The Service géographique de l'armée (1887 - Present) was created from the French Dépot de la guerre in 1887 and was charged with undertaking all the geodesic, topographic, and cartographic needs of the French army during times of peace and war. The Service was divided into five sections: Geodesy, the Levés de précision, topography, cartography, and accounting. The accounting section dealt with the logistical side of running the Service géographique, including the distribution and shipping of its products.