Making Smarter Decisions With GIS

MGISS | 1 May 2022

Making Smarter Decisions

A GIS (Geographic Information System) provides a visual representation of complex spatial data. A GIS is a computer system that will capture, store, check and display data related to locations on the earth’s surface. The information you receive from a GIS will provide you with the knowledge needed to make smarter decisions.

GIS systems are being used by developers, managers of utility companies, environmental groups, individuals, governments and more. Virtually every industry and individual is finding a way to put GIS technology to work for them daily.

With the advances in GIS, we can obtain relevant current data very quickly. So how can this help you and your organisation make more thoughtful, intelligent decisions? Let us count the ways!

10 Ways That GIS Helps You Make Smarter Decisions

Embracing GIS technology offers benefits far beyond just making a map. Maximising spatial data and GIS on every project will give your organisation the necessary feedback and information to make smarter decisions.

#1. Streamlining Data

Information is constantly being added to some type of database. GIS takes complex data sets and turns them into usable and understandable information that companies can easily use to make decisions and implement changes. 

You can use GIS to cross-examine several data sets in multiple departments or even historical data. The ability of GIS to streamline information is one of the main reasons for companies to understand the importance of using complex spatial data for making decisions.

#2. Time and Efficiency

Companies use and build custom GIS solutions because it’s one of the fastest ways to interpret present or historical data to make decisions, detect possible risks and pinpoint problems. For example, using GIS software would be used by the fire department and other emergency services to find the shortest route to an emergency and look for any possible risks, such as a gas station next door to an active fire.

Hiring a geospatial consultancy is essential if your organisation needs the support to develop a geospatial information system.

#3. Cost and Return on Investment (ROI)

GIS solutions help developers, infrastructure companies, individuals, and more locate the best location for upcoming projects while tracking current projects. With the capabilities of GIS, your organisation will be able to mitigate risks ahead of time, maximise your ROI and make intelligent decisions.

For example, if a developer wants to build in an area and needs to know if there are any protected species, they can use GIS solutions to tell them if there is any current or historical data on protected species in that location before purchasing the property.

#4. Simultaneous Analysis of Different Spatial Datasets

GIS can analyse several components simultaneously to provide the best solutions or possibilities between alternate options, locations, objects and more. It is called a multi-criteria analysis (MCA) and is helpful in multiple applications.

For example, you need to take several factors into account before choosing a location for a project, such as:

  • Threatened species 
  • Resource availability
  • Land use and terrain
  • Planning restrictions
  • Local geology
  • Demographics
  • Communities, restaurants, local businesses and schools

By using GIS and MCA, you can find the areas that best fit your criteria for your project based upon the thematic analysis and overview of areas of constraint, transportation and access routes or cost of construction.

#5. Identify and Mitigate Risks

Everything comes with risks, so it is essential to know as much as possible before beginning a new project or maintaining existing infrastructure. 

Potential hazards include things such as:

  • Fire
  • Pollution sources
  • Landslides or erosion 
  • Threatened or invasive species

Knowing ahead of time that some of these may be an issue can help ensure you make the best decision at the time.

#6. Urban Planning and Infrastructure Development

GIS technology will help improve thoughtful, efficient, cost-effective planning and development, from building roads, hospitals, and schools to installing water and utilities. In addition, GIS can assist in finding new sites while considering various factors to meet the necessary criteria for building projects, developments and expansions. 

#7. Environmental Impact Analysis and Recovery Planning

Environmental impact analysis is critical to continually strengthen our commitment to a more thoughtful and sustainable approach to conserving, protecting and restoring the environment

GIS helps conservation professionals, infrastructure, utility and development companies, and other industries:

  • Access and utilise current and historical information relevant to conservation
  • Access data on species occurrences, ecosystem conditions, watershed boundaries and land-use patterns

#8. Remote Sensing

One of the fantastic features of geospatial technology is remote sensing. Remote sensing can assist in recording an area’s physical characteristics by capturing images and can be used for road conditions, maps, space images and forestry and climate change.

#9. GIS Mapping

GIS is more than your basic map. It incorporates many different customisable components to help analyse and find patterns with the data and create a visual map. That map is then used to help various industries like utility companies, infrastructure development and environmental protection make smarter and faster decisions.

#10. Streamline Your Business

GIS and geospatial technology will help you to transform and streamline your business. GIS solutions streamline field and office operations, support intelligent, fast decision-making with current and historical data, improve customer service, and quickly identify risks and issues.

As you can imagine, having all of this information at your fingertips will significantly improve the decision-making process for your organisation. 

GIS Solutions for You and Your Business

At MGISS, our goal is to create GIS solutions for your organisation that help to streamline field operations, improve profitable decision making while reducing risk, and improve customer service.
Contact us today to find out how we can help you make the best decisions for your business and your future.


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Empowering your decision making with the asset data truth. Independently advising on the smarter use of Geospatial data, technology and the digital transformation of field operations.