Who is responsible for managing the GIS systems and their applications?

The responsibility for managing GIS systems and their applications fundamentally lies with people, as they are the ones who design, implement, maintain, and utilize these systems. This includes not only GIS administrators but also a variety of professionals such as analysts, developers, and cartographers, each contributing their expertise to the effective functioning of a GIS.

While software developers may create the applications and tools used within GIS, and data analysts utilize the GIS for data analysis and interpretation, it is ultimately human management that ensures the systems run effectively. This management involves overseeing workflows, solving technical issues, training users, and making decisions about system upgrades and data management. Cartographers also play a vital role in using GIS to create maps and visualize data, but they are just one aspect of the overall management structure. Hence, identifying "people" as responsible reflects the collaborative and multifaceted nature of GIS management.