What are Geographic Information Systems (GIS)?

The key to unlocking the power of Geographic Business Intelligence is to integrate Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology into your business.

A GIS is a system for management, analysis and display of geographic knowledge, which is represented using a series of information sets – such as maps, processing and work flow models, data models and metadata.

Simply put, a GIS combines and visualises layers of spatial information about a location to give you a better understanding of events/assets/interrelationships at that location.

What layers of information you combine depends on your purpose – finding the best location for a new store, analysing environmental damage, viewing similar crimes in a city to detect a pattern, and so on. 

A GIS can produce information that answers specific questions and allows you to share that information with others. By visualising relationships, connections, and patterns in data, you can make informed decisions and increase efficiency throughout your organisation.

Next...

• Find out why geography is the missing link in BI
• Discover how GBI can deliver value business-wide