Geographic information is information that describes the locations of features on the Earth’s surface. A geographic information system (GIS) is any system which displays geographic features to allow a user to map and analyze data in a geographic or spatial way. A GIS therefore allows analyze spatial data and visualize results in the form of maps, reports and charts. ESRI ArcGIS Software Whether the project is Base Map Creation/Maintenance, Utility Inventory/Mapping, Training, or any other mapping basis service, our goal is to provide quality services with customer satisfaction. GIS incorporates geographical features with tabular data in order to map, analyze, and assess real-world problems. The key word to this technology is Geography – this means the data is in some way referenced to a location (spatial data) on the earth. Coupled with the spatial data, is usually tabular data known as attribute data. Attribute data can be generally defined as additional information about each of the located features. An example of this would be schools. The actual location of the schools is the spatial data. Additional data such as the school name, level of education taught, student capacity would make up the attribute data. It is the partnership of these two data types that enables GIS to be such an effective problem solving tool through spatial analysis. GIS operates on many levels. On the most basic level, geographic information systems technology is used as straight forward mapping. The real power of GIS is through using spatial and statistical methods to analyze attribute and geographic information. The end result of the analysis can be derivative information, interpolated information or prioritized information. GIS at CMPS is use daily for analysis of sites for clients. We use the GIS to evaluate a site to determine if the site meets the client’s criteria. The site criteria requested by the client may include, size, buildable area, topography, zoning, traffic counts, utility availability, flood plain data, etc. By analyzing the GIS information we are able to quickly display the results in a graphic (map) form to the client. (A picture is worth a thousand words) GIS Services offered by CMPS include: Site Selection/Analysis Cadastral Mapping Land Records Land Use Mapping Utility Assist Inventory/Mapping/Management Transportation Facilities Inventory/Mapping Environmental Management Demographic Studies Data Integration Strategic Planning
