Jim Skog
Hewlett-Packard Company, GIS Industry Marketing Manager, 3404 E. Harmony Road MS-41, Fort Collins, COLORADO 80528 USA, (+01 970) 898-6220 jim_skog@hp.com

Abstract

This paper will look at many different technologies impacting the use of spatial data and how GIS systems are evolving into organisation-wide resources. The changes taking place in this segment of the market are impacting many problem areas and, ultimately, organizational competitiveness. Future uses of spatial data, GPS technology, browsers, and remote sensing are considered, including visions of how it will impact our work, our play, and our world.

INTRODUCTION

This paper shares ideas about how new technologies are impacting the usage of spatial data. It focuses on communications, software, hardware, standards, data availability, applications, and future spatial browsing. Expected future technologies and uses are from my own observations and not necessarily the views of Hewlett-Packard. This presentation is intended to fire the imagination about ways spatial information is transforming our work world, and impacting our personal lives.

GIS APPLICATION

Communications on planet Earth have never been so prolific. Data today can be collected and cross- referenced using computers from a wide variety of communications sources. The cost of acquiring or sharing this data has never been lower. Land-based and wireless phone connections are at an all time low cost and being pressured lower, making immediate communication cost effective. Computer networks have made sharing data across computers second nature. E-mail is so prolific it is a problem. The spreading use of the Internet is changing our planet in many ways. Although existing for over twenty years, lower cost computers and higher speed modem and networking gateways have put this functionality within reach of a hundred million people. With the hype and accessibility phenomenon, the Internet has fundamentally changed the world, putting an Internet homepage within the reach of almost every organization. A website opens access to a worldwide audience, such that finding exactly the information you want is increasingly a challenge.
Spatial information on the Internet is changing the way the GIS community thinks about data. We understand how to get map-based information into and out of a computer and we know how to extract data in relationship to other data which speeds comprehension and can add new insight. As this functionality becomes available and accessible to others the demand is growing. Humans are a species with a strong preference to process information visually. Many organizations are beginning to provide map-based information on the internet.

Spatial software continues to quickly gain sophistication and new functionality. Database software makes it possible to store, edit, and retrieve Gigabytes of data. GIS software makes it possible to browse and view datasets from many sources in various formats. Esri and others have begun to practically give away GIS browsers to create demand for more GIS data. Recent releases, such as Esri’s Spatial Analyst, have added 3-D graphics making it easier to visualize and even fly-through terrain. All major GIS software today makes it easy to serve datasets to the web, and some allow easy custom queries to display exact information. Spatial software is solving real problems across a range of operating systems and hardware from supercomputers, to desktops, to laptops, to handheld palmtop devices, pushing usage into a multitude of exciting new areas.
Spatial Data is increasingly being stored in database formats making access more like an On-Line Transaction Processing (OLTP) application. As the uses for spatial data expand, the need for knowledge workers to query for this data grow accordingly. This pressures Information Technology (IT) departments to provide more servers and storage solutions to their users. And it causes users and their organizations to pressure GIS software companies and spatial data providers for more standardization. A number of standards organizations struggle with this, including ISO, OpenGIS and GYPSIE, NIMA and others. These organizations are working with leading software and hardware companies to identify and publish formats for interoperability, a great benefit to users.
Computer hardware has progressed at an extraordinary pace. Moore’s law about computer processors ‘doubling every 18 months has been amazingly accurate. In the server environment this has lead to incredible functionality gains and a re-definition of Information Technology (IT). The evolution from mainframes and terminals, through a minicomputer phase, to networked PCs, and onward to large networked servers continues. It is not uncommon today to have hundreds of servers in an organization serving thousands of users, managed in a few data centers, by a few system administrators. Three-tier architectures predominate in larger organizations with enterprise servers, departmental servers and individual desktop system. The high availability of the systems and networks, with downtime measured in minutes per year, is amazing considering the complexities. The data storage facilities have improved just as dramatically, with 18 gigabyte disks shipping today and RAID arrays capable of improving performance and masking any disk failures. Backup and near-line storage like jukebox devices make it possible to keep additional gigabytes of data accessible without human intervention.
Many companies are now concentrating their corporate databases into data warehouses in fewer data centers. Hewlett-Packard, for example, consolidated over one hundred IT sites into five regional data centers in North America where each system administrator takes care of about a hundred servers. The cost effectiveness of server technologies, newer administrative tools, more powerful client desktops, and sophisticated new application software is making this truly an age of information.
Desktop ‘clients’ have evolved from traditional terminals to Personal Computers (PCs) emulating terminals, into a wide range of devices. Mobile solutions exist from handheld "Palmtops", to laptops featuring the latest in processor technology and multi-gigabyte disk drives. UNIX and PC workstations offer users as much power as the supercomputer of a few years ago. Software adhering to OpenGL standards make it possible to run a wide variety of advanced 3-D graphics, even real-time interaction. This makes it possible for a wide range of users to become more valuable ‘knowledge workers’ adding to the productivity of an organization.
The amount of spatial data being generated in the world today is staggering, especially satellites sending almost continuous data. As more commercial satellites are being planned with greater resolutions the gigabytes-per-day information flow is approaching terrabytes-per-day. Databases of imagery are being repackaged and sold to leverage the original investments. Government organizations are publishing and selling their ‘public’ data, some are selling it via companies who repackage it for consumption, some are putting it on the internet. The growing number of data providers are competing on price as well as content, making data far less expensive than just a few years ago. As the cost of data comes down, the usage goes up, especially when the hardware and software price/performance trend is so compelling.
Remote sensing applies to data collection instrumentation as well as satellites. Busy airports use noise sensing devices which help determine meeting noise ordinances. Measuring and even controlling real-time decisions on networks of electricity, water, gas, refineries, etc. is spatial data generated by remote sensing-type devices. Traffic measurements, pollution monitoring, weather and ocean currents, and other issues are being met with new information appliances. These are examples of spatial data that are undergoing tremendous growth as the ‘possible applications’ list explodes.
Once a GIS is in usage by an organization, an obvious benefit is to look at helping other parts of the organization to leverage the resource. For a community this could mean getting a functioning system for cadastral records, assessments or utilities in place and then adding layers for emergency services, comprehensive planning, etc. Regional governments might share roadway infrastructure to local governments for alternative transportation projects like rail, bus, bikelanes, and walkways. Most utilities in the developed world today have a GIS that is useful in running their infrastructure.Many are beginning to use a GIS as a proactive planning tool rather than just reacting to problems and outages. Linking outage management to customer care and mobile dispatch is another big trend as competition amongst utilities is forcing a new attitude about serving customers.

New GIS applications for logistics and routing are impacting distribution operations and even sales and support people who travel. Hewlett-Packard uses a GIS to identify where customer systems are physically located, including a map when they need a customer service engineer to actually go on-site. Such effeciencies are impacting all forms of distribution and service, and spreading into all forms of mobile workers. Paccar uses GPS in their trucks to track engine performance and driver safety. Allstate uses a GIS routing package to schedule their insurance claims adjusters workday. The Hertz rental car "Neverlost system" benefits travelers and boosts productivity as much as their carphones. This application area is very young and will grow tremendously as information appliances grow.
Spatially enabling modules of ERP or Supply Chain applications is another happening trend. Moving beyond AM/FM (Asset Mapping Facilities Management) organizations apply spatial information to Human Resources, Finance, and Logistics. Seeing where raw materials are produced, where they are assembled, where they are inventoried, and where the customers take delivery has benefited many organizations looking for efficiencies. Databases that tell you where parts and suppliers are add much more value than simple inventory numbers.

Geodemographic information is the latest twist on understanding populations. Demographic information about people has been a by-product surveys such as the US Census for decades. Adding the spatial component of "where" these people live down to the neighborhood level has improved several aspects of population analysis. This raises a large issue about personal privacy, but is a breakthrough for marketing analysis. Hewlett-Packard uses a GIS tool for tracking customers and identifying potential customers, part of a major trend in using geodemographics for marketing and customer analysis.
When you think of Location, real estate is another large opportunity. Being able to determine that a house is next to a freeway, railroad line, school, fire station, prison, etc. can save many miles of driving to look at possible properties. Or maybe you need to be close to certain resources or features like transportation, parks, lakes, or hospitals. Leading communities have spatial information on their websites to attract industry, conventions, tourists, or retirees. It gives their citizens access to the latest information, promotes services, and gives their community a sense of progressiveness.

CONCLUSION

The future of spatial information will be heavily influenced these and other trends. Speech recognition and speech synthesis will change the user interface for many and make possible usage from vehicles and other environments. GPS technology will become available in chipsets, imbedded into even low-cost devices creating true spatial information appliances. Satellites and wireless voice and data services will make the entire world accessible. Telephony, ISPs, television, and other services will have overlapping boundaries and functionality. Multi-Billion dollar businesses will undergo transformations in the decade ahead, even faster than today. The printed Yellow Pages or Telephone Books of today’s advertising will give way to the Microsofts, Yahoos, and Excites of tomorrow. In the brave new millennium we will be travelling and ask our computerized assistant to check the spatial browser for a nearby Italian restaurant. Knowing where you are and checking for listings will provide you with those businesses who have spent money to be on the internet and listed first with specific search engine / service providers. The display tells you how to reach the desired destination. Spatial technology will become ubiquitous in the future. Like the dial tone when you pick up a telephone, you won’t need to know about the millions of lines of code behind the action. The value of spatial data has been recognized and will become imbedded in so many new applications in the future that it will no longer be distinguished.