Global Commerce
Today, many industries are taking advantage of geospatial technologies to study markets and monitor consumer activities. Restaurant chains use GIS data to select the best sites for new locations. Health and Life Insurance Companies use enterprise systems and web services to connect patients with health care providers. Many companies are discovering that an investment in geospatial technologies can drastically reduce the tedious number-crunching and plotting that kept teams of researchers busy for months.
Imagine an executive who wants to effectively target billboard advertising. By mapping a database of real estate transactions, an analyst could identify where properties valued over $150,000 are located. Then, by overlaying the property map with census records from the previous year, they can pinpoint residences that fit a demographic profile. Using another data set, the analyst can identify roads in the area that carry the most local traffic. Based on this information, the executive can choose billboard locations that will be seen by the highest percentage of potential customers.
Emergency Management
Consider the following scenario...
A major earthquake hits a highly-populated area.
Buildings topple, freeways and communications are severed. Emergency operation centers throughout the country begin collecting and disseminating infromation.
Engineers and scientists work together to enter data about the quake's epicenter and magnitude into a computer mapping system.
Minutes after the data is entered, maps and other visualizations show emergency crews the extent of damage, allowing them to direct rescue and recovery efforts.
Geographic Information Systems are being used by agencies around the world to help officials manage spatially related problems. Powerful systems blend databases, digital maps, satellite photography, and other information to visualize everything from traffic bottlenecks to identifying the extent of forest fire damage.
Tactical Operations
Planning a military operation is a complex business.
History teaches us that a smaller army, having an intimate knowledge of the terrain, has defeated a much larger, well-equipped and organized opposing force.
Therefore, nearly all strategic operations are terrain-sensitive that require careful reconnaissance and planning.
Common military operations include the selection of deployment sites and bases of operation. This includes the identification of tactically important roads, bridges, local landmarks and other features. The development of such intelligence can tremendously assist in the strategic planning phases of the operation. The decision making process can be made more intelligent through the use of expert geographic information and geospatial data systems. Assets may be generated from satellite images, aerial photographs, topographical maps or other ancillary data.
Timely intelligence is key. Fortunately, we live in the IT age where information can be disseminated in close to real-time. Internet-enabled, GIS technologies are not only helpful, they are crucial tools for success.
Research & Exploration
Whether you're searching for hidden pockets of crude oil on Earth, accessible Helium-3 on the moon or water-ice on Mars, you require powerful technologies at your fingertips.