MalaysiaGIS.com

Source: Computimes, The New Straits Times

GIS are sometimes considered a subset of other information systems like computer-aided design (CAD), computer cartography, database management and remote sensing. Many feel that GIS is simply a catch-all for almost any type of automated geographic data processing.

These systems all predate GIS which, because they have evolved from them, have many features in common.

GIS, however, have a number of other features not available in other systems. The major characteristic of GIS is the emphasis placed on analytical operations, thus distinguishing the GIS from systems whose primary objective is map production.

However, GIS is not an entity that stands by itself solely. GIS cover and embrace disciplines that deal with concepts dealing with space like geography, practical tools that make GIS functional like computer science, statistics, software, artificial intelligence.

There are countless applications of GIS like in forestry, urban and infrastructure planning, engineering and areas which give guidance about information like law and economics.

The recent and widespread introduction of the GIS has created a sudden need for users of geographic information to become knowledgeable about this technology.

Managers within public and private organizations are being called upon to make decisions about the introduction of GIS technology and to establish policies for its use.

Students and educators who use geographic information are gaining access to GIS technology that can be used to increase the depth and breadth of their analyses. The technology has provided an exciting potential for geographic information to be used more systematically and by greater diversity of disciplines than ever before.

The applications are diverse, for example:

• Finding the coincidence of factors, such as the areas with a certain combination of soil type and vegetation or the areas in a city with high crime rate and low income level;
• Updating the geographic information, such as forest cover maps to show recent logging, or updating land use maps to show recent conversion of agricultural land to residential development;
• Managing municipal services such as scheduling maintenance activities, notifying local residents of re-zoning applications or assigning police patrol areas;
• Land use planning with respect to the availability, cost and characteristics of land, including spatial criteria such as size and proximity can be combined with priority weightings in models that can identify and rank suitable areas for various land use options.

GIS clearly have enormous commercial importance and, more significantly, they are already being used to make valuable contributions to the understanding and solution of key socio-economic problems.

In Malaysia, GIS are being used for an incredibly wide variety of applications. Various Government and private companies have come to realize its potential such as the Survey and Mapping Department, Prime Minister's Department, local universities, Department of Irrigation and Drainage, Department of Environment, local municipal councils, Tenaga Nasional Berhad, Mekar Idaman and Gas Malaysia.

Due partly to youthfulness, GIS are rapidly being accepted as a part of information technology and their future certainly looks very promising.