[OI5-5] The geospatial industry

The geospatial industry consists of companies working with location specific information or services. Within the geospatial sector, several areas of activities can be identified: 1) measuring, collecting and storing of data about geo-objects; 2) processing, editing, modelling, analyzing and managing that data; 3) presenting, producing and distributing the data; and 4) advising, educating, researching and communicating about processes and use of geo-information products and services. The sector consists of both small-and-medium-sized enterprises but also big companies, including surveyors, census hard-copy map providers, aerial photos providers, base map data providers, satellite and remote sensing imagery providers, software developers (GIS-related products and services providers as well as satellite image programming platform providers) and several others.

External resources

• Cipriano, P., Easton, C., Roglia, E., & Vancauwenberghe, G. (2013). Study on the Geo-ICT sector in Europe.

Learning outcomes

• 907 - Assess the involvement of non-GIS companies (e.g., Microsoft, Google) in the geospatial industry
  Assess the involvement of non-GIS companies (e.g., Microsoft, Google) in the geospatial industry
• 908 - Describe the U.S. geospatial industry including vendors, software, hardware and data
  Describe the U.S. geospatial industry including vendors, software, hardware and data
• 909 - Describe three applications of geospatial technology for different workforce domains (e.g., first responders, forestry, water resource management, facilities management)
  Describe three applications of geospatial technology for different workforce domains (e.g., first responders, forestry, water resource management, facilities management)
• 910 - Explain why software products sold by U.S. companies may predominate in foreign markets, including Europe and Australia
  Explain why software products sold by U.S. companies may predominate in foreign markets, including Europe and Australia

Self assessment

Outgoing relations

• [OI5-5] The geospatial industry subclassof [OI5] Organizations in the GIS and T domain