| GIS is the buzzword today. It is being said that GIS | | | | Now a GIS solution which is linked to hotels, snack |
| will be the backbone of all business in future. What is | | | | bars, gas stations and other utilities would require |
| GIS? The acronym stands for Geographic | | | | few parameters from you. The start of journey, kind |
| Information System. So in its crude form it is an | | | | of route (scenic, Freeways, toll roads or no toll |
| information system or in simple words a kind of | | | | roads), breaks (after every 250-300 miles, snack |
| database. If you think it to be a database of sorts | | | | preference Big Mac, KFC, Veggies), hotels (five star, |
| then you are right. But then what would Geographic | | | | four star or motels, budget), meal preference (veg, |
| mean in the GIS? To put it simply, an information | | | | non-veg, organic, low carb) and other details. Within a |
| system which is based on maps and locations or | | | | few minutes you have a choice of itineraries to |
| linked on earth co-ordinates is a GIS. | | | | choose from. You would say it is just the database |
| So to say, a Google Map which gives you directions | | | | solution. No, it is GIS solution. Here your route is |
| from various locations; say your own home to your | | | | planned in a manner that every 250-300 miles you |
| friends home is a GIS. Yes it is a GIS, because it | | | | have restaurants for a break with your choice of |
| gives you the details as a map and details too. It also | | | | food. Every 600 to 700 miles, a choice hotel or motel |
| tells you if the road is one way and congestion on | | | | is selected depending upon your guidelines. |
| various routes. Then you may ask which is the best | | | | No big deal, any one can plan such a trip. Why do I |
| way to reach in the least time; GIS has the answer. | | | | need GIS? If everything goes as per plan, but what |
| It will generate the route on the map with your key | | | | if midway, your car breaks down. You lose three to |
| locations which will take the shortest time. In all | | | | four hours in repairs or some other emergency. You |
| probability, you have already used Google Map or | | | | cancel bookings, find fresh ones, deal with your |
| some similar mapping website for planning a route for | | | | emergency and so on. But a GIS solution, punch in a |
| you. | | | | few keys, and few minutes later, your custom |
| We will take another situation. You are traveling from | | | | contingency plan made for you. |
| Washington DC to San Francisco. You decide to take | | | | GIS will pervade our lives in the coming years in a big |
| a snack break of one hour after every 250 to 300 | | | | way. The utility of GIS is not just in hospitality but in |
| miles and rest for the day after 600 to 700 miles. | | | | all sectors from electric supply to internet service |
| You plan your journey meticulously, picking various | | | | providers, from emergency medical aid to fire |
| Motels and Hotels along the route. This may take | | | | stations and so on. Looking for a career change, |
| about a week or more, speaking to hotels, finding | | | | business expansion, great ideas; think GIS. |
| out about vacancy and then booking with them. | | | | |