Most packages require intensive work to create a complete geographic data set and can be
adapted to the needs of the institution which uses the package. Specialists (usually external
consultants) are used to advise on the best applicable settings for these institutions and
allow them to concentrate on their duty without having to worry about the technical details of the
implementation.
Once the geographic data are stored, the referenced data are "connected" and can be accessed by
specifying the geographic location to which they refer. Further manipulation and statistical
analysis of that data is then possible using the manipulation and calculation functions delivered
with the GIS system.
Finally the contents of the geographic database and the results of the analyses may be presented in maps created using the (thematic) mapping facilities of the GIS package.