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Consumer-driven changes in the GIS market
M.K. Munshi
Rolta India Limited, Rolta Bhavan,
Andheri, Mumbai 400093
Tel: 91-022-8327708, Fax: 91-022-8365992
Email: munshi@rolta.com
Abstract:
This paper addresses the changes in the roles of the Doers, Users and Viewers brought about by a domination of the GIS market by "consumers", whose expectations from the technology have increased, driven by the role of Internet as the most powerful medium for data dissemination. The various issues involved in terms of primary data acquisition, data integration, key applications, customization and role of Internet have been discussed.
Introduction
The GIS community can be broadly divided into three categories - Doers, Users and Viewers. This paper looks at the issues involved in terms of the technology, data and applications concerning these three groups within the GIS community. The topics covered include issues pertaining to the requirements of primary data acquisition, data integration, key applications, customization and role of Internet. A broad outlook on the implications of these issues vis-à-vis the role of the Doers, Users and Viewers in the country is addressed.
Doers are involved in data creation. This includes national mapping agencies like Survey of India (SOI), Geological Survey of India, National Bureau of Soil Survey &Landuse Planning, Forest Survey of India, and so forth. It also includes agencies involved in providing satellite data, bulk and custom processed, like the NRSA, Space Imaging, Earth Watch and so forth.
Users make use of the GIS data from different sources through data integration, value-addition and data analysis.
Viewers are the consumers or decision makers who need access to information for planning / management.
Primary Data
The key requirement in any GIS application is primary data. The type and scale of data are functions of the application. Thus, while 1:50,000 scale SOI maps may be sufficient to build up a Forestry database, larger scale maps would be required for micro-watershed management. Some of the key areas of GIS applications are listed below.
- Forestry
- Pollution Control
- Police / Security agencies
- Utilities
- Urban Planning
- Water resources
- Business GIS
- Defence
The applications related to Defence form a major topic in itself and are not addressed in this paper.
The main problems related to primary data in India are as follows.
- Non-availability of digital data from SOI
- Legal implications of SOI map digitization
- Non-availability of maps on scales larger than 1:25,000 on a systematic basis
The other sources of primary data are aerial photographs and high-resolution satellite images. The restrictions in data availability also apply to aerial photographs. While IRS-1C and 1D data with 5.8 m resolution supports primary data requirements of medium-scale applications, large-scale data collection still remains unaddressed. The data from IKONOS with 1 m resolution holds potential for the future. The availability of data from Cartosat by the year end will also be a crucial aspect with regard to large-scale mapping.
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