With GIS, a mapping software system uses maps stored in digital or data form. These maps can be boundary maps (property, zip code, county, area code, state, etc), segment maps (streets, railroads, waterways, etc.), or point maps (places, addresses, center of property, etc.). You can create your own maps of any type if you wish. Everything in the mapping software system is based on the geography of our Earth. It is entirely based upon Earth coordinates.

Now, add the element of your data or databases, and you can do some VERY clever and useful things. For example...

(click on image for larger version)

Turn your customer list...	Into this... (addresses plotted on street maps)
Or... Turn your customer list...	Into this... (zip codes shaded based on data such as sales figures)
Global Positioning System (GPS) can even be used in conjunction with GIS to provide real-time positioning anywhere on Earth! (GPS is a military controlled satellite system of 24 satellites around the Earth which provides position information anywhere on the planet) Using GPS doesn't mean it has to be real-time either. You can use GPS to mark positions for surveying, base-lining, marking places so you don't forget them, etc. Here is an example of GPS with GIS...
GPS track of a driving trip...	GPS track of an airplane trip in a Cessna

• Shade and manage your sales territories on a World or US map.
• Plot all of your incoming 800 # calls on a World or US map.
• Shade an area map based on service call volume to allow you to better manage your technicians.
• Etc.