GIS and Maps - The Road Ahead

GIS is the buzzword today. It is being said that GIS will be the backbone of all business in future. What is GIS? The acronym stands for Geographic Information System. So in its crude form it is an information system or in simple words a kind of database. If you think it to be a database of sorts then you are right. But then what would Geographic mean in the GIS? To put it simply, an information system which is based on maps and locations or linked on earth co-ordinates is a GIS.

So to say, a Google Map which gives you directions from various locations; say your own home to your friends home is a GIS. Yes it is a GIS, because it gives you the details as a map and details too. It also tells you if the road is one way and congestion on various routes. Then you may ask which is the best way to reach in the least time; GIS has the answer. It will generate the route on the map with your key locations which will take the shortest time. In all probability, you have already used Google Map or some similar mapping website for planning a route for you.

We will take another situation. You are traveling from Washington DC to San Francisco. You decide to take a snack break of one hour after every 250 to 300 miles and rest for the day after 600 to 700 miles. You plan your journey meticulously, picking various Motels and Hotels along the route. This may take about a week or more, speaking to hotels, finding out about vacancy and then booking with them.

Now a GIS solution which is linked to hotels, snack bars, gas stations and other utilities would require few parameters from you. The start of journey, kind of route (scenic, Freeways, toll roads or no toll roads), breaks (after every 250-300 miles, snack preference Big Mac, KFC, Veggies), hotels (five star, four star or motels, budget), meal preference (veg, non-veg, organic, low carb) and other details. Within a few minutes you have a choice of itineraries to choose from. You would say it is just the database solution. No, it is GIS solution. Here your route is planned in a manner that every 250-300 miles you have restaurants for a break with your choice of food. Every 600 to 700 miles, a choice hotel or motel is selected depending upon your guidelines.

No big deal, any one can plan such a trip. Why do I need GIS? If everything goes as per plan, but what if midway, your car breaks down. You lose three to four hours in repairs or some other emergency. You cancel bookings, find fresh ones, deal with your emergency and so on. But a GIS solution, punch in a few keys, and few minutes later, your custom contingency plan made for you.

GIS will pervade our lives in the coming years in a big way. The utility of GIS is not just in hospitality but in all sectors from electric supply to internet service providers, from emergency medical aid to fire stations and so on. Looking for a career change, business expansion, great ideas; think GIS.

Anu is a freelance mapping and GIS professional. She has been making maps for more than a decade. She can be reached for a map work at info@mapsandlocations.com and promapper@gmail.com.Visit http://www.mapsandlocations.com for some samples. Or you want to interact on how to get a great map designed for your website or want some low cost, almost free maps, just get in touch.

Article Source: Anu_Mohan

Tags:Emergency,Geographic,GIS,gps,Hotel,Information,Locations,maps,Planning,Routes,System,travel

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