Besides [Building Information Modelling](/blog/what-is-bim/ "Building Information Modelling"), there are many other technologies that are extremely useful for different sectors. Today we are going to talk about GIS and we are going to answer the following questions: **what is GIS?**, **what is GIS used for?** and **what are the advantages of GIS?** Keep reading and find out how using GIS can help you to **#ONEUPYOURBUSINESS**!

## WHAT IS GIS?

The term GIS is an acronym for *Geographic Information System* and it consists of a software application that merges the visualisation of a map with the powerful usefulness of a database to capture and analyse data about a specific location. GIS also presents tools for sharing the data and collaborating with other parties involved in your projects.

GIS allows users to attach all kinds of information to the maps in a very similar fashion as BIM does with building and infrastructure assets, providing you with a central information repository.

After capturing the map and storing it in GIS, the software will locate it within the corresponding coordinate grid. There are different types of coordinate grids, in the United Kingdom we use the [Ordnance Survey National Grid](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ordnance_Survey_National_Grid "Ordnance Survey National Grid"), also called *British National Grid* or *OSGB 36*, although the international standard is [WGS 84](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Geodetic_System "WGS 84"), also called *World Geodetic System*. 

The processed map data in GIS can be catalogued in 2 classes:

  - **Raster**: this is the visual representation as a digital photograph, which facilities quick identification of shapes and features
  - **Vector**: this is the group of specific coordinates. A Point is a pair of XY coordinates, which a shape being a group of points that are interconnected. It is mainly used for processing and analysis

## WHAT IS GIS USED FOR?

The main purpose of GIS, very much like BIM, is to provide a common framework for sharing georeferenced data and collaborating between different members of the project. Any GIS application will let you create highly interactive and data-drive maps, as well as the possibility to add different layers of information to your maps, with different features so you can produce bespoke analyses that suit your use case.

GIS can be used almost in any sector or industry: Farming, Facilities Management, Traffic Control, Civil Engineering, Property Development, Supply Chain Management, Manufacturing, Education, etc.

To put it simply, if your data can be represented in a georeferenced map, you could and should GIS.

GIS lets you to:

  - Identify location-based issues and observe change over time: like coastal erosion or deforestation
  - Report geolocated events in Real-time and prioritise according to spatial data: you could monitor what parts of your roads are being used more heavily during a specific period of time and react to control the traffic
  - Forecast what could be needed for the lifecycle of your project and analyse trends: study changes in habits and patterns based in a location and adapt your project to cope with them, for example vegetation interference with your power grid

## WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF GIS?

GIS offers many advantages to its users:

  - **Enhanced collaboration**: by having access to the same data from the same application, you could collaborate much more efficiently than by using traditional paper-based maps
  - **Standardised geospatial data**: you could convert your data to whichever grid reference system you are using, whether it is OSGB 36, WGS 84, etc. Having consistent data across all your maps will provide you with better analyses
  - **Data-driven maps**: add different layers with information and create bespoke maps that are tailored to your business and use case

In this new article we explain what is GIS, what it is used for, what advantages it will provide to your business if you use location-based information.

What is GIS?

In previous articles, we have explained [what is BIM](/blog/what-is-bim "what is BIM") and [what is GIS](/blog/what-is-gis "what is GIS"). Today we are going to take a very brief overview at using BIM and GIS together. We are going to answer the following questions: **how can GIS and BIM be used together?** and **what are the advantages of using GIS and BIM together?** Keep reading and find out how using GIS and BIM together will help you to **#ONEUPYOURBUSINESS**!

## HOW CAN GIS AND BIM BE USED TOGETHER?

BIM and GIS users usually think that both frameworks cannot or should not be used together, as they have the belief that their purposes are totally different and that they are products for totally different industries and sectors. In reality, this is a very grave misunderstanding of both frameworks, as they can be used across the same industries and sectors, providing your company with a more efficient workflow.

As we already know, GIS, or Geographical Information System, is a framework that uses location-based data represented as maps. BIM, or Building Information Modelling, is a framework that lets you manage all relevant information and documentation to your assets, regardless of whether they are buildings or infrastructure. Every single building or infrastructure asset has a specific location in the world that can be expressed as a pair of longitude and latitude coordinates, therefore using GIS alongside BIM can provide your project’s workflow with even richer location-based data and geographical context, giving you the ability to create highly detailed maps with multiple layers of information that can be fed directly from your BIM application or third-party software. 

Another common misconception is that BIM already has GIS features incorporated. This is not true. You can attach a DTM or a DSM to your 3D Model and have it rendered in the correct place, but BIM would not give you the full geolocation capabilities that you get from using GIS. In order for your BIM project to be suitable for GIS, you would need to have a very clear specification of its features. This becomes clearer when you involve the Facilities Management partner from the beginning, as they would help you specify what features of your design are going to be involved in the project’s maintenance lifecycle.

With this approach, BIM is used for designing, building your assets and managing your project, and GIS is used for planning, management and monitoring your assets, giving you a complete lifecycle.

At the time of writing, there are several tools that will facilitate this integration one or another. Depending on your project’s needs we could even do a bespoke integration for you, so you have the best possible workflow. 

## WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF USING GIS AND BIM TOGETHER?

Using GIS and BIM together will have many advantages:

  - **Centralised, uniform and constantly updated information**: unlike using spreadsheets and multiple programs, having single repository for all your project’s information will ensure that it always stays up to date with the latest changes
  - **Enhanced collaboration**: give access to the centralised information to all the relevant parties involved in the different parts of the project
  - **Streamline your project’s schedule and logistics**: using GIS and BIM will give you a powerful tool to coordinate all the schedules and logistics, making sure everything gets done and delivered at the right time, preventing any unnecessary delays
  - **Reduced costs**: with the efficiency that using GIS and BIM together brings to your project, you will be able to dramatically reduce the costs
  - **Eliminate risks**: monitor your project’s location-based data in real-time to prevent any possible incidents and develop are more thorough HSE policy
  - **Richer data**: integrate information coming from multiple sources, like smart sensors, to produce data-driven projects with better environmental context
  - **Higher quality projects**: better data drives you to make better decisions, and with the reductions in cost, errors, and risk, you will deliver much higher quality projects that integrate with smart technologies and will be much more efficient to maintain

Using GIS and BIM together for your business will give you the ultimate framework to deliver the best possible projects, reducing costs and eliminating risk.

Using GIS and BIM together

In previous articles we have explained what [GIS](/blog/what-is-gis/ "GIS") is and what [IoT](/blog/internet-of-things/ "IoT") is. Today’s article, we are going to be looking at GIS and IoT combines and answering the following question:  **what are the advantages of GIS and IoT working together?** Keep reading and find out how GIS and IoT combines can help you to **#ONEUPYOURBUSINESS**!

## WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF GIS AND IOT WORKING TOGETHER?

The Internet of Things (IoT) consists of sensors and devices all connected through the internet, collecting vast amounts of various types of real-time data. Merging IoT and GIS (Geographic Information System), a framework for capturing, analysing, and managing geographic data, can empower decision-makers and stakeholders with valuable insights that they need to make smarter decisions and strategies that can help transform their industry sector. Below, we provide a list of several advantages GIS and IoT can offer when combined: 

- **Optimises energy efficiency and systems**: smart buildings with installed IoT sensors inside can capture vast amounts of data such as: temperature, noise levels, lighting, humidity, and so on. IoT sensors can also be installed on the exterior of buildings to monitor the atmosphere such as sunlight and wind speed. With all this data, it can be used to make the buildings more energy-efficient and help to create strategies to reduce energy consumption as the information can be useful for adjusting the environment conditions throughout the day to suit the needs of occupants. Together, IoT and GIS can also be used to design evacuation systems that enable people in the buildings to evacuate the quickest and safest route as well as, locating people still in the building and assisting the authorities of where they are 
- **Enhances smarter planning decisions**: with IoT sensors installed all over cities, vehicles, buildings, roads, and highways to name a few examples, will enable real-time information to be captured helping to make smarter planning decisions. For example, it can help with the planning of cycle routes or greenery spaces, and report traffic and air-quality. Another advantage of smart cities and monitoring the environment in real-time, is that the technology is able to highlight any odd occurrences, risks, or dangers, enabling the appropriate authorities to be directly alerted, improving emergency response times and helping to reduce risks
- **Increases safety**: GIS and IoT-enabled vehicles can help towards smarter vehicles as it can provide drivers with reports of road safety, traffic control, road conditions, parking availability, and areas of particular caution before encountering them, helping to improve road safety by preventing accidents and traffic congestion. With the use of predictive analytics and pedestrian tracking, smart street lights and traffic management this can also improve the safety of the public as well 
- **Provides real-time insights and dashboard applications**: dashboards can help towards gaining answers on what’s currently happening, where it is happening, who it is affecting, what assets are available, and much more. GIS and IoT combined, enables faster insights and situational analysis resulting in better performance and action taking. Examples of real-time dashboard applications include law enforcement monitoring crime as it happens and incoming emergency calls, companies monitoring equipment, transportation, crews, and utilities can track local governments use real-time information to manage track and monitor bin trucks and bins that need to be emptied or roads that need mending or treatment and so on

Learn how GIS (Geographic Information System) and IoT combined can help you to transform your business as we discuss the advantages of GIS and IoT working together.

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