GIS Software

As with other information technology, GIS must be implemented in a manner that easily allows applications to support your organization's work flows and business requirements.

How to Choose

By following the 10-stage implementation process outlined here, you should have a good idea of what GIS software best meets your needs. The software you choose depends on the information products you want, your data requirements, and the functionality requirements you discovered during the Determine Technology Requirements stage.

Basic things to consider include:

• Will I be successful if I use this software from this vendor?
• Is the software based on common IT standards?
• Will support be adequate from the vendor?

What Every GIS Platform Should Have

GIS software can be increasingly thought of as IT infrastructure for assembling large, sophisticated multiuser systems. Look for a GIS platform that provides all the capabilities necessary to support this vision:

• Geographic database to store and manage all geographic objects
• A Web-based network for distributed geographic information management and sharing
• Desktop and server applications for
  • Data compilation
  • Information query
  • Spatial analysis and geoprocessing
  • Cartographic production
  • Image visualization and exploitation
  • GIS data management
• Modular software components (engines) to embed GIS logic in other applications and build custom applications
• Geographic information services for multitier and centralized GIS systems
• A comprehensive GIS platform that meets all geographic requirements