Geographical Information System software Evaluated

The state-manufactured geographical information system (GIS) software is recovering its market share. By the end of last year, it held 28.9% of the market share compared with almost nothing five years ago. This shows that the GIS industry has already started to form, according to the GIS 2000 Evaluation Conference.

GIS is an integrated storage and application system by combining digital imaging and advanced database technology. GIS plays a significant role in China's economic development and national security.

The Ministry of Science and Technology has made the development of the GIS software, which has an independent copyright, one of the most important key projects in the "Ninth Five-year Plan." After four years, great progress has been made in GIS technology and products. The MapGIS software produced by the state played a major role in the "Shenzhou" spacecraft launch. In addition, the Wuhan Power Network System, so far the largest scale of GIS, was successfully built with the Grow software, also produced by the state.

In order to inspect the results of GIS, Ministry of Science and Technology organizes a group of experts to evaluate the GIS annually. This year, 31 software programs were evaluated. The evaluation said that the level of GIS software has improved compared to last year, had a more mature foundation and greater variety of applications.



People's Daily Online --- http://www.peopledaily.com.cn/english/