What Is A Mobile GIS?

A geographic information system (GIS) is a system that creates, manages, analyses and maps all different types of GIS data with their geographical location. 

Many essential service providers like utilities, infrastructure developers, government, environmental agencies, and telecommunications depend upon GIS to help them make informed decisions, track assets and monitor current data crucial to their organisations’ success, management and development.

Mobile GIS enables people and organisations to capture, store, update, manipulate, analyse and display geospatial data and information while working in the field.  Mobile GIS integrates one or more of the technologies below:

• Geographic information system software (GIS)
• Global positioning systems (GPS)
• Wireless communications for internet GIS access
• Mobile devices like a PDA, laptop, tablet or mobile phone
• Mobile GIS improves efficiency, reduces errors and ensures that GIS data is updated.

Who Uses Mobile GIS?

Many sectors can use mobile GIS, including engineering crews, firefighters, police officers, surveyors, utility workers, field biologists and conservationists, census workers, etc. Some of the most common uses are:

• Asset inventory:  Creates and maintains a list of asset locations and attribute information
• Field mapping: Creates, edits and uses GIS maps in the field and keeps the office updated on current data
• Asset maintenance: Supports asset location, condition and scheduled maintenance updates
• Inspections: Maintains records and site of field assets to improve legal compliance and reduce ticketing
• Incident and accident reporting: Track and document the location and circumstances of any issues, including any further action that may be needed
• GIS analysis: Immediate processing of data while in the field to help make informed decisions

Benefits Of Mobile GIS

In years past, collecting field data and editing and updating information was very time-consuming. Field workers used notebooks to make sketches, notations, document data, and paper maps for geographic data. Upon returning to the office, the field team enters any edits or updates into the system.

When field teams use a mobile GIS solution, your organisation will find several benefits.

Benefit #1. Mobile GIS Will Save Money

Once your organisation begins using mobile GIS, the days of relying on paper documentation are gone, saving you a lot on printing costs and paper supplies. You will also never have to deal with lost or damaged paperwork again.

Also, mobile GIS will free up the time your field teams usually spend manually processing data and information, thanks to a newly updated GIS solution. To ensure that your team understands how to use the mobile GIS system, consider investing in geospatial technical support and geospatial training. 

Benefit #2. Mobile GIS Boost Data Accuracy

One of the most significant benefits of mobile GIS technology is that your data will be more reliable, accurate and accessible. There will be no more guesswork, assumptions or human-created errors that prevent you from having precise data.

Benefit #3. Mobile GIS Produces Real-Time Location Intelligence

Everyone benefits when using mobile GIS to monitor location data in real-time. No matter the situation on the ground, your team can quickly and confidently make intelligent decisions, including during times of crisis, knowing that all the data they have is current.

Benefit #4. Mobile GIS Synchronizes Changes Made Offline

When your team enters data or makes edits offline or online, the mobile GIS device will synchronise the data to the mobile device once you reconnect to the internet. So whether your organisation is in the utility sector, infrastructure, police officers, environment or government, a mobile GIS solution will help you streamline your daily operations. 

Benefit #5. Improve Utility Restoration For Emergency Preparedness

Mobile GIS technology dramatically improves utility restoration crews’ speed, safety, and effectiveness.  You can configure workflow orders to meet specific criteria. Field workers only see information relevant to the tasks on their list, eliminating the need to scroll through large datasets.

Mobile GIS:

• Enhances situational awareness
• Increases the accessibility and digestibility of information specific to the job at hand
• Enables the rapid collection and dissemination of information 
• Improves communication
• Reduces regulatory fines, customer complaints and reputational damage

Get Started Today!

Mobile GIS leads to increased productivity, improved decision-making, and fewer errors. Whether you are in the utility sector, infrastructure, environment or another essential industry, we can help you with geospatial software development to streamline your IT infrastructure.

At MGISS, we can help transform your business, improving resilience and efficiency.  Contact us today and get started by talking with one of our expert geospatial consultants.

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