What Is A Geographic Information System (GIS)?
“A geographic information system (GIS) integrates hardware, software, and data for capturing, managing, analyzing, and displaying all forms of geographically referenced information.” as defined by http://www.GIS.com 
GIS is a way for people to know more about the world around them and to use that information to make better decisions for themselves and their surroundings. For Winneshiek County, GIS helps departments to locate and identify their resources, and make better decisions for the residents and consumers of their services.
“Knowing where things are, and why, is essential to rational decision making”
Jack Dangermond – President, Chief Executive Officer, and Co-Founder of Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI)