The Ongoing Advancement of Spatial Technologies

Advancements in technology have once again increased the awareness of geospatial technologies in everyday lives. Widespread access to information networks from smart devices to desktop computers has brought the efforts of GIS practitioners into the lives of millions across the globe.

Tools exist today that allow rapid visualization of the earth's surface and the man-made and natural features that ride above, on and under it. In addition to the ability to map geographic features, the advancement of GIS has allowed different types of potentially unrelated data to become integrated by the common characteristic of location. Such integration results in the ability to communicate and share ideas using a common platform for all to see. Using spatial analysis for collaboration with different stakeholders can lead to increased geographic knowledge, which in turn can lead to better decision making.

As Geographic Information Systems continue to enjoy the sunshine period that has surrounded the technology from day one, new ways to use the tools continue to emerge. Homeland Security, Emergency Management and Public Healthcare - to name just a few - have seen tremendous growth and adoption of this amazing technology over the past few years.