Geographic Information Systems

A geographic information system is a computer software system designed to manipulate, analyze, display, and store spatial information. The main functions expected of a GIS are map creation and the analysis of data. For years, many people relied on CAD (computer aided design) programs to take care of their mapping needs. While CAD software can be used to create highly accurate spatial maps, it lacks the ability to store and analyze vast amounts of information about the map features it displays.

A GIS accomplishes this analysis and storage by combining the spatial features of a map (lines, points, and polygons) with a database that stores information about each spatial feature. When you create a map using a GIS software such as ArcView, you can not only display the features on the map, but you can also perform queries on the data stored in the tables for each feature. This gives you the ability to answer questions about the data you are working with.

For example, if you want to know how many parcels of land are located within a certain noise level near an airport, a GIS can query its database, compare the noise level features with the parcel features, and give you a listing of selected parcels that fit your criteria. Accomplishing something like that by hand using conventional methods would take a significant amount of time compared to the few seconds it takes with a GIS.

GIS can be found everywhere, including resource management, asset management, environmental impact assessments, urban planning, cartography, sales, marketing, and route planning. C&S's GIS department is available for on-call services and/or for specific projects to fulfill cartographic requests, technical data analysis or database creation. From producing simple maps to 3D digital terrain models, to providing internet mapping services, we can do it all. We produce professional documents, analysis reports, and customized web-based GIS applications:

  • 3-D Modeling—Three dimensional mapping has many applications in the GIS world, and advances in technology are increasing the possibilities every day.
  • Custom Mapping—Our GIS specialists have the cartographic skill to produce professional style maps for all your projects.
  • Spatial Analysis—Spatial analysis techniques can be applied to nearly every project under the sun, expertly deriving answers to those hard to solve problems while maximizing your organizations efficiency.
  • Internet Mapping Server—Integrating an internet mapping service into an organization data management system makes sharing spatial data easy and convenient.