10+ Sectors that benefit from Geographic Information System (GIS)
- Arpit Shah
- Jul 7, 2020
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 5
I was attracted to the geospatial/GIS field because of the sheer versatility of applications the technology can perform—akin to a Swiss knife. In my previous post, I highlighted, through short video caselets, 10+ Business Needs that GIS helps fulfill. The motto of my firm—Versatile Product. Valuable Applications.—stems from this very characteristic of modern-day Mapping Technology.
In this post, I aim to showcase—again through video caselets—how 10+ Business Sectors/Industries are benefiting from deploying Location Intelligence via GIS across their systems and operations. While the real-world use cases for each industry are virtually limitless, my objective here is to emphasize the breadth of capabilities that a robust geospatial platform offers.
GIS is now being deployed for entirely new workflows on a regular basis. You may be surprised to know that one reason Esri—my GIS vendor—hosts annual conferences worldwide is because they themselves are curious to learn how customers are using their software. This helps them identify innovation trends, invest in R&D, and release specialized modules to enrich their already powerful, market-leading suite.
The concepts below are borrowed from, and explained in more detail on, Esri’s website. Industries are sorted alphabetically. Section headings are hyperlinked.
GIS utilized for: Risk assessment, customer service, operational excellence, economic forecasting, neighbourhood studies, and field sales strategy.
Here is how GIS helps Bajaj Finserv in India to perform risk assessment.
GIS utilized for: Campus management, spatial planning and indoor mapping.
Here is how NIT Hamirpur used GIS to make better use of campus land resources.
GIS utilized for: Planning, scheduling, operations management, crowd management, and surveillance.
GIS utilized for: Patient tracking via mobile, ambulance scheduling and dispatch, facility management (restricted access control), visitor management, and hospital information systems (bed availability, specialty treatments). Globally, healthcare organizations rely heavily on GIS to monitor and respond to pandemics.
See how Inland Empire Health Plan (USA) uses GIS to improve its health care services. Explore this Ebola Tracking dashboard built using GIS.
GIS utilized for: Underwriting, reinsurance, corporate governance, marketing, claims assessment and disbursal, and customer service.
GIS utilized for: Operations Planning, Network Design, Logistics Routing, Asset Tracking.
Here is how H&M uses GIS to promote supply chain transparency.
GIS utilized for: Geospatial data reporting, open-source intelligence (OSINT), investigations, localized news dissemination, marketing analysis, and newspaper distribution.
Here is my work on Remote Sensing, and more on how GIS supports the Defence sector.
GIS utilized for: Irrigation planning (agriculture), preventing human–wildlife conflict (forestry), site surveys (mining), and deep-sea inspections (petroleum).
Here are my demonstrations on Burned Area Mapping and Wildlife Habitat Identification. Here is how GIS helps Department of Soil Survey & Soil Conservation, Kerala to disseminate vital soil metrics to farmers and other stakeholders. Explore this novel geospatial dashboard that maps the sounds of a national park.
GIS utilized for: Siting, topographic surveys, location analytics, and project & facility management.
Here is how GIS helped the Odisha Department of Industries offer land to prospective investors seamlessly.
GIS utilized for: Market analysis, site selection, merchandising, distribution, delivery scheduling, facility management, and customer analytics.
GIS utilized for: Transport planning & optimization, database management, field operations, simulations, and siting & expansion strategies.
Here is how Jet Airways used GIS for flight planning and route management.
GIS utilized for: Siting, network planning, asset inspection, project management, IT operations, safety & compliance, and customer helpline management.
Here is how Cairn India (erstwhile) used GIS to expedite decision-making. Explore this California power-outage tracking dashboard.
Hope you enjoyed exploring these sector-relevant GIS applications. One sector I have not covered—ironically, one of the heaviest consumers of GIS—is the Government sector. The range of geospatial applications that support good governance is vast and merits a dedicated post of its own. You can read an overview here.
ABOUT US - OPERATIONS MAPPING SOLUTIONS FOR ORGANIZATIONS
Intelloc Mapping Services, Kolkata | Mapmyops.com offers a suite of Mapping and Analytics solutions that seamlessly integrate with Operations Planning, Design, and Audit workflows. Our capabilities include — but are not limited to — Drone Services, Location Analytics & GIS Applications, Satellite Imagery Analytics, Supply Chain Network Design, Subsurface Mapping and Wastewater Treatment. Projects are executed pan-India, delivering actionable insights and operational efficiency across sectors.
My firm's services can be split into two categories - Geographic Mapping and Operations Mapping. Our range of offerings are listed in the infographic below-
A majority of our Mapping for Operations-themed workflows (50+) can be accessed from this website's landing page. We respond well to documented queries/requirements. Demonstrations/PoC can be facilitated, on a paid-basis. Looking forward to being of service.
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