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What Is GIS Data?

If you’re new to GIS data, don’t know where to start, or you just don’t understand how GIS data can help you, this guide is going to be for you. GIS may appear complex, in many ways it can be, but it can also be very beneficial to your company. Once you’re done with this article, not only will you be aware of the fundamentals of GIS but also possess an expanded and accurate word bank to confidently engage in conversations about GIS and its related technologies.

What Is GIS?

Through a Geographic Information System (GIS), you can unify location-based data with attributes and other descriptive characteristics. This technology allows for the creation, management, analysis, and mapping of all types of spatial information which creates powerful insights into where things are located along with what they’re like in that area. By leveraging GIS, you can comprehend relationships and patterns, as well as their geographical context. This resource is integral for science and practically every industry! The advantages of using this tool are vast: improved communication between users, amplified efficiency in tasks completed, plus better management decisions that have emerged from efficient analysis.

Location details in the GIS industry are commonly termed “spatial data.” These could come as an address, a set of coordinates showing latitude and longitude, or complex three-dimensional shapes. Rather than delve into semantics or get bogged down with technical terms, it’s likely you are here to learn what most people mean when they say “GIS” and its worthiness for your organization.

How Is GIS Data Used?

Countless numbers of companies across the globe, from virtually every industry, are harnessing the power of Geographical Information Systems (GIS). By using GIS to create maps that communicate and analyze data efficiently, businesses have been able to share information easily and solve complex problems. This revolutionary technology is transforming how we do business on a global scale!

GIS can do a lot, but it is essentially used to create maps from data. What’s more – the maps that are created will show you spatial relationships between different elements in your data set, allowing for comprehensive and insightful analysis of your information.

This type of technology can help you with;

  • Monitoring changes
  • Forecasting
  • Identifying problems, issues, concerns
  • Event management and responses
  • Understanding trends
  • Setting priorities

People can easily identify patterns when they are displayed in a visual way, like a graph, table, chart, or map. A lot of time and effort can be saved. Things that might take an hour or two to find in a spreadsheet can be found faster if a map, table, or chart is used instead.

By utilizing map and interactive displays, the sky’s the limit for uncovering useful insights in your data. This could include plotting markers or color coding locations based on the values each would possess; thus enhancing your exploration capabilities. Creating heat maps showing areas of greater or lesser value are another option you have.

With so many options at hand, there is an inexhaustible supply of potential discoveries just waiting to be tapped into.

  • Maps: Maps are an efficient way to store, view and share data layers and analytics with virtually anyone in the world. GIS maps can be easily embedded into applications for added convenience, allowing users access from any device at any location.
  • Analysis: Spatial analysis can help you understand the potential and suitability of a geographic area, forecast outcomes, interpret data in new ways, and much more – offering valuable insight to inform your decisions.
  • Data: Geographical Information Systems (GIS) harnesses several types of data layers by connecting them to a geographic component. This combination of information from imagery, features, and basemaps with spreadsheets and tables creates the powerful GIS data tool.
  • Apps: GIS Apps are designed to simplify the task of getting work done and make geo-spatial data more accessible for all. These apps can be used anywhere – from cell phones, to tablets, web browsers and desktops! Regardless of where you access them, these applications provide an incredibly focused user experience so that everyone can take advantage of their benefits.

Who Uses GIS?

Here at BIS, we use GIS data to work with government agencies. Governments are not the only one that can benefit from GIS, there’s a wide range of sectors where this technology is building strong, efficient, data driven relationships.

How Much Does GIS Costs?

Yes, GIS is an investment, it’s going to cost you money. However, there are both free and paid GIS options you can choose from. It all depends on your unique scenario and what you’re trying to accomplish.

If you want to get an estimate, give us a call or fill out our contact form, we can then give you an estimate based on your unique situation. It would be tough to give an estimate on GIS data costs without knowing the specifics of what you need and what you’re trying to accomplish.

Final Thoughts

While we did have an opportunity to discuss GIS data in this article, there’s still a lot more you can learn about GIS. Here at TCGD, we have many articles that cover GIS data in-depth, so be sure to check those out. 

If you have questions about GIS, want to learn more, need a quote, or need anything else, we’re always here to help. Be sure to reach out and our team will be with you right away.



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How Texas County GIS Maps Help Businesses & Taxpayers

How Texas County GIS Maps Help Businesses & Taxpayers

Whether it’s a business owner prospecting new clients, or two neighbors determining whose land a tree sits on, BIS GIS mapping consultants provide accurate, up-to-date information in countless situations.

Here is an example of how a Texas county GIS map helped a local business recently.

The owner of a local timber company used a Texas county GIS data map as a prospecting and evaluation tool with great success.

The timber company visited their local county website and selected GIS parcel data on an area they planned to work in. They looked for large parcels of land to target clients. Then they turned on the aerial imagery background to see the amount of tree foliage.

The business utilized the measuring tool to get a rough estimate of the treeline, then calculated the total acreage of trees for usable timber. Knowing the parcel acreage allowed the timber company to make a rough estimate of their revenue for each job.

By using tools provided within the Texas county GIS map, the timber company was able to make better business decisions. The timber company shared with us that they are grateful for this government service that assists local business owners.

Business owners aren’t the only ones who receive value from our Texas county GIS maps. In addition to being a helpful business development and prospecting tool, Texas county GIS data maps are also valuable for those looking to lease property.  We often receive calls from the public who mention that interactive maps allow them to see property information and print maps without having to bother appraisal district staff.

Whether you are a timber company prospecting new clients, or a taxpayer trying to determine the boundaries of your property, BIS GIS mapping consultants provide accurate, up to date information in countless situations.

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Top 7 Marketing Ideas for Real Estate Postcards in 2022

Are you looking to become THE go-to agent in a neighborhood? Real estate farming postcards are an effective and low-cost way to solicit an entire neighborhood at once.

We have seven hot tips on how to leverage your real estate postcard mailing campaign to land more clients.

Here are our top 7 marketing ideas for creating effective real estate farming postcards.

  1. Personalization gets attention. “Hey…They know my name!” Address your real estate postcard or letter to the owner’s unique name, instead of “Dear Homeowner”. Add the name of the neighborhood (Highland Village) on the front of the real estate postcard for even higher engagement.
  2. Define your boundary. It is unrealistic to market to an entire county or city. Instead, target a specific zone. Look for neighborhoods with appealing features, like an award-winning school district, and mail your real estate postcard in the summer months before the next school year starts. Texas County GIS property owner data includes the school district, owner’s name, and complete mailing address.
  3. Find your blue ocean. Lots of competition? Target a neighborhood where another agent has not already staked their claim before initiating your real estate postcard campaign.
  4. Make mailers affordable. Texas County GIS Data offers property owner data that is affordable, ranging from $50-$200 per county.
  5. Diversify your marketing strategy. Market where people live. Stay top of mind in the area by appearing in the local paper, community Facebook page, on the bulletin board at the neighborhood cafe, and in resident’s mailboxes. Ask the local coffee shop and grocery store to hang up your flyer to advertise your services.
  6. Use updated addresses. Texas County GIS data offers data that is updated nightly, so you won’t waste money sending real estate postcards to the wrong house or owner who has moved.
  7. Mail more than once. Consistency is key. Don’t just send real estate postcards when you need listings: do it year-round. Some owners with children may be more likely to move when school is out during the summer months. Other owners may change jobs at the start of the new year. More real estate postcards means more chances of getting noticed.

View our Texas County GIS Data maps to create your own targeted prospecting list here. Our ownership information includes each property’s mailing address with city state and zip code, plus the owner’s name.
Good luck with your next real estate farming postcard campaign!

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Which Location Is Right For Wind Energy?

Get Location Data Right on Your Next Solar or Wind Project in Texas

Texas has the highest wind generation capacity in the United States. With its long, sunny days, Texas has high solar production potential as well. With both wind and solar projects, location is a critical component of determining production.

Texas County GIS Data’s Renewable Energy maps help you determine the best placement of your wind or solar projects for maximum output. By using quality location data, you can make quality decisions.

Texas County GIS Data’s Renewable Energy maps are available for instant download and are the best way to perform a site suitability analysis for your next wind or solar project.  Our data is valuable for energy exploration, siting location studies and land rights acquisition and leasing.

 

How can Texas County GIS data be used for renewable energy analysis?

Our GIS data allows for analysis of distance to cities, population, and more. Our data is used for analysis of energy production, transmission and delivery. This data allows you to analyze the impact and determine the optimum route for transmission and distribution lines.

 

Why use Texas County GIS data for renewable energy analysis?

Many owners purchase outdated land ownership and asset information. Utilizing our data saves time and money by identifying high potential areas. We have continuously updated data: in some counties, the data even refreshes nightly.

We offer an instant download of GIS information. Just like our name says, we are the go-to source for Texas GIS data.

Texas County GIS Data is your one-stop shop for updated GIS data in the state of Texas. We are proud to offer a single download, professional subscription service.

Download our Texas GIS data to start your next wind or solar project.

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The Top Four Reasons To Use Texas County Data From BIS

The Top Four Reasons To Use Texas County Data From BIS

We know that customers have choices of where they get their Texas County GIS data. There are options from Enverus to IHS Markit to companies like BIS.

Read insight from an expert in the GIS space, Alex Sanders. He enjoys fishing, golfing, coaching duaghter’s soccer team, is an avid Star Wars fan and GIS Manager and here to share his wisdom.
Why would clients purchase Texas county GIS data from BIS? What is better about BIS data?

  1. Our data is fresh. We are the premiere provider of updated property ownership and tax roll information for the state. We receive frequently updated county tax and property ownership information for over ⅔ of the state of Texas.
  2. Our data can be updated in our client’s system automatically. We offer direct server access through a REST interface for our subscription clients. With our REST interface, you don’t have to worry about manual updates. As Texas GIS data changes, updates get automatically pulled into your map. We feel it is important to leverage the newest technologies, like the REST interface, to make a seamless experience for our clients.
  3. Our data is easy to read and easy to use. You could compile thousands of tables of information, clean it, then upload it into your database, but no one grows up hoping to reformat Texas parcel data. Let us do the heavy lifting and provide one easy-to-read, updated file. Texas county GIS maps from BIS are clean and easy to use.
  4. Data delivery is immediate. Clients can instantaneously download the Texas GIS parcel data from our website in a GIS file format. (Sneak peek: we are developing an Excel spreadsheet format that will be available in the future!)

What is your relationship with the source data?

Texas GIS parcel data is publicly available information. Between The Freedom of Information Act and The Public Information Act, citizens have access to government records. This means that individuals can access Texas county ownership and tax roll information independently.

Often when this data is requested from the county itself, it is not easy to read or use. BIS is contracted to provide services to many counties in Texas. We leverage the data we receive from the counties to benefit all, and offer our services of standardizing and normalizing the data. We pull data from the county nightly in most cases, normalize the data and package it in a way that is easily digestible. We package our data in a way that can easily be used with other applications for our customers.

Whether you are in oil & gas, healthcare, real estate or local government, there are major benefits from using the Texas county GIS maps from BIS. Visit our website to download Texas county GIS maps at https://texascountygisdata.com.