A Geographic Information System, or GIS, is an electronic information system that allows users to create, manipulate, analyze, and display spatial (geographic) data, along with associated attributes.

It can be used to answer questions about location and changes over time, and to evaluate such patterns as density, feature intersection, proximity, and quantity. Using GIS, an operator can quickly perform complex analyses many times faster than a person could do manually and with less error. This ability to quickly query and analyze the GIS data supports decision making and speeds customer service with faster data retrieval.

A big advantage of GIS is that it provides a means to combine a wide variety of information obtained from a variety of sources. Paper maps may be digitized or scanned and translated into the GIS. Aerial imagery may be used to provide additional information which can be added to the GIS database. Existing GIS data from other sources, and in other formats, can also greatly enhance the information available within a GIS. By promoting data sharing between departments and agencies, and thus reducing data redundancy, a GIS can greatly lower the costs of data development and maintenance.