A Geographic Information System/Spatial Information Management (GIS) is a collection of software and geographic data for capturing, managing, analyzing, and displaying all forms of geographically referenced information. In a conservative sense, it is a computer system that is capable of integrating, storing, editing, analyzing, sharing, and displaying geographically referenced information. In a more generic sense, GIS is a tool that allows users to create interactive queries (searches), analyze the spatial information, edit data and maps, and present the results.
As an information integration tool, GIS has a wide range of applications. The possibility of integrating spatial and alphanumeric data has made it widely applicable to a variety of fields. Recently, there has been a growing interest among organizations to use GIS to enhance decision making processes at both strategic as well as operational levels. GIS addresses many information needs of the decision makers. It helps them leverage their spatial data more efficiently, by visually bringing together relationships among customers, suppliers, and competitors.
The GIS market in China is entering a transition phase with the entry of foreign players, involvement of local telecom operators, infrastructural development, and impetus from the government. Favorable government policies and government support for the domestic GIS software market are propelling the growth of the Chinese GIS industry. In the Eleventh Five Year Plan, GIS technology has been ranked as one of the four important issues in Earth Observation and Navigation area by the Chinese government. 2008 Olympics game, held in China, also provided the impetus for the growth of this industry. The use of LBS for traffic information, planning of driving lines of athletes, and navigation of audiences' games watching lines facilitated the growth of the GIS industry.
Despite these favorable factors, a few areas that need improvement to sustain the rapid growth of the GIS market in China are: availability of geographic information spatial data, involvement from private players, clear industry division, and maturity of the industry chain.
The report by TechNavio Insights forecasts the size of the Geographic Information System (GIS) market in China over the period 2008-2012. Further, it discusses the key market trends, drivers and inhibitors of the GIS market in China, and profiles some of the key vendors of this market.