GIS Mapping: It's a Whole New World

Mapping has taken on the perspective of a whole new world, as GIS enters the global scene. In case you haven't left your own corner of the globe lately, you may not be aware of the fact that GIS mapping is now being used in just about every facet of our life.

GIS mapping is a technological tool that allows users to manage, analyze and disseminate information regarding geography. While GIS mapping is generally thought of as containing map related details, in reality it contains much more than just maps. The data that makes up GIS mapping also contains geographic data sets such as topographies, surveys and terrains as well as data models. All of these elements play a key role in developing a network of comprehensive information that can be used in multiple and varied aspects.

When the space shuttle Columbia crashed over East Texas in early February, 2003; GIS mapping proved to be critical in navigating the dense forests in order to make recovery of the crew members and space shuttle components possible. Without this kind of technology it would have been quite difficult to navigate such a difficult terrain and recover all the parts necessary in order to formulate a final decision regarding the cause of the fatal crash.

While GIS mapping has been used by the military and other US government agencies for the past few years, the application and potential use for GIS mapping in all walks of life are just now coming to light.

For example, financial analysts have discovered that they can utilize GIS mapping in order to target their markets more efficiently with a visualization of service needs. Some of the big names in insurance that incorporating GIS into their spectrum of market tools include Chase Manhattan Bank and Metropolitan Life.

GIS mapping has also proven to be quite beneficial to companies that rely on daily route deliveries and scheduling. A utility company in South America quickly caught on to the fact that the implementation of GIS mapping would allow them to increase the number of deliveries they made each day without the need to hire more personnel.

Several large media groups, such as The Associated Press and the National Geographic Society are using GIS mapping in order to analyze their circulation and relay updated news to the public regarding emergency services.

In real estate, success has always been about location. With the introduction of GIS mapping into the real estate industry, companies are now able to utilize the technologically advanced maps that are made possible through GIS for the purpose of real estate marketing. Now, regardless of where a prospective customers happens to be at the moment, they have the ability to shop for their new home and view updated listing and location information.

Retail businesses have also found that GIS mapping has the capability of improving and increasing their edge of market share as well. Numerous retail outlets are using GIS mapping as a way to improve and track deliveries as well as create maps that can be used in a variety of ways, such as promotional materials.

These aren't the only avenues that GIS mapping has found its way into, either. The fields of education, environmental management and conservation as well as natural resources are all now taking advantage of the numerous benefits provided by GIS mapping.

While GIS mapping provides a wide range of advantages, it is not necessarily a walk in the park to implement. Depending on the size and structure of your organization, you may be able to implement GIS mapping more or less quickly. The best strategy is to engage an expert consultant to design a GIS mapping system that will meet your unique goals and needs.

About The Author:
Jason Petrina is the Editor and Publisher of Article Click. For more FREE articles for your ezine and websites visit - www.articleclick.com