GIMS has been involved in training of the ESRI range of products since 1989. During this period the GIS community has experienced almost unbelievable advances in technology - from command line instruction typing on mainframe computers to the fully Windows integrated drag-and-drop product on desktop computers.

GIMS is the sole authorised distributor for Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) software in southern Africa. All courses provided by GIMS are accredited by ESRI and presented by authorised lecturers.

As an approved ISETT Education and Training Provider (ISETT ETQA Provider Nr: APP 01 000 070), GIMS has positioned itself to provide GIS training of the highest standard. The company specialises in the provision of customised courses at client sites. An integrated approach is used for this training and it allows the integration of client data as well as previously designed example data to teach concepts and methodology.

GIMS has realised that there is a growing need to collaborate with mentoring, internship and learnership programs that introduce students to the exciting world of GIS. A one-day GIS workshop was designed to expose students to GIS. Students studying in information technology, any of the natural sciences (eg, geography, surveying, agriculture, environmental studies etc) or those in the field of utilities (water, facilities, electricity delivery etc) will benefit from this course. These courses are provided at a nominal fee and mentoring, internship and learnership facilitators can contact GIMS to arrange groups (12 students) to attend these specially designed workshops. School groups can also make use of this opportunity.

GIMS has recently presented the workshop mentioned above to student groups from the Inroads-South Africa Internship program. Some feedback from the students after the course were:

"I enjoyed the course and found it quite enlightening. Not only have I gained knowledge about geographic information systems, I am convinced I would like to work with GIS" - Nonhlanhla Nxumalo.

"The most important thing I gained from the course is that there is more to IT than programming, and GIS is the way to link geography and IT together" - Miss Thandeka Gqiba.

"It helped me understand and gave me direction. It got me thinking about my course and future prospects" - Mr Socrates Hlapolosa.

"I learned the importance of GIS in business and why data is important. It opened a new vision for myself" - Mr Tebogo Masakale.

GIMS has redesigned its Introduction to GIS course. The new two-day course curriculum aims at making managers and prospective users aware of what GIS is all about, how it works and to place attendees within the GIS community in South Africa. This course will cover aspects such as:

* Exploring basic functionality (including an attempt to make your own first map).

* Data issues relevant for SA.

- Where to find data.

- Issues around projections.

* Hardware requirements for GIS users.

* An introduction to ESRI GIS software (explaining the different types of software and a preview of future developments).

* Career paths in GIS.

* GIS societies and ISETT ETQA.

* Successful South African projects/applications using GIS technology.

GIMS also provides training in the following courses:

* Introduction to ArcGIS I.

* Introduction to ArcGIS II.

* Introduction to ArcView 3.x.

* Advanced ArcView 3.x.

* Migrating from ArcView 3.x to ArcView 8.x.

* Building Geodatabases I.

* Building Geodatabases II.

* Introduction to ArcIMS.

* ArcIMS Administration.

* Introduction to ArcSDE.

* Working with Spatial Analyst 8.

* Fundamentals of remote sensing.

* Advancing with ERDAS Imagine.

For more information on the above-mentioned training courses, contact the pre-sales and training manager Lizette Rust, or the training administrator Andrea Strydom on 011 695 0400, training@gims.com or www.gims.com