Future GIS Trends for leadership
By : Abdel-Hadi Hor, Principal Geospatial Architect

In the last few years, Enterprise GIS is evolving at an astounding rate, this would require GIS architecture and leadership teams to future-proof their operations to not to get stuck with only GIS technology. I loved the Five GIS Trends Changing the World according by Jack Dangermond in this article http://bit.ly/2WTi6dy, however I wanted to add that GIS leaderships should also learn to mitigate against changes like :

  1.        Cloud technologies products and services given that the convergence of GIS technology with cloud computing has had a profound impact on the ability of GIS professionals to leverage spatial applications and information such as Open-data platforms, and spatial data integration with cloud-based technologies and platforms like SharePoint, Salesforce….
  2.         Loose-coupling integrating with other IT systems though message-oriented middle-ware, and interoperability standards…
  3.         Service Orientated Architectures (SOA) to expand benefits by allowing more streamlined communications between GIS and other IT systems by engaging operational groups from the outset in defining and exposing GIS services, and communicating results that could greatly improve long-term success.
  4. ·        Configure and extend COTS and avoid developing GIS custom products by selecting solutions that best meets business goals and could be implemented rapidly with gain of best results.
  5.         Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) : cost of implementing and maintaining spatial data infrastructures on-perms as well as on cloud platforms or combined.
  6. ·       Big data /Artificial intelligence (AI) by using GIS tools and workflows to filter and convert Big data into geographic layers of information and relationships that can be analyzed to create new, more useful maps/apps and services for better decision making.
  7.         DevOps for Enterprise GIS leading to less administrative overhead, improved security and higher developer productivity.
  8.         Migration to new versions of GIS software on a frequent basis.

Your thoughts ?