Home PC Repair 101: Understanding The Fundamentals

Very few things in the world exist in isolation. Consequently, geospatial information systems often tell you a lot about a topic. If you're unsure whether GIS technology solutions will be valuable in your use case, it can be helpful to look at its successful applications. These 7 use cases represent some of the most common in the world of GIS.

Development

Before a company starts a development, they need to literally know the lay of the land. Is the property worth developing? Will it require infrastructure improvements? How much engineering will be involved? Many developers lean on GIS technology to answer these questions and guide their work.

Biology

When it comes to biology, people tend to focus on living things and their internal workings. However, living things also have rich lives that occur in the surrounding space. If you look at the migratory patterns of birds, for example, you can get a sense of their physiology just by figuring out how they can survive such journeys. Oftentimes, GIS solutions prompt biologists to ask questions they hadn't previously considered.

Government

Especially at the local level, GIS technology solutions are essential. Suppose a city needs to economize its fire protection coverage. GIS tools allow them to study where the greatest needs are, what existing coverage is available, and how responders perform. Taking a geospatial view may allow a government to use limited resources more efficiently and capably.

Agriculture

Growing crops is a fundamentally geospatial undertaking. Even within a single farm, there may be zones that would perform better for one crop versus another. Identifying where plants will do best may be the difference between turning a profit or selling the farm.

Energy

GIS solutions have guided the energy industry since the first person marked a mine on a map. With the advent of alternative energy systems, GIS methods have only become more important. Maximizing output and minimizing drops with solar, wind, and water power solutions requires tight planning. GIS technology allows planners to identify the optimal locations for energy production.

Insurance

Every location has inherent risks, but these vary from site to site. Insurers need to know what the likelihood of long-tail events might be. The determination regarding how high a 500-year flood might rise in a location may dictate whether the property is insurable or not.

Communications

With wireless systems becoming dominant, communications providers need to know where they can provide coverage. When a cell phone company installs a tower, for example, they have to think about how surrounding geographic features will inhibit signals.

For more information about GIS technology, contact a technology specialist in your area