What is a GIS

A geographic information system (GIS) is a computer system that uses locational information:

• address
• postal code
• census block
• latitude and longitude coordinates

With a GIS, you can:

• map customers to study demographics
• look for patterns in the way a disease is spreading
• model the path of atmospheric pollution
• and much more

A GIS can also map information stored in:

• spreadsheets
• databases

GIS allows you to see:

• patterns
• relationships
• trends

GIS gives you an entirely new, dynamic perspective on your information and helps you make better decisions.
You don’t use a GIS:

• simply to make static maps
• it is a dynamic system
• select and remove any criteria to map
• analyze how different factors affect your model or analysis.

GIS can answers questions like:

• “Where are my best markets?”
• “Is the competition growing?”
• “What are the best sites for expansion?”
• “How can I better serve my customer?”