The Geographic Information Systems - Essay Example

? “GIS is dead: long live GIS" Introduction Before discussing the present of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), it is important to understand the scope and functions of this great information service provider mechanism. The use GIS in the recent years has grown beyond the wide spheres of mapping and aiding the policing to multiple levels of advantages to the economic world. Since the human community is directly influenced by the changing seasonal climatic variations, the function of GIS in weather forecasting is prominent in the detection and estimation of unfavourable changes in weather conditions. GIS is the most reliable system that can be used in the field of exploration of landscape maps for the purpose of crime-zone detection and early identification of vulnerabilities to the society caused by human interference. It is also a great monitoring infrastructure for ascertaining the possibilities of unfriendly changes of the troposphere which may result in volcanoes, earthquakes or landslides. The system helps the entire agriculture sector by providing timely information on possible threats of atmospheric changes whereby the farming sector can be precautious about their losses in advance. Moreover, it helps in areas like space research, telecommunication, navigation and fisheries besides the most popular use of spatial data service. While considering the importance of GIS in the normal life and occupation of human being, it is difficult to believe that GIS is dying and that it needs any resurrection. The Survival Test Even as the debate over the existence or expiry of GIS persists, it is clear that the system is widely used as a plat form for analysis of various features important for policy formulation and decision making by the governments of different countries today. In a generalised opinion, “geographical information is defined as georeferenced data that have been processed into a form that is meaningful and of real or perceived value to decision-makers” (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2010). Therefore, it is implied that the existence and the utility of the GIS operation tools are directly depended on how effectively they are applied in the process of human activities ranging from environmental administration to town planning. Some of the people, however, believe that GIS a mere word processing tool. But the areas of evaluation and the amount of knowledge applied in the operation of the system states that it more profoundly a worldwide monitor than a mere desktop device. The purpose of its installation and the scope of its operation in general were to aid the digitalised mapping of geographical locations in the initial phase. From there, it has spread its tentacles to almost every aspect of information related to the earth and the space. The undoubted accuracy of the spatial information given by GIS the basic guideline for the processing of data modeling in the construction of dams, bridges and roads now. The scope of GIS in compilation with development of computer technology is boundless and therefore, the users need a specialised knowledge level to understand its functions and operations in differently required fields. Until recently, the emphasise for GIS in information technology was really awesome; but the excessive commercialisation and unskilled application of the software has resulted in GIS gaining a doubtful approach about its feasibility in the future. A major deviation from the initial purpose of the inception of GIS has created skeptical damage to the standards of this system in the recent past. The commercial viability of GIS products – the hardware, software or data for digitalised information trade has attracted the eyes of many business promoters who lack the real sense of ethics. Substandard development of such products cost the grace of the original purpose of GIS and as a result, many of the users have come down to a stage where they compare the spatial data with computer aided designs. However, GIS data is still prominent in wide areas of developmental activities like forestry and township designing because the users are after a general tendency of running after the shortcuts rather than studying the actual facts about the locations themselves. The Scope of GIS From the angle of technology, GIS has already found its domineering position in the spatial data processing venture. The ability of this system to integrate, analyse, interpret and store the data collected from various sources for the purpose of remote sensing and digital mapping is a proven fact. However, several potential operators of information technology use the service of GIS only for their supplementary purposes while giving priority to other substitute software tools in their operation. On the other hand, the importance of GIS as an enabling tool for developmental researches in geographical studies is on an increasing trend as the students and professionals use this system as a platform for their researches. The limitations they point out about the functioning of GIS is that they are required to gather larger amounts of data than the system can provide in completing a statistical analysis of the spatial data in connection with their required field of excellence. What all can be read from the total scenario is that GIS has yet to develop majority of its technical areas related graphical presentation of spatial data from the present stage of providing photographic images as output. The increasing demand for graphically designed geographical data processing for constructive human activities surely alarms that GIS must be modified with more spheres of information management for its better identification among other substitute software products. Some experts are of the opinion that “there also exists a need to develop appropriate data strictures and data models for the handling of 3-D and temporal data within GIS, and legitimate and substantial research questions surrounding the use of expert systems and artificial intelligence” (Reader, n.d). Whatever may be the studies say, the present position of the world of information technology, particularly about the aspects related to presently available systems, GIS continues to hold its position as a leading device for operational activities related to crime management, transportation and urban development activities with equal importance in natural disaster management and the assessment of forest areas and water resources. Also in business organisations, the peripheral application of GIS can stimulate their growth rate by rendering prompt and adequate information without time lapse. According to certain findings, “businesses use GIS to help them increase revenue and because it helps them make their business processes more efficient.” (Thomas & Ospina 2004, p.xv). From every business angle in the present world, the major aspect of profitability is the efficiency of the management to save time and effort, because saving time is saving money. For instance, the substantial help of GIS in real estate and other construction business can cut down the cost occurred in land surveys and weather observations. Also, industries and dealerships engaged in seasonal produces can easily make plans based on the expected outcomes from the GIS reports related to weather and other situations which may badly affect the procurement of commodities and can take necessary actions to avoid loss. Future GIS Considering the vast scope of its functioning and the increasing demand for geographical information in the daily life of human being, the future of GIS does not seem to be at stake. Governments of all scientifically developed countries have identified geotechnology as a new term and field for research and development. An advanced integration of GIS with GPS has already made its way through the industries of automobile and telecommunication. Moreover, the hospitality and tourism industries and transporter firms require the new GIS tools to administer their operations in a very smooth way. At the moment, GIS systems are developed with higher level picture quality and in addition, the application of 4D imaging stimulates the growth of demand for improved GIS technology in the field of commercial and defense activities. It can be expected that, in the future, GIS may be attached to robotics and the system may function more or less similar to the artificial intelligence – from virtual reality to estimated reality; and from still photographs to live areal videos. Many scholars are optimistic about the boundless possibilities of GIS in the future with integration of internet for the collection and distribution of data. Although the future of GIS is safe in the coming years with a multi-spectrum advancement featuring most possible functions, observers like Montgomery et al (2004, p.151) criticize that the application of GIS technology in normally functioning organisations of individuals with limited knowledge about it may not be effective, and at times, it may even be a severe challenge. Conclusion In an over view, the discussions about the feasibility and challenges in the application of GIS has been a prime factor of researchers for the few recent years without a clear answer to support either end. However, taking into consideration all the features and the present prominence of GIS in the geological monitoring - though not commercial consumption of its products, it is important to see that it provides leads in all government functions related to public safety, transportation, weather forecasting and aerial land surface surveys. When the promising prospects of GIS is totally evaluated and when the increasing demand for its functional capabilities in the global business market of the present world is noticed, it is hard to say that it GIS is dead. Moreover, from every angle, it surely can survive the challenges once the identified demerits are overcome for better quality service. References Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations., 2010. Current status of GIS, remote sensing and mapping applications in aquaculture from an ecosystem viewpoint, The Potential of Spatial Tools to Support the Ecosystem Approach to Aquaculture, pp. 89-148, [Online] Available at: [Accessed 02 April 2012]. Montgomery, MR, Stren, R, Cohen, B & Reed, H., 2004. Cities Transformed: Demographic Change and its Implications in the Developing World, UK: Earthscan. Reader, S., n.d. The present state of GIS and future trends, IERC Archive, [Online] Available at: [Accessed 02 April 2012]. Thomas, C & Ospina, M., 2004. Measuring up: The Business Case for GIS, USA: ESRI, Inc. Read More