Modern Technology Expands GIS Market
Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) manage information through the use of a common coordinate system that references objects contained within the GIS system to their real-world locations on the surface of the earth. GIS provides the ability to create a scaled representation of the real world, allowing the user to integrate, analyze, and visually represent real-world objects and the relationship between these objects.
The GIS market is growing due to a number of macroeconomic, industry, and technological factors. Governments and utilities are investing in GIS to improve business processes, increase security, and comply with government mandates. Advances in technology, such as mobile solutions, web services, and cloud computing are expanding the market footprint of GIS solutions. Mobile GIS is improving utility network design and asset data quality by enabling workers to add data while on site. The software-as-a-service (SaaS) business model has allowed geospatial business analysis solutions to become highly affordable and widely accessible. Meanwhile, the improvements in connectivity provided by cloud computing have also brought about an influx of GIS products that integrate imaging and GIS data with time-based information such as traffic reports to create mash-ups. The continuing adoption of mobile GIS, the SaaS delivery model, and other forms of cloud computing have great potential to transform and expand segments of the GIS market in the near future.
Strategic Issues
Capital spending on information technology has rebounded vigorously after the economic downturn. The GIS market has taken part in this technology rebound and is expected to experience vibrant growth. Numerous technology, macroeconomic, vertical industry-specific, and regional factors will drive market growth from 2010 through 2015. This study will help to answer questions such as:
- What are the expected growth levels by end user industry and when will this growth occur?
- What are the factors driving growth in the GIS market and what segments will benefit from these factors?
- Who are the leading GIS suppliers in the various regions and industries?
- What regions are expected to experience the greatest growth and what factors will drive that growth?
