GIS is exciting technology. For many organizations new insights are being gained by seeing company data mapped. The where questions GIS is able to answer is changing how many organizations do business. But getting started and success with GIS can initially be challenging. In this post we will discuss how to move forward with GIS.

GIS: Now you have the software what next?

As a company we anticipated an increase in the adoption of GIS as new platforms were released. The surge in interest took even us by surprise. It also left us scratching our heads a little. We wondered:

Our initial response to the surge in interest was to introduce our GIS Jumpstart Packages. These are designed to get organization new to GIS platforms up and running quickly. So set up, configuration, and guidance on getting started. Popular though our packages have proven to be, it did not take us long to realise these were not enough. We needed to provide more guidance, more hand holding. I often use the rather simplistic Best Buy analogy: so much choice but, given what I need (maybe a new laptop, smartphone, camera) where do I begin?

Too often we have seen organizations overwhelmed, and confused. After much thought we put in place two new services:

1. GIS Discovery Workshop

This is a very low cost workshop conducted by a WebMapSolutions GIS expert. It steps back from the details of GIS and helps you explore the why’s, what’s and how’s:

– Why start using GIS or extend your existing GIS?
– What business problem(s) are you looking to solve, and how might a solution(s) look?
– How to get started?

2. GIS Implementation Process – from Where to There in 4 Steps

From our many years of experience, we have found getting from where questions to answers with GIS takes 4 steps:

1) Defining the problem – what are we trying to solve?
2) Evolving the story – what might a solution look like?
3) GIS implementation – this includes GIS Jumpstart, data, targeted web and/or mobile apps.
4) Repeat

GIS will never be easy. Thinking spatially, understanding spatial concepts, and getting the most out of GIS requires both schooling and training. But we have found that providing structure through these two services, has helped those new to GIS and those looking to make better use of the technology more successful.