DEFINING THE
GEOSPATIAL TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY
Question 3: Please select the definition below with
which you most agree.
|
DEFINITION |
FREQ |
% |
|
1 |
27 |
38.57 |
|
2 |
17 |
24.29 |
|
3 |
15 |
21.43 |
|
4 |
11 |
15.71 |
Questions 4:
What changes, if any, would you suggest to improve the definition you
have just chosen in the previous questions?
(Answers listed below as individual comments)
·
DEF 1 (27; 38.57%):
The geospatial technology industry is an information technology field of
practice that acquires, manages, interprets, integrates,
displays, analyzes, or otherwise uses data focusing on the geographic,
temporal, and spatial context. It also includes the development and life-cycle
management of information technology tools to support the above.
Individual
comments from respondents who chose DEF 1 (direct quotes, as is):
o
I
really dislike the term GIS. We really
should be focused on data integration and use the geospatial component as just
another set of data attributes to define data location. There has been so much focus on GIS as a
technology that we have lost focus on the business case. GIS as a technology is simply an enabler to
improve business performance. I believe
that we have gotten to wrapped up in the science and forgetten the true business driver that was to improve
performance and bottem line profitabiltiy.
o
A
stronger emphasis on software development and data management.
o
The
geospatial technology industry is an information technology field of practice
that acquires, manages, interprets, integrates,
displays, analyzes, or otherwise uses data focusing on the geographic,
temporal, and spatial as it applies to property and plant.
o
Elements
that are missing or not emphasized is the increased importance of dissemination
-- think of what Google is doing.
Second, the importance of location as an enabler (as opposed to killer
app) for other types of applications.
Again, think of what the major portals are doing to integrate location
as part of their web search. Other IT
organizations are doing the same to integrate location into their business
(CRM, BI, ERP) applications.
o
I
like this definiton as it is.
o
add
some of the technologies included in the second definition
o
None
of these capture the growing importance of geospatial in 1.) enterprise
workflow and integration, web (and other) consumer services, and communications
infrastructures. And some are still to GIS centric.
o
This
definition should also include, management,
visualization, and distribution of data.
It also should include development of visualizational
tools which enhance the abilty of a GIS system to
display particular data needed by departments or groups with widely different
needs, i.e. corporate communications, construction workers during and after
storms, inspection needs, etc.
o
No
one definition completely captures the geospatial industry, but I think the
first one does the best job.
o
Don't
like any of the choices above, but it should be short & general. How about The geospatial technology industry works with information
about places or geography that was traditionally shown on maps. It acquires,
manages, interprets, integrates, displays, analyzes,
or otherwise uses geospatial data for the benefit of society.
o
I
would merge the first two definitions.
o
This
definition is for the "technology" industry not for the geospatial
industry.
o
Add
the words archive, storage, and distribution.
Use the technologies listed in #2 in parentheses to explain the
information technology tools in #1.
o
The
geospatial technology industry is an information technology field of practice
that acquires, manages, interprets, integrates,
displays, analyzes, or otherwise refines data focusing on a geographic, temporal,
or spatial context. It also includes the development and life-cycle management
of information technology tools, requiring hardware and software design,
development, implementation and testing of GIS and cartographic display
software, global positioning systems (GPS), location-based services (LBS),
mobile and web GIS, and remote sensing.
o
I
went with the first definition because it places it within a larger
context of information technology. I
would add this sentence to it.
Geospatial technologies include a wide array of technologies, such as
GIS software, global positioning systems (GPS), location-based services (LBS),
mobile GIS, remote sensing, and Web GIS.
o
I
prefer the first option but would include the areas of concern in option 2, the
utilization of GIS for real-world problems in option 3, and the role of
academia found in option 4.
o
additional
emphasis on enterprise integration, and standard IT/Software development
practices
·
DEF 2 (17;
24.29%): The geospatial technology industry is concerned with the design,
development, implementation and use of geographic information systems
technologies. GIS technologies include a wide array of technologies, such as
GIS software, global positioning systems (GPS), location-based services (LBS),
mobile GIS, remote sensing, and Web GIS.
Individual
comments from respondents who chose DEF 2 (direct quotes, as is):
o
The
geospatial technology industry is concerned with the production of georeferenced data and the transformation of such data into
useful information. The design, development, implementation, management, and
use of geospatial technologies, including geographic information systems (GIS)
software, global navigation satellite systems (including GPS and Galileo),
location-based services (LBS), mobile GIS, remote sensing, and Web GIS, are
instrumental in the production of geospatial data and information."
o
All
four definitions have some merits, but I agree mostly with the definition two.
I was debating between def. #1 and # 2. But, #2 definitely describes better in
the future workforce development context. If you mix/combine the two it may be
better.
o
Add
photogrammetry and surveying.
o
Many
but to define this intelligently, I would need 3 hours minimum.
o
I
would say all three are true - in my opinion it would depend on the audience
you are targeting as to which definition I would utilize.
o
I
think a combination of the first two definitions is the most appropriate.
o
leave
out specific terms such as location-based services and GPS in favor of more
generic and longer lasting terms e.g. georeferencing
techniques (including GPS, photogrammetry and more)
o
Consider
combining 1 and 2....concerned with design, development, implementation and use
of geographic information systems technologies to acquire, manage, interpret,
integrate, display.....
o
Our
world continues to move toward spatial orientation, location-based services and customer
relationship management are key to providing vital services as well as keeping
customers. This focus contings to grow the importance of Geospatial information
and technology and bringing its use to every individual in the electronic
world.
o
I
would add the last sentence of the first definition to the one I have chosen. I
would also add the following
"This industry is about life-cycle management of enabling
technologies, of the education and growth of career practitioners, and of the
applications and data required to support cross-discipline use."
o
Industry
must be defined by the specific market segments that it serves, so I would
review the 2nd option and revist the definition to be
sure to include the simple word "mapping" into the definition. The world relates to maps and the visual
representation of data through maps. Market
segments should also defined and easily understood (ie. Software, equipment, and services segments).
o
I
think we need to capture the fact that geographic information is an enterprise
resource for companies and is used daily in virtually all aspects of companies
operations. It supports the physical deployment of network, tecnology
and LBS using a variety GIS Technologies. But, even more important, it supports
a companies ability to make economic and service
decisions based on accurate and up to date information about their assets. The
typical business units supported by these tools and the enterprise GIS
information include; Planning, Engineering, Operations, Provisioning,
Maintenance, Marketing and Accounting. The above is a long description of what
I think needsd to be captured in a few words.
·
DEF 3 (15;
21.43%): The broad domain of geographic information science & technology
(GIS&T) represents a body of knowledge that focuses in an analytic fashion
upon various aspects of spatial and spatio-temporal
information and therefore constitutes, in some of its aspects, a science. In
other aspects, where the focus is largely upon the utilization of GIScience to attain solutions to real-world problems, it
has more of an engineering flavor with attention being given to both the
creation and use of complex tools that embody the concepts of GIScience. The focus of GIS&T education is concepts and
methods for geographic problem solving in a computation environment.
Individual
comments from respondents who chose DEF 3 (direct quotes, as is):
o
Include
It also includes the development and life-cycle management of information
technology tools to support the above. Need refer to the use of the technology
for business applications and for the health and well-being of local, state and
federal government.
o
Combine
the first definition with it. I think a
combination of 1 & # would be best.
o
I
believe when Duane Marble coined "GIS&T" he meant to have the GI
separated from the S&T ("GI S&T"). For many of us, it is also
useful to specify geographic information systems as "GIS", while
using "GISci" as an acronym for geographic
information science, in order to avoid confusion. Also, Marble has an article coming out in
the winter issue of ArcNews, "Who are We -
Defining the Components of the Geospatial Workforce.
o
Because
of the scientific nature of the underlying theories for spatial analysis, it is
essential to include in any definition those organizations and individuals in
the higher education community who are engaged in relevant instructional
activities.
o
I'm
not real happy with any of those definitions. 1, 2, and 4 are all systems
(hardware and software) based, whereas 3 is the only one to mention science,
yet the definition does not sound very scientific..."flavor"
o
The
broad domain of geographic information science & technology (GIS&T)
analyzes various aspects
of spatial and spatio-temporal data and
information. GIS&T applies sound scientific principals to attain solutions
to real-world problems while creating and utilizing complex computational and
decision-making tools. GIS&T education includes the concepts and methods
for problem solving in a geographic computational environment.
o
Include
some of definition 2 - i.e. indicate that it includes GPS, GIS, RS, Web, LBS,
etc. The definition needs to be broad
enough as in 3, but include some specifics to give people something to
"latch onto."
o
This
definition covers the breadth of our field best. But the language is a little high-flown. Make sentences more direct, simplify language
where possible.
o
I
would say that GIScience is more closely associated
with ecology and science systems than engineering. This is because it GIScience
tends to look at all possible factors (particuarly
human action) as they may influence the geographical phenomenon being
considered. Furthermore, I work with engineers and there is a distinct
difference in the two disciplines. A
scientist and engineer are not in my opinion are not the same.
o
It
is too wordy. Edit it.
o
The
geo-spatial community exists to establish standards for measuring and
validating geo-spatial data integrity to ensure cartographic accuracies (i.e.
statistical quantifiable analysis) exists to support the scientific nature of
the technology.
·
DEF 4 (11;
15.71%): The geospatial industry engages, at a variety of spatial scales, in
the acquisition, integration, analysis, visualization, management and
distribution of data having an explicit spatial and temporal context. A
critical component of the industry involves the design, construction and
testing of both hardware and software tools to support these activities.
Because of the highly technical nature of the industry it is essential to
include in any definition those organizations and individuals in the higher
education community who are engaged in relevant instructional activities.
Individual
comments from respondents who chose DEF 4 (direct quotes, as is):
o
A
critical component of the industry involves the design, construction, testing
and optimization of both hardware and software tools required to support these
activities. Because of the diverse nature of the industry, it is essential to
include in any definition those organizations and individuals in the higher
education community who are engaged in relevant instructional activities.
o
Changes
should include the term "geographic knowledge" since the core of the
technology is the geographic representation and analysis of physical and
cultural phenomenon, and along with the analysis of the interactions between
the two.
o
In
the sentence on "critical components" -- I would add the development
and testing of methods -- as well as the HW and SW. I would add something to
the first line so that it was about more than just "data", but about
"geographic knowledge".
o
Not
necessary to identify higher education as a component of the definition. Would
include the concept of ""science and technology"" as part
of the definition. Merge concepts of #3 and #4 into 1 definition.
o
The
definition also needs to address the need for education and training of casual
users, general public and the need to work geospatial education into the
Primary and Secondary Education System.
o
This
is such a synthetic question that has no relevance to the industry. The last seems the most appropriate, but a
bit too inclusive of IT, EE, Infoscience, etc. I would JUST use the first sentence.
o
The
geospatial industry engages, at a variety of spatial scales, in the
acquisition, integration, analysis, visualization, management and distribution
of information having a spatial and/or temporal context. Critical components of the industry include
the design, construction, testing, and implementation of processes, hardware,
and software to support these activities as well as related educational and
research activities.
o
I
would include the practical application and educational needs of GIS, not just
the hardware and software and higher educational bundled applications, ie. how business uses GIS on a
daily basis and how critical data management and accuracy is.
While more individuals seem
to have selected Definition 1 than any of the others, the comments reveal that many
more would like to see a combination of several of the definitions. In particular, many respondents suggested a
combination of Definitions 1 and 2 might be appropriate.
Suggestions for
improving Definition 1 (Question 4):
I. No Changes
·
Twelve of the 27
respondents noted no changes to Definition 1 required.
II.
Add Elements of Definition 2
·
Five of the 27
respondents suggested adding the list of technologies from Definition 2 to
Definition 1. For example, “Geospatial technologies, include a wide array of technologies, such as
GIS software, global positioning systems (GPS), location-based services (LBS),
mobile GIS, remote sensing, and Web GIS.”
III. Add Elements of Definition 3
·
One of the 27
respondents suggested adding the utilization of GIS for real-world problems
from Definition 3 to Definition 1.
IV.
Add Elements of Definition 4
·
One of the 27
respondents suggested adding the role of academia from Definition 4 to
Definition 1.
V. Add Other
Ideas
·
Two of the 27
respondents claimed that the definition also needs to capture the growing
importance of enterprise integration and workflow.
·
Three of the 27
respondents mentioned the importance of software development.
·
Four of the 27
respondents noted the significance of dissemination (or distribution) of data
also. This dissemination varies for
groups with different needs.
·
In addition to
distribution of data, the definition should also include archiving and storage
of data.
·
Two of the 27 respondents
highlighted the importance of business performance along with the science of
the geospatial industry.
VI.
Comments about GIS
VII. Other General Comments
Suggestions for
improving Definition 2 (Question 4):
I. No Changes
II.
Add Elements of Definition 1
III. Add Other Ideas
IV.
Other General Comments
Suggestions for
improving Definition 3 (Question 4):
I. No Changes
II.
Add Elements of Definition 1
III. Add Elements of Definition 2
IV.
Add Elements of Definition 4
IV.
Add Other Ideas
V. Comments
about GIS
VI.
Other General Comments
VII. Alternate Form of Definition 3
Suggestions for
improving Definition 4 (Question 4):
I. No Changes
II.
Add Elements of Definition 3
III. Add Other Ideas
IV.
Other General Comments