Singapore: With Soh Kheng Peng, Chief Surveyor, Singapore Land Authority, leading the session as the chairperson, the first plenary on the opening day of Map Asia talked on how technological innovations and demand for accurate and timely availability of data are leading to the creation of new business models.

Opening the plenary, Ed Parsons, Geospatial Technologist, Google, talked on the ‘Evolution of the GeoWeb’. Detailing the concept of GeoWeb, Ed said that in today’s world of new industrial age, it is all about making useful information available to the users. Google enables this mission through Google Maps, Google Earth and Google Maps for Mobile. Many technological innovations at Google are aimed at making information accessible by building universal infrastructures, to avoid licensing and make information available freely.

One of the key of Google’s success, according to Ed, is building a mash-up architecture which facilitated a number of applications. He said the key to many Web 2.0 applications is the evolutionary approach they have taken. Development occurs through small iterative steps and by recognising the fact that there are specific environments and many competing strategies/projects for success, he opined. To substantiate this, he cited that Google Maps has so far had 600 iterations to reach the stage it is today.

Taking the Google Maps’ case, Ed then enumerated on the DNA of GeoWeb, building a better map being the first step. He said Google Maps started with just USA and UK on it. It then built on using innovative means like citizen cartography. Openstreetmap developed in UK demonstrated that organisations and individuals can contribute effectively to build very detail maps. Several such initiatives like building the base map and updating points of interest led to the building of a collaborative map of the world.

Web standards have also facilitated goelocation and made many applications location aware. The best part of GeoWeb is that these platforms hide the complexity of technology and are independent of the network used. He opined that the next level is putting geo into the cloud. Through this, the responsibility of managing large datasets is moved to someone else in the cloud. He concluded saying that taking small steps, trying out new things, testing them on the user and analysing what works and what doesn’t – that’s the prescription for the success of GeoWeb.

Bryn Fosburgh, Vice-President, Trimble, discussed the plethora of industry applications facilitated by Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS). He detailed a time plan for new satellite signals with new GNSS systems like Galileo, Compass, QZSS, GPS L5 that are expected to be launched shortly.

Just as fundamental infrastructure is a network that facilitates transportation, communication and is a way of life to community, GNSS infrastructure is a framework that enables location, measurement and monitoring. The confluence of three major technology groupings - positioning, GNSS and communications – creates this infrastructure framework, he said.

Bryn then went on to explain the components of GNSS infrastructure which include the documentation, hardware, software, communications, and ultimately the people. He said GNSS has given rise to a myriad of new applications and created many business models. These applications include areas of safety, aviation, asset/crew management, cadastral surveying, agriculture, hydrographic surveying, machine control, road and rail construction and many marine applications. He then gave several examples where GNSS have been effectively used to increase efficiency.

Briefing on the Trends in Satellite Remote Sensing and Applications, Kwah Leong Keong – Director – CRISP, National University of Singapore, listed out various high and medium resolution optical satellite series available in the world today and the resolutions available through LandSat, Indian and Chinese remote sensing satellites. Kwah said most of the satellites are owned by the governments. These satellites acquire lot of data but most of it remains inaccessible for mass users. He said the both the cost of satellites and the imagery are coming down and mini satellites are being launched giving affordable access to the space. The trend is also moving from government satellites to privately owned/operated satellites, he opined.

Creating New Business Models: Much More for Much Less Paradigm was the topic dwelt by Kailash Agarwal of NIIT-GIS, India, who represented Dr Mukund Rao, President NIIT-GIS. Kailash detailed the changing landscape of GIS. There was a time when GIS remained product based, largely used by scientists and where GIS remained in the backend. Today, GIS is both product and solution based, is coming into the front-end and is not just limited to researchers alone. He then discussed emerging GIS implementation patterns, starting from desktop to server based to federated systems. He then gave examples of enterprise level applications done by NIIT GIS. He concluded by discussing the growth drivers, innovations possible using GIS and the challenges faced by the industry. The session ended with an interactive question and answer round.

Source : By our special correspondent