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Corporate GIS

Local search
Main article: Local search (Internet)

Local Search is a recent approach to internet searches that incorporates geographical information into search queries so that the links that you return are more relevant to where you are. It developed out of an increasing awareness that many search engine users are using are looking for a business or service in the local area. Local search has stimulated the development of web mapping, which is used either as a tool to use in geographically restricting your search (see Windows Live Search Maps) or as an additional resource to be returned along with search result listings (see Google Maps). It has also led to an increase in the number of small businesses advertising on the web.

Corporate GIS
A corporate Geographical Information System, also known as ‘Enterprise’ GIS is thought “to satisfy the spatial information needs of an organisation as a whole in an integrated manner” (Chan & Williamson 1997). Corporate GIS consists of four technological elements which are data, standards, information technology and personnel with expertise. It is a coordinated approach that moves away from fragmented desktop GIS. The design of a corporate GIS includes the construction of a centralised corporate database that is designed to be the principle resource for an entire organisation. The corporate database is designed specifically to efficiently and effectively suit the requirements of the organisation. Essential to a corporate GIS is the effective management of the corporate database and the establishment of standards for mapping and database technologies.

Benefits

There are many advantages of a corporate GIS. Firstly, all the users in the organisation have access to shared complete, accurate, high quality and up-to-date data. All the users in the organisation also have access to share technology and people with expertise. Consequently, this improves the efficiency and effectiveness of the organisation as a whole. A successfully managed corporate database reduces redundant collection and storage of information across the organisation. By centralising resources and efforts this reduces the overall cost.

Recommended use

A corporate GIS is recommended for local governments and global governmental organisations. This is particularly useful if data is to be shared between governmental organisations. However, a corporate GIS is considered not to be cost efficient for smaller organisations as it is expensive to implement.

References

Chan, T, O, Williamson, I, P. (1997) Definition of GIS: The manager’s perspective International Workshop on Dynamic and Multi-Dimensional GIS. Hong Kong, pp 18. http://www.geom.unimelb.edu.au/research/publications/IPW/DGISMP.htm