associate through any other means.– GIS can use combinations of mapped GIS can use combinations of mapped

variables to build and analyze new variables variables to build and analyze new variables

Projection and Projection and RegistrationRegistration

Information in a GIS comes from existing mapsInformation in a GIS comes from existing maps

– Projection: Mathematical way of transferring Projection: Mathematical way of transferring information from the Earth's three-dimensional information from the Earth's three-dimensional surface to a two-dimensional medium. surface to a two-dimensional medium.

– Uses computer processing power to transform Uses computer processing power to transform digital info, gathered from sources with digital info, gathered from sources with different projections, to a common projectiondifferent projections, to a common projection

– Registration: Information is manipulated so Registration: Information is manipulated so that it fits with other map informationthat it fits with other map information

Data StructuresData Structures

Vector Data FilesVector Data Files– Look like traditional Look like traditional

hand-drafted maps. hand-drafted maps. Vector digital data Vector digital data have been captured as have been captured as points, lines, or areaspoints, lines, or areas

Raster FilesRaster Files– Raster data files consist Raster data files consist

of rows of uniform cells of rows of uniform cells coded according to data coded according to data values.values.

GIS in BusinessGIS in BusinessGIS are typical in business and GIS are typical in business and management operations around the management operations around the globe in organizations as diverseglobe in organizations as diverse as: as:

– City and state governmentsCity and state governments – Utilities & telecommunicationsUtilities & telecommunications – Railroads & civil engineeringRailroads & civil engineering – Petroleum exploration and retailingPetroleum exploration and retailing – Private and public sectorsPrivate and public sectors

GIS is about to move globally as the GIS is about to move globally as the demands on GIS and business as a demands on GIS and business as a whole is fast changing. whole is fast changing.

It is no longer just in the routing It is no longer just in the routing problems but in:problems but in:– Warehousing Warehousing – Mining Mining – Visualization Visualization – Enterprise Resource Planning Enterprise Resource Planning – E-Commerce E-Commerce

GIS can also improve such function asGIS can also improve such function as::

– Target marketing Target marketing – Customer service Customer service – Demand forecastingDemand forecasting– Property management/real estate market Property management/real estate market

share analysis share analysis – Merchandise planning Merchandise planning – Distribution logistics and many more areasDistribution logistics and many more areas

There are also problems with GIS. There are also problems with GIS. Some examples are:Some examples are:– Availability of dataAvailability of data

The most detailed street maps are not always The most detailed street maps are not always available for use to the general public and GIS available for use to the general public and GIS systemssystems

– Quality of the dataQuality of the data Data that is available from private parties or Data that is available from private parties or government agencies is often questionable. government agencies is often questionable. Streets are found missing, new buildings and Streets are found missing, new buildings and changing landscapes are frequently not changing landscapes are frequently not updated. updated.

– Cost of its productionCost of its productionNot everyone can afford a custom GIS Not everyone can afford a custom GIS

– Shortage of knowledgeable staffShortage of knowledgeable staff

How do we use How do we use GISGIS

A graphic file linked to an attribute database A graphic file linked to an attribute database - - Example: migration routes of caribou and polar Example: migration routes of caribou and polar bears bears

- De-conflict - De-conflict

Map MakingMap MakingEliminating developed areasEliminating developed areas

PollutionPollution

Heavy deposits of sand/gravelHeavy deposits of sand/gravel

Bed rock depthBed rock depth

Saturation thickness greater than 40 ft.Saturation thickness greater than 40 ft.

Land use exampleLand use example

GIS holds tremendous potential for:GIS holds tremendous potential for:– Improving productivityImproving productivity– Credibility- More efficientCredibility- More efficient– Profitability of any organization. Profitability of any organization.

GIS adds meaning to GIS adds meaning to – DataData turns into turns into

Adequate quality Adequate quality InformationInformation for making a more for making a more educated decision.educated decision.

This results in This results in KnowledgeKnowledge

Key TakeawaysKey Takeaways

The Appeal and The Appeal and Potential of GISPotential of GIS