What is GIS?

GIS means Geographic Information Systems.  

Trying to define it is difficult, but here's our best try!

GIS allows us to view, understand, question, interpret, and visualize data in many ways that reveal relationships, patterns, and trends in the form of maps, globes, reports, and charts.  A GIS helps you answer questions and solve problems by looking at your data in a way that is quickly understood and easily shared.  GIS technology can be integrated into virtually anything... as long as it has a location associated with it.  (and it usually does)

We offer a wide variety of services that all coalesce around location, more or less. Put in an IT Service Request or come visit us on the 3rd floor to learn more about how we can help:

• Map-based analysis: Knowing where things are located can help us to understand patterns and also provide perspective on problems.
• GIS data creation: Do you have data that you need to see on a map?
• Custom map creation: Yes, we still make maps! Let us know what sort of map you need.
• Ready-to-go DC maps: Need a simple Ward, ANC or other DC-centric map? Here’s where you can find those and many more in standard print sizes:
  • DC Office of Planning Map Library
• GIS Software and Account Setup: Need ArcGIS Desktop, Citrix, ArcGIS Online or Cyclomedia accounts? Just let us know and we’ll set you up.
• GIS Training: Every month (mostly), we like to hold a focused “Brownbag Lunch” training session that we think would be useful to the staff here at DDOT.