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THE wide
adoption of geographic information system (GIS), a
multilayered map with descriptive information, is
expected by Geodata Systems Technologies Inc. as the
need for more complex solutions in operating location
intelligence increases.
During
the 8th Philippine ESRI (Environmental Systems Research
Institute) GIS user conference yesterday, GIS
underscored the need for managing critical data brought
by environmental challenges that include spatial
dimension, unlinked geography and natural catastrophes.
“GIS is
a computer software that provides and shares linked
geographical information for users,” David Maguire,
chief scientist and director of international operations
for ESRI told the press yesterday. The GIS software
distributed by Geodata is developed by ESRI.
“Having
GIS in place leads to fast decision making by private
businesses. For instance, a company can look for a
suitable site to position a franchised store, by simply
looking at GIS mapped with buildings, street population,
traffic and other indicators, one can easily make a
choice,” explained Maguire.
While
most of ESRI’s customers are in the government sector,
some are private companies involved in power, television
broadcasting, real estate and utilities.
The
Philippine National Police is one of the security
agencies that believe GIS location-based technology is a
tool to respond well on emergency calls, chase
assailants and lessen crime rate in the country.
In a
demonstration, GIS is mapped with districts; precincts;
streets; and data to where the incidents occurred, with
time indicator and description of the suspect or victim.
It is now working out to put the respective hotline
numbers of their divisions and update more of the
necessary landmarks they need in their database.
The GIS
does not only benefit urban operations it also has a
claim of helping users “anticipate future outcomes by
depicting regression analysis for forecasting future
events and processes” in areas such as wildlife, in a
community where communicable disease spreads or in a
town assessing the impact of resident numbers to
economic development.
Although
GIS is serving the industries’ challenge, Geodata also
admits battling their own test.
“Lack of
awareness and solid IT infrastructure must be addressed
for the country to fully embraced GIS as technology,”
said Francisca Dayrit, executive Vice President of
Geodata Systems Technologies Inc.
Dayrit
disclosed that the initial cost to deploy a GIS system
is “about half a million peso.” |
