Geographic Information System (GIS) is a system intended to capture, store, manipulate, analyze, manage, and present all types of geographical data. In the simplest terms, GIS is the merging of cartography, statistical analysis, and database technology.

A GIS can be thought of as a system—it digitally creates and manipulates spatial areas that may be for jurisdictional purpose or application-oriented. Generally, a GIS is custom-designed for an organization. Hence, a GIS developed for an application, jurisdiction, enterprise, or purpose may not be necessarily interoperable or compatible with a GIS that has been developed for some other application, jurisdiction, enterprise, or purpose.

GIS is a relatively broad term, which can refer to a number of technologies and processes, so it is attached to many operations; in engineering, planning, management, transport/logistics and analysis.

Benefits of GIS
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, in part because of more standards-based technology and greater awareness of the benefits demonstrated by GIS users. The number of GIS enterprise solutions and IT strategies that include GIS are growing rapidly. The benefits of GIS generally fall into five basic categories:

• Cost Saving from great efficiency
The system is used to improve daily fleet activities and maintenance schedules. In implementing the system it may cost great savings in operational expenses, staff time and have an efficient scheduling.

• Improve communication
Visualization and Geographical based maps assist in storytelling and understanding situations. This is used to improve communication between different departments, discipline, organization, professional fields, public and teams.

• Managing Geographically
The system is needed to understand what will happen and what is happening in geographic field.

• Better geographic information Records Keeping
Many organizations have a primary responsibility of maintaining authoritative records about the status and change of geography (geographic accounting). Physical geography examples include forest inventories, biological inventories, environmental measurements, water flows, and a whole host of geographic accountings. GIS provides a strong framework for managing these types of systems with full transaction support and reporting tools. These systems are conceptually similar to other information systems in that they deal with data management and transactions, as well as standardized reporting (e.g., maps) of changing information. However, they are fundamentally different because of the unique data models and hundreds of specialized tools used in supporting GIS applications and workflows.

• Decision making becomes better
GIS is known for go to technology, for it makes better decision about area and location. Making right decision about certain location is hard and critical. Common examples include real estate site selection, route/corridor selection, zoning, planning, conservation, natural resource extraction, etc. People are beginning to realize that making the correct decision about a location is strategic to the success of an organization. That is why GIS is used to help and give an idea to formulate better decision to implement.

Applications of Geographic Information System (GIS)
• Surveying
Surveyors depend on a variety of software and technology to gather existing information, collect new information, analyze data, produce plans, manage projects, and deliver accurate data. Geographic information system (GIS) technology brings this functionality and more to one place, providing a central location to conduct spatial analysis, overlay data, and integrate other solutions and systems. GIS is built on a database rather than individual project files, enabling surveyors to easily manage, reuse, share, and analyze data, saving them time. Surveyors play a central role in a range of government agencies and private organizations, from planning and construction to engineering and land boundary determination. GIS solutions are interoperable with the many data formats used in the field and office, allowing surveyors to provide data to various agencies in the required format while maintaining the data’s core integrity.

• Health Sector
GIS plays a critical role in determining where and when to intervene, improving the quality of care, increasing accessibility of service, finding more cost-effective delivery modes, and preserving patient confidentiality while satisfying the needs of the research community for data accessibility.

In 1854, an English physician, John Snow, provided the classic example of how mapping can be used in epidemiological research. He identified the water source responsible for an outbreak of cholera in London by mapping the locations of those afflicted. GIS has continued to be used in public health for epidemiological studies. By tracking the sources of diseases and the movements of contagions, agencies can respond more effectively to outbreaks of disease by identifying at-risk populations and targeting intervention. Public health uses of GIS include tracking child immunizations, conducting health policy research, and establishing service areas and districts.

GIS can also be used in health facilities mapping, citing of new facilities and the accessibility of these facilities.

• Business and Commerce
GIS can help in meeting your customers needs better, making better decisions that increase your profitability and this can be done by understanding the “where” in your data. You can rely on GIS to help you help your customers. By accessing, managing and understanding information based on location; visualize data through a single platform using mapping interfaces that can be molded to fit the needs of every user; Map and analyze information for better rate quotes, faster service, and a healthier business.

In building a better supply chain with location intelligence, the GIS platform lets you track vehicles, inventory, and equipment in real-time with ease. You can streamline deliveries, cut costs, and improve customer satisfaction. GIS maps and analysis let you see your supply chain in a new light with increased visibility and insight across all levels of your operation.

Also, keeping up with change in the digital age requires a solid gold strategy. Bank customers have more choices today: alternative payments systems, mobile banking, and new services such as deposits with mobile phones. You can take charge of this change by geoenabling your processes. According to a BAI 2013 study, banks that rely on location-based analysis run more efficient branches with higher profits and deposits. They also attract more households that open new checking accounts. Why? Location analysis gives you new insight. Intelligent maps supply powerful analytical tools that can help you answer the tough questions.

• Real Estate
Whether you work for a commercial real estate agency, multiple listing service (MLS), home builder, or property management department in a corporation, GIS brings the geographic advantage to you. Location drives the real estate industry. It's not just about finding any site but finding the best site. Real estate companies count on GIS technology to deliver the results they need. By analyzing data around locations—demographics, aerial photographs, traffic counts, shopping center usage, merchandise potential data, and competitive influences—they can find properties to match exacting specifications. GIS helps the real estate industry to analyze, report, map, and model the merits of one site or location over another. From identifying the best fit for new commercial development or matching a homebuyer's decision criteria to managing a property portfolio, GIS delivers the answers needed to make the best choice in real estate.

Revenue can be increased, operations and maintenance cost can be reduced when GIS is used to help manage space. Real estate and property managers can see and make queries about space including its availability, size and special constraints for the most cost effective use.

• Oil and Gas
In terms of exploration, GIS Transform exploration and production information into actionable intelligence. GIS shows data within a geographic context so you can identify leads, prospects, and new business opportunities. By combining operational data with consistent, systematic, and rigorous evaluation procedures, you will have a comprehensive foundation for decision making. Share the evaluation results via easy to use web apps that enable team members to understand a play, see what needs to be done, and make quality choices.

Due to the fact that petroleum production operations are complex and dynamic, there is the need to configure well pads, manage work orders, and monitor schedules. These need a real-time dashboard that provides current status in spatial context—on a map. GIS makes it possible. Access this data anytime, anywhere, and on any device via a common operational platform for business. Also GIS help in creating and managing your pipeline network from field to refinery requires powerful analytical modeling. Geospatial technology helps you accurately calculate construction costs, safely assess HCAs, and efficiently conduct maintenance. When you keep tabs on the condition of a pipeline and the environment it runs through, you stay ahead of the maintenance curve and keep your oil and gas flowing.

Also, vast infrastructure, harsh environments, and complex regulations make operating and maintaining a refinery difficult. GIS helps you plan, operate, and maintain refining operations effectively. Before you build, accurately assess the cost and geographic feasibility of a possible refinery site. Fine tune refinery operations using a GIS platform that includes user friendly executive dashboards. Monitor your oil production and distribution infrastructure. Stay ahead of trouble and quickly respond by using a common operating platform.

• Land Use Planning
GIS promotes a good public image of a planning department. Equipped with GIS tools , staff members can quickly access information on parcel maps, such as environmentally sensitive areas, and all matters concerning the implementation of zoning, permit status, and other planning information. Comprehensive Planning Planners use GIS to prepare plans, which set the standard for policy decisions regarding long-range changes to a community’s physical environment. Planners make use of GIS to smooth the progress of citizen participation and community input as they develop a vision for the community that enhances the quality of life for all citizens. GIS tools help planners analyze problems more quickly and thoroughly, formulate solutions, and monitor progress toward long-term goals for the community. Planning Agencies GIS is also used at planning agencies to conduct environmental review of projects; development review, analysis, and compliance; historic preservation; and redevelopment, as well as regional planning, as more planning agencies seek to coordinate planning efforts to minimize negative impacts on neighboring communities. In many cases, planning agencies are also using GIS Web services to coordinate planning and economic development initiatives. By integrating and organizing information spatially, planners can get a broad view of the current situation and more accurately assess the future. GIS software can analyze more scenarios more quickly, giving decision makers more choices.

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• Crime
Whether the problem is tactical, strategic, or administrative, any data containing location information can be displayed and analyzed using geographic information system (GIS) technology. GIS is an essential part of a crime analyst’s toolkit—your means of creating valuable information for your officers in the field. By incorporating traditional law enforcement data with data such as demographics, infrastructure, and offender tracking, you can use GIS to transform information into actionable intelligence. You can improve critical decision making in a rapidly changing environment and have a direct impact on the safety of your officers and the citizens you serve. Every crime problem is related to some location, whether it’s an address, street, ZIP Code™, or district. GIS can help you leverage the locational aspect of your data to analyze, understand, and build solutions to the problems you face.

GIS aids crime analysis by:
• Identifying and highlighting suspicious incidents and events that may require further investigation

• Supporting pattern and trend analysis across multiple jurisdictions

• Enhancing the implementation of various policing methodologies to reduce overall crime and disorder

• Integrating traditional and nontraditional law enforcement data to improve overall analysis

• Educating the public with visual information to clarify crime concerns and enlist community action

• Providing tools and techniques to capture crime series and forecast future crime occurrences

• Environmental Impact Assessment
EIA is an important policy initiative to conserve natural resources and environment. Many human activities produce potential adverse environmental effects which include the construction and operation of highways, rail road’s, pipelines, airports, radioactive waste disposal and more. Environmental impact statements are usually required to contain specific information on the magnitude and characteristics of environmental impact. The EIA can be carried out efficiently by the help of GIS, by integrating various GIS layers; assessment of natural features can be performed. Environmental impact costs can be substantial. Visualizing data in GIS allows you to manage health, safety, and environment (HSE) areas better. For instance, adding freely available environmental datasets into a site location study broadens your understanding of HSE risks. Furthermore, specialists and inspectors are more accurate when they have access to detailed and up-to-date mapping and inspection data.

• Logistic
A modern corporation must keep on the move not just figuratively, but literally to be successful. That’s why transportation and logistics professionals all over the world have embraced geographic information systems (GIS) technology as a powerful tool for managing, planning, evaluating and maintaining their operations. It is an art to get the right things to the right place at the right time and each corporation’s transportation and logistical needs vary. This includes business travel for executives, managers, sales and service personnel, as well as the shipping of materials to customers that can spend significant time in transit. All of these activities involve logistics and a constant shifting of locations. Therefore, GIS technology becomes the ideal tool to make operations run smoothly and efficiently. “Through utilizing real-world GIS techniques, spatial modeling and GIS packages, these tools can aid a company in decision-making so that the business runs efficiently without compromising on quality customer service. This enables them to realize a significant cost savings in the process.

Beyond a list of maps and highlighted routes, GIS helps a company pull together important disparate information to better manage what it does at each location. This is done by integrating data from geospatial content such as maps, images, applications and other geographic information commonly used for planning, deploying, operating and optimizing transportation and logistical systems.