GIS is computer
software that links maps (geography) with information (data). This allows you to map, analyze, and assess
real-world problems. The key word to this technology is Geography – this means
that the data (or at least some portion of the data) is spatial, in other
words, data that is in some way referenced to locations on the earth. Coupled
with this data is usually tabular data known as attribute data. Attribute data
can be generally defined as additional information about each of the spatial
features. An example of this would be schools. The actual location of the
schools is the spatial data (so the school is a spatial feature). Additional
data such as the school name, level of education taught, student capacity -
would make up the attribute data. It is the partnership of these two data types
that enables GIS to be such an effective problem solving tool through spatial
analysis.
GIS in
Government and Municipalities
Government organisations and municipalities
manage projects and assets (infrastructure). Some of the biggest impediments to
effective governance have been identified as a lack of coordination and
information sharing. For spatial features such as the location of
projects and assets, GIS is the perfect tool for understanding and
managing your projects and assets, and also for sharing that information
between organisations. If you are not using some form of GIS to manage and
share project and asset information, you are not actually managing your
projects and assets, or sharing your information as required.
An
effective GIS system structure
Keep it simple. In the Eastern Cape
especially, the critical part of GIS is finding the right staff. Don't be sold
on an expensive solution you wont be able to find/afford staff to maintain.
The diagram below is a simple enterprise level
GIS structure, showing the basic components. Remember, storage for the large
GIS datasets is often overlooked.