Anyone use GIS?

iamdjdz · 23 Mar 2009 at 21:02

Anyone on here use Geographical Information Systems on a regular basis?

I'm doing some coursework and need to find some real-life case studies based on zonal functions, can't find any useful ones on google really. Apart from that it's a fairly big interest of mine, one of the parts of my course I enjoy the most and was wondering if there would be anyone on the boards who I could call upon for a bit of help, as I'm still at a fairly basic level even though I'm doing 'advanced GIS'.

Don't expect many replies but would be interesting to see who uses it, and what for..

growse · 23 Mar 2009 at 21:20

I only use it to store data and then run a mapping server based on Mapnik. Don't know if I can be any help....

A.N.Other · 23 Mar 2009 at 21:22

What program(s) are you using? There are lots out there ...

iamdjdz · 23 Mar 2009 at 21:24

A.N.Other said:
What program(s) are you using? There are lots out there ...

We use ArcGIS 9.2 at uni, I know there are other programs but it's suitable for our needs, not sure if it's considered to be good in commercial fields however.

EDIT - we mainly use the desktop version, not the workstation.

Silent Bob · 23 Mar 2009 at 21:29

I work for a GIS company. My job is not anything to do with GIS so I couldn't tell you how any of it works but we have a few case studies http://www.1spatial.com/solutions/case_studies.php

iaind · 23 Mar 2009 at 21:29

We used to use Autodesk Mapguide where I used to work, it was a housing association so was used for land boundries, trees etc.

Didnt do much with the front end, although the server was a right pain

Masterdog · 23 Mar 2009 at 21:29

I used to use GIS quite a lot as a radio operator in the police. Don't think what we did would classify as 'advanced' though.

iamdjdz · 23 Mar 2009 at 21:32

Masterdog said:
I used to use GIS quite a lot as a radio operator in the police. Don't think what we did would classify as 'advanced' though.

What sort of things did you use it for?

iamdjdz · 23 Mar 2009 at 21:34

Silent Bob said:
I work for a GIS company. My job is not anything to do with GIS so I couldn't tell you how any of it works but we have a few case studies http://www.1spatial.com/solutions/case_studies.php

Thanks mate, there's some stuff in there that's really useful to me, haven't been through it all in much detail but I'm sure it will help

Do you know what programs your company uses to manipulate and analyse their data?

Masterdog · 23 Mar 2009 at 21:35

Well, mainly stuff where any relatively detailed map would do - i.e. directing units to locations, research (for example finding a place for the helicopter to land), warnings of any hazards etc. It only really came into its own when we had a big job that required more than one person to co-ordinate the radio, and you could use the map to work out what units were where.

Brownpants · 23 Mar 2009 at 21:36

We use Mapinfo (and some ArcGIS) mainly for water assets/networks etc amongst other things.

iamdjdz · 23 Mar 2009 at 21:38

Masterdog said:
Well, mainly stuff where any relatively detailed map would do - i.e. directing units to locations, research (for example finding a place for the helicopter to land), warnings of any hazards etc. It only really came into its own when we had a big job that required more than one person to co-ordinate the radio, and you could use the map to work out what units were where.

Fair enough, we're beginning to look at real-time applications at the moment, not sure how much detail we'll go into, but if we do and you don't mind can I email you with some questions about it in the next few weeks? (we might not need to know much about it, but if we do just some basic information will suffice really)

naefeart · 23 Mar 2009 at 21:40

iamdjdz said:
... not sure if it's considered to be good in commercial fields however.

Theres more to GIS apps than just ArcGIS, but as a desktop app, its well used by operators (certainly by BP when I was there).

Masterdog · 23 Mar 2009 at 21:41

You can do by all means - been a while since I was in that job but I'll do me best

101predator · 23 Mar 2009 at 21:53

GIS programs used were I am are Mapinfo / Parkmap and Gmaxi (thers are addons for mapinfo) and Swiftmap. It is used here in local govermnet so covers anything from Plannig applications to Traffic carming / Accident blackspots / Public rites of way.

DavidQ · 23 Mar 2009 at 22:11

Our bulding control department use Cadcorp, not sure if it's relevant

http://www.cadcorp.com/

Helios1234 · 23 Mar 2009 at 22:47

Just been doing an assignment using arcgis, it was fun going trying to determine the different rock types of an area in Spain and going round them as accurately as possible...

icey_haj · 23 Mar 2009 at 22:49

Just handed in some coursework today about the best location for a supermarket. Used GRASS.

digipeep · 24 Mar 2009 at 00:07

I started out as a GIS developer using ESRI products like ArcInfo, now called ArcGIS. It's actually really interesting stuff, much more interesting in the boring accountancy software I work with nowadays. ESRI are the market leader in this software and are a private company based in Redlands California. Is very sophisticated software but also extremely expensive.

Althought I don't use it a lot I still manage the ArcSDE server where I'm working at the moment just because some project manager spotted GIS on my CV. It keeps my fingers in some pies so I don't complain.

Ice Globe · 24 Mar 2009 at 00:14

Just recently had a lecture about the uses of GIS, here are some cases I can remember:

Emergency Services, directing closest units to area of interest.
Mapping Services of utilities onto a residential map to see gaps/areas of competition/where other companies aren't for you to expand.
Mapping Environmental Hazards, flooding, flood plains, lava flows, tornado paths
Supermarkets, using your reward card to map areas of certain products, so you can target high-quality food customer areas with advertising etc.