Geographical Information Systems

9 Pages 2130 Words

es, and universities throughout the world. Professionals in every field are increasingly aware of the advantages of thinking and working geographically. The GIS technology integrated with the Internet has given many professionals the ability too share information and educate themselves as well as those involved about this new innovative method of gathering information.
GIS five key components
Hardware, software, data, people, and computer system methods.
Hardware
Hardware is the computer on which a GIS operates. Today, GIS software runs on a wide range of hardware types, from centralized computer servers to desktop computers used in stand-alone or networked configurations. The computer systems are interconnected by way of an intranet (internal network) or globally utilizing the Internet.
Software
GIS software provides the functions and tools needed to store, analyze, and display geographic information. Key software components are
· Tools for the input and manipulation of geographic information
· A database management system (DBMS)
· Tools that support geographic query, analysis, and visualization
· A graphical user interface (GUI) for easy access to tools
Data
Possibly the most important component of a GIS is the data. Geographic data and related tabular data can be collected in-house or purchased from a commercial data provider. A GIS will integrate spatial data with other data resources and can even use a DBMS, used by most organizations to organize and maintain their data, to manage spatial data.
People
GIS technology is of limited value without the people who manage the system and develop plans for applying it to real-world problems. GIS users range from technical specialists who design and maintain the system to those who use it to help them perform their everyday work.
Methods
A successful GIS operates according to a well-designed plan and business rules, which are the models and operating practices unique to...