Glossary Updates12 new terms added to the glossaries · October 2, 2026, 22:44 CEST
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Glossary · Automation fundamentals, platforms and components

Geographic information system (GIS)

Also known as: GIS

German: Geografisches Informationssystem (GIS)

In information technology, a geographic information system (GIS) is software that captures, stores, analyzes and displays data linked to locations on the earth's surface.

  • Automation components

In one sentence

A geographic information system (GIS) captures, stores, analyzes and displays data linked to geographic locations.

Example

A water utility shows the positions of all pumping stations and their SCADA status on a GIS map, so field crews can plan routes.

How it applies

  • Engineering: In utilities, pipelines and energy networks, GIS holds the network topology and asset positions; SCADA and asset management systems link to it.
  • Operation: Maps with live status help locate faults and coordinate field crews.
  • Documentation: Asset records in GIS should use the same identifiers as the plant documentation and SCADA tags, so information can be traced between systems. Document the coordinate reference system used.
  • Maintenance: Field crews use GIS maps on mobile devices to find assets, record inspections and report defects with position data.

GIS vs. SCADA

Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) monitors and controls processes in real time. GIS manages spatial data and analysis. Integrating them gives a geographic view of live data but they remain separate systems with different update cycles.

By knowledge.aitechdoc.world · Published September 26, 2026 · Last reviewed

Source: AI TechDoc Knowledge editorial definition, based on general GIS practice

Definitions follow the cited standards and specifications. Where a source is a copyrighted publication, such as an ISO, IEC or EN standard, the definition is a close paraphrase, not a verbatim quotation, so as not to infringe copyright. We recommend reading the original publication. The sections “How it applies” are editorial commentary by AI TechDoc Knowledge and are not part of any standard.

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