{"id":38138,"date":"2023-10-10T05:58:40","date_gmt":"2023-10-10T05:58:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.carmatec.com\/?p=38138"},"modified":"2024-01-01T07:04:18","modified_gmt":"2024-01-01T07:04:18","slug":"gis-software-development-a-comprehensive-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.carmatec.com\/blog\/gis-software-development-a-comprehensive-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"GIS Software Development: A Comprehensive Guide 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"38138\" class=\"elementor elementor-38138\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-6b88541 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"6b88541\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-8568712\" data-id=\"8568712\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c782ecf elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c782ecf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">GIS stands for &#8220;Geographic Information System.&#8221; It&#8217;s a bit of a mouthful but stick with me. Break it down:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;Geographic&#8221; means it deals with locations on the Earth.<\/span><\/p><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;Information&#8221; is all the data or facts you want to know about that location.<\/span><\/p><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;System&#8221; is the tool or app that lets you see and work with all this information.<\/span><\/p><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-658395f elementor-toc--minimized-on-tablet elementor-widget elementor-widget-table-of-contents\" data-id=\"658395f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;headings_by_tags&quot;:[&quot;h2&quot;],&quot;exclude_headings_by_selector&quot;:[],&quot;marker_view&quot;:&quot;numbers&quot;,&quot;no_headings_message&quot;:&quot;No headings were found on this page.&quot;,&quot;minimize_box&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;minimized_on&quot;:&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;hierarchical_view&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;min_height&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;min_height_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;min_height_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"table-of-contents.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__header\">\n\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-toc__header-title\">\n\t\t\t\tTable of Contents\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__toggle-button elementor-toc__toggle-button--expand\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"elementor-toc__658395f\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-label=\"Open table of contents\"><i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-chevron-down\"><\/i><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__toggle-button elementor-toc__toggle-button--collapse\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"elementor-toc__658395f\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close table of contents\"><i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-chevron-up\"><\/i><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div id=\"elementor-toc__658395f\" class=\"elementor-toc__body\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__spinner-container\">\n\t\t\t\t<i class=\"elementor-toc__spinner eicon-animation-spin eicon-loading\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-45f8df8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"45f8df8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2><b>What Is A GIS App?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alright, let&#8217;s dive into this in a fun and simple way! Imagine you have a map. This isn\u2019t just any ordinary map where you see roads and rivers. It&#8217;s like a magical map where you can layer on extra pieces of information like weather patterns, population density, or even where the nearest pizza place is. This magical map, in the digital world, is what we call a GIS app.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Why Would Someone Use a GIS App?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Imagine you&#8217;re the mayor of a town. You want to build a new park, but you need to find the perfect spot. With a GIS app, you can see a map of your town, then layer on extra information like:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Where are the most kids living? (Because they love parks!)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Where&#8217;s there a big open space?<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is there a noisy highway nearby? (You wouldn\u2019t want that next to your peaceful park.)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By looking at all this information layered together on your map, you can find the perfect spot for your new park.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>What Else Can It Do?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Well, tons of things! Farmers can use it to see where the best spots are to plant certain crops. Scientists might use it to track where endangered animals are moving. Even businesses use it to decide where to open their next store or how to deliver packages the fastest way.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Why Develop GIS Software?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><b>Urban Planning:<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">City planners use GIS to decide where to build new roads, parks, or schools.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Natural Resource Exploration:<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Industries such as mining or forestry use GIS to find new resources or manage existing ones.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Disaster Response:&nbsp;<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Responders can assess which areas are most affected by natural disasters and efficiently allocate resources.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Retail:<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stores can decide where to open new branches based on population density and shopping patterns.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The applications are vast, making <\/span><b>GIS software development<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> a promising field.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Key Components of GIS Software:<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Map View:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> This is the canvas where geographical data is visualized.<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Data Input:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Tools to add new data, whether from satellite images, sensors, or manual entry.<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Data Management Tools: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Think of these as the organizing shelves. They help store and manage vast amounts of geographical data.<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Analysis Tools:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The brainy bit! These tools help interpret the data, find patterns, or make predictions.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>What are the Components of GIS Software Development?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alright, let&#8217;s dive into the essential pieces that come together to create a GIS (Geographic Information Systems) software. Think of GIS like a jigsaw puzzle; each piece or component is vital to see the full picture. We&#8217;ll break it down in a way that&#8217;s easy to grasp.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><b> Maps and Visual Display<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Imagine opening a map app on your phone. The first thing you see is a visual representation of roads, landmarks, and other geographical features. That&#8217;s the map view \u2013 a fundamental part of any GIS tool.<\/span><\/p>\n<ol start=\"2\">\n<li><b> Data Collection &amp; Storage<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To show details on a map, you need data. This could be information about land types, rivers, road networks, or population. GIS software needs a system to gather this data and a place to store it securely.<\/span><\/p>\n<ol start=\"3\">\n<li><b> Data Management Tools<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ever tried finding a specific photo among thousands on your phone? It can be daunting! Similarly, with all the geographical data a GIS system handles, it needs a set of tools to organize, retrieve, and manage this information efficiently.<\/span><\/p>\n<ol start=\"4\">\n<li><b> User Interface<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is the dashboard or control panel users interact with. Think of it as the buttons and search bars in your map app that let you zoom in, find a location, or plot a route. A good user interface is intuitive and user-friendly.<\/span><\/p>\n<ol start=\"5\">\n<li><b> Analysis and Processing Tools<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now, this is where the magic happens! With these tools, a GIS can take raw data and turn it into meaningful insights. For example, it can analyze traffic data to suggest the quickest route or use weather patterns to predict rainfall in an area.<\/span><\/p>\n<ol start=\"6\">\n<li><b> Reporting and Visualization Features<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once the data is analyzed, it needs to be presented in a way that&#8217;s easy to understand. This could be in the form of charts, graphs, or even 3D models. For instance, a heat map could be used to show areas with high pollution levels.<\/span><\/p>\n<ol start=\"7\">\n<li><b> Navigation and Search Tools<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ever tried finding a cafe or a friend&#8217;s house using a map app? The tools that let you search for a place or get directions are crucial for any GIS software.<\/span><\/p>\n<ol start=\"8\">\n<li><b> Collaboration and Sharing Tools<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In today&#8217;s connected world, the ability to share a map or data with others is vital. These tools allow users to collaborate on projects, share findings, or even integrate with other software.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>What Are The Features?&nbsp;<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Essentially, features are like the special abilities or characteristics that make a product unique or useful.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are some common ways we talk about features:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Basic Features:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> These are the standard or essential characteristics. In a car, this would be wheels, seats, and an engine.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Advanced Features: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Think of these as the extras or bonuses. For the car, this might be heated seats, a sunroof, or advanced voice controls.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Interactive Features:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> These are features that users can engage with. In a software program, it might be the ability to drag and drop items or use voice commands.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Safety Features: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As the name suggests, these are all about safety. For a bicycle, it could be reflectors, brakes, or a bell.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Eco-friendly Features:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> These are characteristics that make a product green or environmentally friendly. Like a reusable water bottle being BPA-free or a car having low emissions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Customizable Features:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> These are parts of a product you can tailor to your liking. On a computer, you can change the wallpaper or adjust brightness based on your preference.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What Tools Are Used to Develop GIS Applications?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">GIS (Geographic Information Systems) applications are sophisticated tools that allow for the capture, storage, manipulation, analysis, and visualization of geographic data. A variety of tools, both software and hardware, are used in their development. Here&#8217;s a basic overview:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Software Tools:<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">GIS Software Platforms:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"3\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ArcGIS: Developed by Esri, it&#8217;s one of the most popular GIS software suites used for analysis, visualization, and management of geographic data.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"3\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ERDAS IMAGINE: A remote sensing application used for advanced image processing.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"3\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">MapInfo: Another widely-used GIS tool for mapping and spatial analysis.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Open Source:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"3\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">QGIS (formerly Quantum GIS): A free and open-source GIS software that offers a lot of functionality.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"3\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">GRASS GIS: A free GIS software used for geospatial data management and analysis.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"3\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PostGIS: An extension to the PostgreSQL database that supports geographic objects allowing location queries to be run in SQL.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Database Management Systems (DBMS): These are used to store, retrieve, and manage spatial data. Examples include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Oracle Spatial<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Microsoft SQL Server Spatial<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PostgreSQL with PostGIS extension<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Web Development Tools: For building web-based GIS applications.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">JavaScript libraries like Leaflet, OpenLayers, and the ArcGIS API for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carmatec.com\/hire-developers\/hire-javascript-developer\/\">JavaScript<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Geoserver and MapServer to serve spatial data to web applications.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remote Sensing Software: For capturing and processing images from satellite or airborne cameras.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ENVI: Used mainly for image analysis.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Orfeo Toolbox: Open-source software for remote sensing.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mobile SDKs: For developing mobile GIS applications. Examples include the ArcGIS Runtime SDK and Mapbox Mobile SDK.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Integrated Development Environments (IDEs): General-purpose IDEs like Eclipse, Visual Studio, or PyCharm can be used with GIS-specific libraries and SDKs.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Hardware Tools:<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Servers: For hosting GIS data and running GIS software, especially in an enterprise or web environment.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">GPS Devices: To capture location data in real-time. They range from simple handheld devices to more sophisticated equipment used in surveying.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remote Sensing Hardware: This includes satellites, drones, and aircraft equipped with cameras and sensors to capture spatial data.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Workstations: Powerful computers designed for complex GIS and remote sensing tasks.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Plotters and Printers: To produce hardcopy maps and visual outputs.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Digitizers: Earlier used to convert paper maps to digital format, though they&#8217;ve been largely replaced by more modern methods.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Approximate Cost of Developing a GIS Software Application<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alright, let&#8217;s break this down into bite-sized chunks! Developing a GIS software application is similar to cooking a gourmet dish \u2013 the final cost depends on the ingredients you use, the chef&#8217;s experience, and where you&#8217;re dining.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>1. The &#8216;Ingredients&#8217; &#8211; Features &amp; Functionality<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Like choosing between a basic salad or a fancy steak dinner, the complexity of your GIS software matters. Basic apps with simple map viewing features will be cheaper, while those with advanced analytics, 3D visualization, or real-time data processing will cost more.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Basic GIS App: Can range from $10,000 to $50,000.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medium Complexity GIS App: Can range from $50,000 to $150,000.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">High-end GIS App: Can start from $150,000 and go upwards.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>2. The &#8216;Chef&#8217; &#8211; Development Team<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hiring a Michelin-star chef costs more than someone just out of culinary school. Similarly, experienced developers or reputable firms will charge more, but the quality often justifies the price.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Freelancers: Can range from $20 to $150 per hour depending on their expertise and location.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Development Agencies: Prices vary greatly based on the region. For example:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">U.S. or Western Europe Agencies: $100 to $250 per hour.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eastern Europe or South American Agencies: $40 to $120 per hour.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Asian Agencies: $20 to $80 per hour.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>3. The &#8216;Location&#8217; &#8211; Platform &amp; Region<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Just as dining in New York can be pricier than in a small town, developing for different platforms or regions can affect the cost.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Platform: Developing a GIS web application might be different in cost from a mobile app. Sometimes, you might want both.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.carmatec.com\/web-application-development-bangalore\/\">Web Application<\/a>: Often a bit cheaper due to the ubiquity of web development tools.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.carmatec.com\/mobile-app-development-company\/\">Mobile Application<\/a>: Developing for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carmatec.com\/mobile-app-development-company\/ios-app-development\/\">iOS<\/a> can be different from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carmatec.com\/mobile-app-development-company\/android-app-development\/\">Android<\/a>. If you want both, the cost rises.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Region: As mentioned above, development costs vary by region. It might be tempting to go for the cheapest option, but always consider quality, reviews, and communication barriers.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>4. Extras &#8211; Maintenance &amp; Updates<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Like going back to a restaurant for dessert or a drink, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carmatec.com\/software-development-company\/\">software development<\/a> doesn&#8217;t end once the app is built. Regular maintenance, updates, and adding new features will incur ongoing costs.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maintenance &amp; Updates: Can be about 10-20% of the initial development cost per year.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>5. Unforeseen Costs<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remember those unexpected appetizers or the impulse dessert? Sometimes there can be unexpected costs in software development due to unforeseen challenges or changing requirements.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Also Read:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&nbsp;<\/span><font color=\"#333366\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px; outline-color: initial !important; outline-width: initial !important;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.carmatec.com\/blog\/how-much-does-it-cost-to-hire-a-software-developer\/\">How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Software Developer?<\/a><\/span><\/font><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>What are the Steps to Develop GIS Software?<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Define the Purpose:<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&nbsp;Are you creating a GIS tool for city planners, farmers, or tourists? Knowing your audience helps tailor your software.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Data Collection:&nbsp;<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gather geographical data from reliable sources. This could be government databases, satellite images, or even crowdsourced.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Choose a Platform:&nbsp;<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Decide if your software will be web-based, a mobile app, or a desktop application. Each has its benefits.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Design the Interface:<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&nbsp;Keep it user-friendly. A simple, intuitive design can be the difference between a widely-used app and one that&#8217;s quickly uninstalled.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Incorporate Analysis Tools:&nbsp;<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Depending on your audience, integrate tools that help make sense of the data. For instance, a farmer might want soil quality analysis.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Testing:&nbsp;<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before launch, test your software thoroughly. This ensures it&#8217;s free from bugs and meets user needs.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Feedback and Update:<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&nbsp;Post-launch, gather feedback and continuously update your software to meet evolving needs.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Wrapping Up<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.carmatec.com\/gis-services-for-business-solutions\/\">GIS software development<\/a> is an exciting field with the potential to impact numerous sectors, from urban planning to environmental conservation. With a clear understanding of its components and a step-by-step approach to development, you&#8217;re well on your way to creating a valuable GIS tool! To know more <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carmatec.com\/contact-us\/\">connect with Carmatec<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>GIS stands for &#8220;Geographic Information System.&#8221; It&#8217;s a bit of a mouthful but stick with me. Break it down: &#8220;Geographic&#8221; means it deals with locations on the Earth. &#8220;Information&#8221; is all the data or facts you want to know about that location. &#8220;System&#8221; is the tool or app that lets you see and work with [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":38143,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4,72,68],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-38138","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-gis-solutions","category-software-development"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.carmatec.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38138","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.carmatec.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.carmatec.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.carmatec.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.carmatec.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=38138"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.carmatec.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38138\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":39536,"href":"https:\/\/www.carmatec.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38138\/revisions\/39536"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.carmatec.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/38143"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.carmatec.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=38138"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.carmatec.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=38138"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.carmatec.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=38138"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}