Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Joshua Heimroth Peter Meisburger

What Is GIS? Considered to be a Direct Support System (DSS), which has all of the features of a DSS system but also incorporates computer graphics. Considered to be a Direct Support System (DSS), which has all of the features of a DSS system but also incorporates computer graphics. Definition of GIS Definition of GIS

What does GIS consist of? Four main components which are software, hardware, data, and the users Four main components which are software, hardware, data, and the users Software packages are very expensive and vary in performance Software packages are very expensive and vary in performance The actual hardware can consist of anything from personal computers, plotters, GPS, digitizers, and mainframes The actual hardware can consist of anything from personal computers, plotters, GPS, digitizers, and mainframes

Brief History of GIS Been around as long as the early 1960’s (maps and charts) Been around as long as the early 1960’s (maps and charts) Wasn’t until the late 1980’s and early 90’s that GIS developed into a technology Wasn’t until the late 1980’s and early 90’s that GIS developed into a technology Tremendous growth in the 1990’s Tremendous growth in the 1990’s Many companies are using GIS today Many companies are using GIS today

Uses of GIS and GIS technology Zoning of land Zoning of land Banking needs for certain cities Banking needs for certain cities Choosing locations for retail stores Choosing locations for retail stores Determining soil contents of land Determining soil contents of land

Uses of GIS continued In management of wildlife and state parks and the impact the environment is having on these areas In management of wildlife and state parks and the impact the environment is having on these areas Most efficient vehicle routes for distribution of goods and services Most efficient vehicle routes for distribution of goods and services Real estate Real estate

Question for the class What do you think the future of GIS is and what impact will it have on future generations? What do you think the future of GIS is and what impact will it have on future generations?