GIS (geographic information system) Software
A GIS or Geographic Information
System is a system that is designed for capturing, presenting, managing,
analyzing, manipulating, and storing every type of data. In this technology,
Geography is the keyword which means that a certain portion of the data is
actually spatial. This data is together with the attribute data that is also
known as tabular data. This data can be simplified as additional information
about spatial features. Schools would be the example of this as the location of
a school is the spatial data. Meanwhile, attribute data includes the student
capacity, educational level, and school name. The partnership of these two
types of data allows the Geographic Information System to be so effective (Fu & Sun, 2010).
What can be done with GIS (geographic information system)?
Geographic
Information System can be utilized as a tool in both decision making and
problem solving techniques. It can also be used in visualizing the data in a
spatial condition or environment. Therefore, geospatial data be used for
determining the location of various features, where some features exist, the
magnitude of features in a certain space, what is taking place in a given area,
and how a certain area has changed (Wheatley & Gillings, 2013).
Using the GIS, it becomes easier to
map the spatial presence or location of real features while visualizing the
spatial relation between them. Quantities can be mapped with it like where the
least and the most are, to find the places which are fulfilling their
requirements. It can also be used for mapping densities as sometimes it is very
significant to map a quantity which is normalized by total number or area. GIS
can be used for determining just what is happening in a certain region. It can
also be used for finding out just what is transpiring within a chosen distance
of an event by mapping the nearby places (Wang, et al., 2012).
Common GIS (geographic information system) Solutions
There
are various commercial GIS solutions available at the moment. Some of them are:
1. (geographic information system) ArcGIS
In
1970s, Esri entered the geospatial scenario and advanced rapidly in the market
of GIS software. Ever since they have started, they haven’t looked back and
developed the most fine-tuned and innovative ArcGIS software. It wouldn’t be
wrong to say that this software is the most efficient one in the industry. Using
this software gives access to ArcScene and ArcGlobe which bring objects in a
different 3D interface and making them seem real. Moreover, ArcEarth has an
innovative interface that is similar to Google Earth (Scott & Janikas, 2010).
2. (geographic information system) Geomedia
Actually,
there has always been a strong competition between the ArcGIS and Geomedia.
Military, infrastructure, and governmental groups are using this application
due to its solution-driven method. Geomedia is quite a flexible solution and
the rendering is quite beautiful, powerful, and accurate. It has various smart
data validation and capture tools as data integrity is critical to every
company. This software also has cadastral data management which enables robust
and complete commands (Lapenta, 2011).
3. (geographic information system) MapInfo
Professional
When
it comes to proprietary GIS software, MapInfo Professional has actually come a
long way. It focuses clearly on location intelligence while locating optimal
positions for stores and uncovering geographic patterns. It also helps in
improving the risk of insurance with insurance mapping. The philosophy for
MapInfo is that usability is what leads to productivity. Its cartographic
output is quite effective and is smarter with scale bars, legend, and labeling (Österman, 2014).
(geographic information system) Global
Mapper
Originally,
USGS developed the Global Mapper and has evolved into a commercial software of
GIS competing with other applications. This application is actually flexible
enough for satisfying advanced and beginner GIS users. Some of its enhanced
tools involve LiDAR handling, watershed delineation, and 3D rendering. This
software provides effective interoperability and map publishing techniques in a
map viewer interface. Various geospatial formats are read by it.
(geographic information system) Mainfold
GIS
Mainfold
GIS has an interactive interface that enables the users to work seamlessly in a
GIS environment of 64-bit. It is a mix of image processing, DBMS, CAD, and
mapping. Moreover, it is stable with various operations. Even though it is
limited on cartography options, some effective map projects can still be
delivered.
Walmart Using the geographic information system software
Walmart
Inc. actually engages in wholesale and retail operations in many types of
formats globally. Three segments are used by the company for operating which
include Sam’s Club, Walmart International, and Walmart U.S. The organization
operates convenience stores, discount stores, drugstores, e-commerce websites,
warehouse clubs, hypermarkets, supermarkets, and supercenters. The company
provides frozen, dairy, bakery foods, natural and organic, meat products, and
many other (Chan & ed, 2011).
Technology of (geographic information system)
Walmart
seems to use ArcGis as a GIS software since it helps in overlaying spatial
information along with other research on market to determine the best locations
for buying land and placing a store.
Which areas use (geographic information system)?
Actually,
there are different areas of the organization that seem to rely on this
software because it provides valuable information. For instance, the marketing
department uses the data it provides to determine the area which could be the
best for advertising. Furthermore, it delivers the information which the CEO
needs to understand just where a store could obtain optimal success. It
delivers the information which is necessary for managing the supply chain since
it is used for tracking the number of steps and distance between the store and
the dock. It allows the company to enhance the routes to the dock of shipping.
Benefits of (geographic information system)
Walmart depends on ArcGIS for
determining the areas where the store could achieve optimal success without
suffering a substantial loss. Additionally, it permits the organization to
choose the best routes to the dock of shipping while tracking the number of
time a product is touched. Lastly, geospatial data is used by Walmart for
analyzing the transportation routes for its trucks, which helps in keeping the
costs of transportation down and selecting the best schedules of drivers.
Present and Future Impacts of (geographic information system)
It
can be seen that at present, GIS technology is converting asset management and
supply chain along with just how modern maps and cartography rely on it. It
helps companies in expanding their business while keeping the loss at minimum.
The future of GIS seems to be present in the virtual reality and augmented
reality. As these fields grow, developers will be integrating GIS in them.
Expansion of business (geographic information system)
If
the company continues to use GIS technology as it is getting more
sophisticated, it might be able to manage the assets along with supply chain
very well. Furthermore, if the company relies on the indoor mapping aspect of
GIS technology, it will be able to focus even more on safety when it comes to
emergency responders. Walmart can certainly get to new areas and find the
locations which can prove to be better for the company (Sherrouse, Clement, & Semmens, 2011).
References of (geographic information system
Chan, A., & ed. (2011). Walmart in China. Cornell
University Press.
Fu, P., & Sun, J. (2010). Web GIS: principles and
applications. . Esri Press.
Lapenta, F. (2011). Geomedia: on location-based media, the
changing status of collective image production and the emergence of social
navigation systems. Visual Studies, 26(1), 14-24.
Österman, A. (2014). Map visualization in ArcGIS, QGIS and
MapInfo.
Scott, L. M., & Janikas, M. V. (2010). Spatial statistics
in ArcGIS. Handbook of applied spatial analysis, 27-41.
Sherrouse, B. C., Clement, J. M., & Semmens, D. J.
(2011). A GIS application for assessing, mapping, and quantifying the social
values of ecosystem services. Applied geography, 31(2), 748-760.
Wang, M., Bai, Y., Chen, W., Markert, B., Peng, C., &
Ouyang, Z. (2012). A GIS technology based potential eco-risk assessment of
metals in urban soils in Beijing, China. Environmental pollution, 161,
235-242.
Wheatley, D., & Gillings, M. (2013). Spatial
technology and archaeology: the archaeological applications of GIS. . CRC
Press.