Geographic Information Systems

The Geographic Information Systems Market Research Study delivers current market analysis plus a five year market and technology forecast.  The report also takes a closer look at upcoming market and technology trends and automation systems related to GIS. The study is available in multiple editions including worldwide, all regions, and most major countries.

Geographic Information Systems Is Moving into Cloud and Mobile Platforms

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are an organized collection of computer hardware, software, geographic data, and personnel designed to efficiently capture, store, update, manipulate, analyze, and display all forms of geographically referenced information.  GIS operates on data primarily bearing a relationship to space, which is inclusive of any data about things and events that occur in nature.

Most of the leading geographic information systems vendors have developed cloud GIS solutions, and it is imperative for those who have not moved to the cloud, do to so.  The GIS user community is well aware of the advantages of cloud computing, and there are numerous options–public vs. private clouds, for example, from which users can choose according to their unique requirements.  And when dealing with the local government sector, where cost is a major factor, cloud implementation can look very attractive because it reduces the need for an IT infrastructure to support geographic information systems implementation.  

In addition, proliferation of mobile devices is impacting every industry and application, and geographic information systems are no different.  Advances in mobile computing and GIS technology are enabling organizations to take GIS to the field, and they interact directly with the information needed to view, capture, update, and synchronize changes between the field and office.  The need to access geospatial data anywhere at any time is here and growing.  

With mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets, users are putting GIS mapping in the hands of the field workforce and replacing paper forms with electronic devices.  The field workforce can use maps to add validity to data, record observations, and respond to events.  This can improve the efficiency of the field workforce and the accuracy of GIS.  

Geographic Information Systems Strategic Issues and Market Trends

In addition to providing a five-year market forecast, the GIS Market Research Report provides detailed quantitative current market data and addresses key strategic issues as follows.

Strategic Issue for GIS Vendors: Security Concerns over the Use of New Technologies

Security, especially cybersecurity, is a never-ending issue these days, and GIS is no exception as the GIS environment expands with cloud computing, mobile devices, and Big Data.  This concern about security is only heightened when GIS is addressing national defense and other military applications, along with infrastructure projects at the local, state, and national level, where cyberattacks can have potentially devastating consequences.

Strategic Issue for Users: Need for Interoperability

Need for interoperability between industry ecosystems–there is a strong need for standards like open geospatial consortium (WEB map service) and web feature services.  For GIS to support a digitized automated workflow, real-time data needs to be transferred between field sensors and office solutions without any information loss, and this has increased the need for interoperability.