GIS – The Geospatial Data IT Paradigm for the Next Century:

GIS has developed from a simple intelligent mapping system to a complete geospatial information technology (IT) solution. GIS has traditionally been underused in the geothermal industry, however its power, cost effectiveness, and user-friendliness has improved to a level that should make it attractive to even the smallest of companies. GIS is limited only by creativity and can improve access, analysis, and visualization of all geospatial data. An Awibengkok core GIS is used as an example of nontraditional GIS usage. In this GIS, core images are linked to a “map” of the core. Other related items, such as XRD data, are also attached to the core “map” as hot-links driven by specialized code. This is done in a graphical user interface (GUI) environment that can be customized for individual needs. It is suggested that the implementation of GIS within the geothermal industry will provide a pathway to maintain technological excellence well into the next century. As part of this effort, database standardization is recommended to simplify data transfer and usage.