87
13
Geographic Information System (GIS) services include developing an information system that
captures, stores, analyzes, manages, and presents data that are linked to location. Technically, a GIS
is a system that includes mapping software and its application to remote sensing
, land surveying,
aerial photography, mathematics, photogrammetry, geography, and tools that can be implemented
with GIS software. In the strictest sense, the term GIS describes any information system that
integrates, stores, edits, analyzes, shares, and displays geographic information. In a more generic
sense, GIS applications are tools that allow users to create interactive queries (user-created
searches), analyze spatial information, edit data, maps, and present the results of all these operations.
Geographic Information Science is the science underlying the geographic concepts, applications and
systems, taught in degree and GIS Certificate programs at many universities. In the simplest terms,
GIS is the merging of cartography and database technology. Consumer users would likely be
familiar with applications for finding driving directions, like a GPS program on their hand-held
device. GPS (Global Positioning System) is the real-time location component that uses satellites to
show your current position, "where am I now" on your device.
14
Animation is simulation
of movement created by displaying a series of pictures, or frames.
Cartoons on television are one example of animation. Animation on computers is one of the chief
ingredients of multimedia presentations. There are many software applications that enable you to
create animations that one can display on a computer monitor. Also includes on-line games
development services.
15
Research and analytics services refer to activities requiring problem solving, synthesis, and data
analysis and research skills. Examples include financial ratio analysis for corporate loans, writing
industry and company research reports etc.
Data mining is the process of extracting patterns from data
. Data mining is becoming an
increasingly important tool to transform these data into information. It is commonly used in a wide
range of profiling practices
, such as marketing, surveillance, fraud detection and scientific discovery.
Data mining can be used to uncover patterns in data but is often carried out only on samples of data.
16
In respect of computer system development services other than programming services, virtually all
organizations rely on computer and information technology to conduct business and operate
efficiently. Many institutions, however, do not have the internal resources to effectively design,
implement, or manage the products and systems that they need. When faced with such limitations,
organizations often turn to the computer systems design and related services industry.
Establishments in this industry design computer and information systems, develop custom software
programs, and provide computer facilities management services. They also may perform various
other functions, such as software installation and disaster recovery services. They generally work on
a contract basis, assisting an organization with a particular project or problem, such as setting up a
secure Web site or establishing a marketplace online, or for ongoing activities, such as the
management of an onsite data center or help-desk.
The embedded systems development services include services such as chip design – Application
Specific Integrated Circuits (ASIC), Mechatronics – integration of electronic and mechanical design,
embedded software design, board design, testing and prototyping. Major industries that use such
services are communication systems – handsets and infrastructure, computing and storage and
medical equipment.