Lawrence E. Gunderson
Published: 1999
Total Pages: 148
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"Geographic Information Systems, or GIS is a technology that until recently, has evolved outside of the mainstream of information systems. GIS can be defined as a powerful set of tools for collecting, sorting, analyzing, and displaying spatial data to solve real world problems. The overall theme of this project paper is to examine this unique technology and propose the use of conventional information systems methodologies in the implementation of GIS. The use and maintenance of spatial data has always been a common function of many organizations, especially government. In particular, this paper focuses on the application of GIS within a standard information systems framework at a local government organization. This paper includes a short historical perspective of how GIS has evolved from its origins in automated cartography, and its application in large government implementations, to its ultimate birth as a software industry. This is followed by a description of GIS architecture, with particular emphasis on the proprietary data structures that have been developed to support the demanding requirements of spatial analysis. The paper highlights the problems and limitations of GIS data structures, especially when viewed from the perspective of standardized relational database management systems (RDBMS). This is followed by an analysis of object-relational database management systems, an approach to spatial data management that holds great future promise. The second half of the paper focuses on the implementation of GIS technology. The paper proposes a set of information technology objectives that are linked to a local government business strategy. It then demonstrates how these objectives can be implemented using a standard information systems methodology. The methodology, the Zachman framework for information systems architecture, defines the systems environment as being composed of three distinct elements, data, processes, and technology. The paper then describes how the Zachman framework can be applied within a municipal government organization (the City of Naperville, the author's employer). Finally, the paper concludes with an analysis of object-relational database management systems (ORDBMS), and proposes an ORDBMS for the City of Naperville's GIS"--Abstract.