Global information system is an information system which is developed and / or used in a global context. Some examples of GIS are SAP, The Global Learning Objects Brokered Exchange and other systems.
There are a variety of definitions and understandings of a global information system (GIS, GLIS), such as:
- A global information system (GIS) is an information system which is developed and / or used in a global context.
- A global information system (GIS) is any information system which attempts to deliver the totality of measurable data worldwide within a defined context.
Common to this class of information systems is that the context is a global setting, either for its use or development process. This means that it highly relates to distributed systems / distributed computing where the distribution is global. The term also incorporates aspects of global software development and there outsourcing (when the outsourcing locations are globally distributed) and offshoring aspects. A specific aspect of global information systems is the case (domain) of global software development. A main research aspect in this field concerns the coordination of and collaboration between virtual teams. Further important aspects are the internationalization and language localization of system components.
Tasks in designing global information systems
Critical tasks in designing global information systems are:
- Process and system design: How are the processes between distributed actors organized, how are the systems distributed / integrated.
- Technical architecture: What is the technical infrastructure enabling actors to collaborate?
- Support mechanisms: How are actors in the process of communication, collaboration, and cooperation supported?
Purpose of the Global Information System (GIS)
- Support for General Research
- Collection, manipulation, and utilization of spatial data in database management
- Standardization and Customisation of cartographic production
- Supports the decision-making process based on spatial data.
Methods
A well-designed plan and business rules are the keys to successful GIS Operations. The methods are the models and the operating practices that are unique to each organization.
The GIS is supposed to have 5 major component subsystems. They are:
- Input
- Management
- Processing
- Display
- Output
- Input
An input system deals with creating an image-based GIS from the datasets.
- Management
This system serves the purpose of storing, retrieving and managing the database efficiently.
- Processing
This stage involves data manipulation, feature enhancement, and classification, etc.
- Display
Involves the display and the generation of the product.
- Output
This provides the thematic maps, images, etc for the application.