Avatech OSIS, HSGT's (Hitachi Software Global Technology's) Any*GIS, and Intergraph's GeoMedia are among tools for CAD and geographical information system (GIS) integration via drawing and analysis. CAD and GIS should be integrated because it can enhance the work of many design professionals, including engineers, architects, and other CAD users. Such users can get a better understanding of complicated issues through the use of spatial data, and geographers and planners can increase GIS project accuracy through inclusion of CAD-based drawing and editing tools. Many agencies also now require that engineers integrate GIS into their projects. New opportunities emerge with integrated CAD and GIS, allowing architects and engineers to work in such segments as facility management, security assessment, homeland security, urban analysis and revitalization, and asset management. File translation is the most straightforward way to integrate CAD and GIS and requires conversion of one file format to another. Anther method described is direct read, in which data is read and converted dynamically. MicroStation GeoGraphics can make MicroStation a robust geospatial environment that allows spatial analysis, creation of thematic maps, and storage attributes used with other datasets. Any*GIS is an object-oriented, multi-layered system that permits integration of all formats and sources through a single Web interface for easy access to GIS and CAD over the Internet. Any*GIS is Open GIS technical specification-conforming, and supports GIS data sources, including those of Autodesk, ESRI, Intergraph, MapInfo, Oracle, and Smallworld. GeoMedia 5.2 is a full toolset for attribute and spatial query, spatial overlays, and thematic mapping that has a new and more user-friendly user interface. GeoMedia 5.2 supports open standards and offers direct access to all leading GIS and CAD data formats.