I feel and honored to extend a hearty welcome to all the participants of National Workshop on Corporate GIS. GIS is proving its potential in helping companies to formulate their sales and marketing strategies. Companies engaged in sales and distribution network, such as pharmaceuticals, consumer products, health care, etc. can be benefited by using GIS techniques. Information can be organized, update, and display on any digital maps pertaining to country, state, town or village. Based on specific requirements the user can access directly geographic and attribute data from the existing database. To be truly effective GIS can be customized solutiontailored to the specific business needs and can be carefully integrated with the total corporate information network.

Companies can keep track of their existing customers, developing new ,markets and meet clients needs in a timely and effective manner. The productively of each sales territory, sales person, distributor, and branch office an actually be seen on the maps. Sales figures and customer sites can be combined to set realistic sales targets and place resources where needed. Thematic maps can be created to depict the territory level and decision makers can quickly assimilate and can analyze information on current sales, market coverage and sales quotas can be set on realistic territory potential. The technology can help the top management get a complete view of sales and marketing status and assist them in taking strategic policy decisions. In addition, it can be of great help in keeping track of increasing national and international competition.

Still, the concept of GIS in the beginning stage in the market. There is a need to create awareness on the applications of GIS technology in corporate sector. I hope that the "National Workshop on Corporate GIS" will facilitate the fruitful interaction between GIS professionals and corporate sector, which may give a thrust to GIS applications in corporate sector.