GeoHealth Mapping GIS Training

The first step in conducting geospatial analyses is selecting the GIS software. A number of commercial and free GIS software applications are available, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. Some examples include

Commercial

• ArcGIS (Esri)
• MapInfo

Open source

• QGIS
• DevInfo
• DIVA-GIS
• Epi Map
• DHIS

Information regarding available software is available at http://www.cpc.unc.edu/measure/publications/ms-13-80.

Selection of suitable GIS software will depend on a user's needs and resources. Some key factors to consider include

• The software's ability to manage spatial data
• The software's ability to support geographic display
• The software's ability to perform spatial analysis
• The cost and terms of the software's user license
• User-friendliness and performance
• Industry, organizational, and personal preference
• Existing user support (such as forums, on-call technical assistance, etc.)

This training will utilize the free and open-source software QGIS, developed by the Open Source Geospatial Foundation (OSGeo). QGIS allows users to create, edit, visualize, analyze, and publish geospatial information, without the cost of commercial software.

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