Simply put GIS, which is short for Geographic Information System, uses layers of geographical maps, including streets, buildings, neighborhoods, aerial photography, subterranean infrastructure, and more to provide a web-based information system.

The technology works by linking information that is stored in databases to a specific place, location, or general area. A user can issue questions to the data and then view the answers in maps, tables, and other geographic representations.

Because of the nature of the information in GIS, it becomes a powerful tool that can help the decision-making process in the public, private, and not-for- profit sectors.