A Geographic Information System (GIS) is a computer-based tool for mapping, analyzing, and managing geographic data. The history of GIS can be traced back to the early 20th century, when maps were primarily created and used by government agencies and institutions.
In the 1930s, the U.S. Census Bureau began using mechanical devices to assist with mapping and data collection, leading to the development of early automated mapping systems. In the 1940s and 1950s, the military also began using automated systems to store and analyze geographic data.
During the 1960s, the Canadian government developed the first true GIS, known as the Canada Geographic Information System (CGIS). This system was designed to store, manage, and analyze spatial data for the entire country, and was considered the first operational GIS.
In the 1970s, GIS technology began to be used in other fields such as urban planning, natural resource management, and environmental studies. The development of desktop computers and advances in computer hardware and software also made GIS more accessible to a wider range of users.
In the 1980s and 1990s, the use of GIS expanded rapidly in both the public and private sectors. The widespread availability of satellite imagery and other remote sensing data, as well as the introduction of new software and data formats, allowed for more accurate and detailed mapping and analysis.
With the rise of the Internet and the widespread availability of satellite imagery and other remote sensing data in the 1990s. GIS began to be used for purposes such as risk assessment, natural hazard management, and emergency response planning. The Introduction of 3D GIS and Virtual Reality enabled new ways of visualizing and analyzing data.
Since the 2000s, GIS has continued to evolve with the development of new technologies such as cloud computing, mobile devices, and social media. Today, GIS technologies are used in many fields such as transportation, healthcare, emergency management, and many more, providing new ways of understanding, analyzing and solving complex problems. The growth of open data, open standards and open source GIS software continue to expand the use of GIS further.
GIS began to be used in new ways, such as in transportation planning, crime analysis, and public health. The integration of GIS with other technologies, such as wireless networks and mobile devices, has further expanded the range of GIS applications. With the advancement of big data analytics, GIS applications are now widely used in many industries and organizations.
The evolution of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) applications has been closely tied to advancements in technology and changes in the way that geographic data is collected, stored, and analyzed.
In the early days of GIS, the primary application was map making and the storage of geographic data in digital format. Government agencies and institutions were the main users of GIS, and the focus was on creating accurate and detailed maps for use in land management, resource planning, and other activities.
Overall, the evolution of GIS applications has been driven by advances in technology, an increasing need for geographic data and insights, and a growing realization of the value of GIS in a wide range of fields. It will continue to evolve with new advancements in technologies, for example, the growing use of Artificial Intelligence, Machine learning and Blockchain are expected to change the way GIS works in the future.
Pioneering companies in the development of GIS
Several companies have been pioneers in the development and evolution of GIS technology. Some of the most notable include:
- Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI): Founded in 1969, ESRI is one of the oldest and most well-known GIS companies. They developed ARC/INFO, one of the first commercially successful GIS software packages. ESRI is currently the largest GIS software company in the world, and their ArcGIS platform is widely used in a variety of industries.
- Intergraph Corporation: Founded in 1969, Intergraph was one of the first companies to develop GIS software for the personal computer. They developed several popular GIS software packages, including MGE and GeoMedia, which were widely used in the 1990s and 2000s.
- Autodesk: Founded in 1982, Autodesk is a well-known provider of design and engineering software. They entered the GIS market in the 1990s with the acquisition of MapGuide, and later developed AutoCAD Map 3D, which is now a popular GIS software package.
- Bentley Systems: Founded in 1984, Bentley is a global leader in providing software solutions for the infrastructure industry. They have a suite of GIS and BIM software like Bentley Map, Bentley ContextCapture for creating high-resolution 3D models of real-world environments, that is used in various Infrastructure projects.
- Hexagon AB: Founded in 1992, Hexagon is a global provider of measurement and imaging technologies. They acquired Intergraph’s geospatial division in 2010, which made them one of the largest GIS companies in the world and have several GIS software like GeoMedia, ERDAS IMAGINE and more.
These are just a few examples of the companies that have been pioneers in the development of GIS technology. There are many other companies that have made significant contributions to the field over the years, and continue to do so.
Developments in GIS software
With regard to pioneering GIS software applications we can mention the following:
- ESRI’s ArcView is one of the first GIS software to be widely used in the 1990s, it was an entry-level GIS software that allowed users to view, analyze and create maps. Later on, it evolved to ArcGIS, it became a full-featured GIS software that includes advanced tools for data management, analysis, and visualization, and it is widely used in a variety of industries.
- QGIS is a popular open-source GIS software that can be used on various operating systems. It is widely used by individuals, organizations and governments worldwide, as it provides a wide range of functionalities that make it very powerful, yet easy to use.
- ERDAS, a Hexagon AB’s product, is a widely used raster GIS and remote sensing software that has been widely used for years in the GIS and remote sensing community.
- ENVI, a L3Harris Geospatial product, is a popular software for analyzing and visualizing image data, and it has been widely used in many fields such as geology, agriculture, forestry, and urban planning.
- MapInfo is a GIS software package developed by Pitney Bowes, it is widely used in many industries and organizations worldwide, it is known for its simplicity and ease of use.
- Idrisi is a GIS and remote sensing software package developed by Clark Labs at Clark University, it is widely used in academic and research institutions and it is known for its advanced analytical capabilities.
Overall, these are just a few examples of the many GIS software packages that have been developed over the years, and each has its own unique set of features and capabilities, catering to different needs of users in different fields. These software’s are continuously evolving and adding new functionalities and capabilities to meet the changing needs of the GIS community.
Competition between GIS software
The competition between GIS software, both commercial and open-source, has been a significant driving force in the development and evolution of GIS technology.
Commercial GIS software, such as ESRI’s ArcGIS, Hexagon AB’s ERDAS, Intergraph’s GeoMedia and Bentley Systems’ Bentley Map, have traditionally been the most widely used GIS software in many industries, and often have the most advanced features and capabilities. These companies have invested heavily in research and development to stay ahead of the competition, and as a result, their software is often considered to be the most powerful and advanced on the market.
In recent years, however, open-source GIS software such as QGIS has gained significant popularity, especially among individual users and smaller organizations. This software is freely available and can be modified and distributed by anyone. The open-source nature of QGIS has enabled a large community of developers to contribute to its development and improve its functionality, making it a strong alternative to commercial software. Additionally, many other open-source GIS software such as GRASS, uDIG, and OpenJUMP, also exist and are used by some communities.
The competition between commercial and open-source GIS software has led to many advancements in GIS technology, as both commercial and open-source developers strive to improve their software and provide users with more advanced features and capabilities. This competition has also led to a wider availability of GIS software, making it more accessible to a broader range of users, and more affordable for smaller organizations and individual users.
Overall, the competition between GIS software, whether commercial or open-source, has been beneficial to the advancement of GIS technology and the growth of the GIS industry. It has led to an increasing number of software options, which have enabled users to select the software that best suits their needs, be it advanced capabilities, ease of use or low-cost.
Which is better free or commercial software?
Whether free or commercial GIS software is better depends on the specific needs and requirements of the user. Both types of software have their own advantages and disadvantages.
Free, open-source GIS software such as QGIS, GRASS, and uDIG, are a good option for many users, especially for individual users, smaller organizations, and educational institutions. They are usually freely available to download and use, and their open-source nature enables users to access the source code and make modifications to it if they wish. These software packages are also often supported by a large user community and have many plug-ins, add-ons and third-party applications that can be added.
On the other hand, commercial GIS software such as ESRI’s ArcGIS Pro, Hexagon AB’s ERDAS, Intergraph’s GeoMedia, Envi, MapInfo, AutoCAD 3D Map, TerrSet and Bentley Systems’ Bentley Map, often offer more advanced features and capabilities than free software. These software packages are often developed and maintained by professional teams and are more likely to have more advanced capabilities, more robust data management, and technical support. They also are more likely to be used in large scale projects, and often offer scalability, performance and reliability that a free software may not.
In summary, it depends on the specific use case and requirements of the user. Free, open-source GIS software can be a good option for many users, especially for individual users, smaller organizations, and educational institutions, while commercial GIS software may be a better option for users with more advanced needs, larger organizations or those that need advanced features and capabilities or technical support.