The leading GIS applications are available now on the Compaq Alpha platform. When you have found an application of interest, click on its name to link to information about the application, or click on the other links for background information about its developers. For example, layers can represent terrain characteristics, census data, demographics information, environmental and ecological data, roads, land use, river drainage and flood plains, and rare wildlife habitats.
Different applications create and use different layers.
GIS systems are dynamic and permit rapid updating, analysis, and display. The GIS industry is growing rapidly as improved technology drives expansion into new areas such as retail, banking, and healthcare. The lower cost of desktop processing has made the technology more affordable. This page lists general-purpose GIS applications. Major uses for GIS technology include management of natural resources and distribution of electricity, gas, water and oil - see the Energy Management Applications page for details.