GIS and its Future

A geographic/graphical information system (GIS) is an information system for capturing, storing, analyzing, managing and presenting data which is spatially referenced.

Application

Geographic information system technology can be used for scientific investigations, resource management, asset management, archaeology, environmental impact assessment, urban planning, cartography, criminology, geographic history, marketing, and logistics.

GIS Improvements

	Improvements in the user interface have substantially altered GIS "look and feel."
	Basic data differences such as raster vs. vector have disappeared as GISs have become more flexible.
	Object-oriented programming and databases are likely to improve GIS.
	GIS software is now easier to install and maintain.

Some of the Future of GIS is now like:

	Desktop mapping. “Business Geographic’s.”
	Real high end power.
	GIS/GPS integration.
	IVNS (In-Vehicle Navigation Systems).
	Rapidly maturing market with broad public acceptance and knowledge.
	The Web. More than data delivery.

Future GIS's

	Scientific visualization and computer graphics will be increasingly integrated with GIS capabilities.
	Animated maps.
	Interactive maps.
	Augmented reality.