GIS at the Smithsonian Institution Geographic Information
Systems (GIS) relate to the overall emphases of the Smithsonian
Institution, which are as follows: First, with infrastructure
improvement, GIS technology can be coupled with facilities
software for monitoring and maintaining the physical plant and
grounds of the museum complex. Second, GIS may be used with
other tools for planning and designing floor space. Floor plans
in most computer-aided drafting (CAD) formats can be easily
transferred to GIS. Information concerning department personnel,
space assignments, exhibit layouts, utilities, and
furniture/equipment inventories can be accessed from existing
museum data bases. Short- and long-term planning with GIS for
both current and projected space requirements enable the user
to: lay out permanent and movable walls, doors, windows, and
supporting building services such as HVAC, electrical and
lighting systems; locate available space; and explore
alternative solutions for placing large exhibits or departm