GIS stands for Geographic Information System and is a tool that links features on a map with underlying data. GIS development involves several different disciplines, including cartography, computer science, mathematics, database administration, and graphic design. This type of system requires three primary components: spatial data, hardware to store data, and software to query, display, and analyze data.
GIS is useful because it can be used to create 'smart' maps that can illustrate trends and patterns or answer spatially-related questions. GIS models can be used to quickly perform spatial queries, such as finding all the tax parcels within 300 feet of a building site or along a road. GIS can also be used as an analytical tool to determine appropriate schedules for road maintenance, look at demographics and voting trends, or determine critical habitat areas within a watershed. In addition, GIS provides the following capabilities:
- enables query and analysis of tabular and spatial data
- lowers costs by eliminating data redundancy
- promotes data sharing and integrated work flow between various departments and agencies
- enhances efficiency in customer services with faster data retrieval and map production
- supports decision making through enhanced analysis tools
In short, GIS provides several capabilities that enable organizations to work more efficiently and provide valuable services to their clientele. Pierce County uses GIS to maintain county-wide geospatial information systems for multiple departments and clients, produce beneficial spatial analyses for county projects, provide useful geospatial information to the public, and develop and maintain regional spatial datasets.
