Full

摘要

This is a very full issue of GIM International. During the summer we have been preparing lots of content to fill this bumper-packed issue and we are happy to finally reveal it to you! Much of the content revolves around the biggest tradeshow of the year - Intergeo -taking place in Stuttgart, Germany, from 15-17 September. This edition contains a preview in which more than 120 exhibitors at this year's Intergeo share details with you of what they are presenting at the show. It's an excellent way to prepare for your visit to the show, but even if you are unable to travel to Stuttgart it makes for an interesting read and brings you up to date at the same time. We've also prepared a Product Guide to Intergeo on Geo-matching. com, highlighting the products that will be on display in Stuttgart. In addition to checking out those products on Geo-matching.com, you can see, touch and discuss them at the show. But besides Intergeo, there's lots more happening in this issue. You can find updates on the UN Initiative on Global Geospatial Information Management together with Five Questions to Vanessa Lawrence who is stepping down as co-chair of UN-GGIM. Dr Lawrence has played a truly tremendous role in getting the UN-GGIM up to speed, and professionals in the geomatics world and beyond should be grateful for the ambassadorial role she has played - and will no doubt continue to play in her future roles. The Fifth Session of the Committee of Experts of UN-GGIM has further established the initiative, and the UN-GGIM looks likely to become a permanent body of the UN next year. Geoinformation is now widely recognised as driver of economic growth and social development and moreover as being critical to the successful implementation of the newly identified and agreed sustainable development goals. Many of the professionals at Intergeo and other events are not concerning themselves with the meetings, decisions and deliberations at the UN. Nevertheless, it is good that delegates of Member States of the UN -often with strong links to mapping agencies and cadastral organisations - are creating a strong foundation for a long-lasting place for geoinformation. To bring you news from the industry this month, we have included an interview with Ray O'Connor, CEO of Topcon Positioning Systems (see page 18), by Monique Verduyn, contributing editor. O'Connor shares his views on the ongoing transformation of the geospatial industry and the growth strategy that he has helped to shape for the 82-year-old company. He stresses that the future for the surveyors is bright, although their role is changing into one of consultant rather than data gatherer. Topcon's CEO calls for new, qualified and above all enthusiastic people to enter the industry to get the most out of the exciting times ahead. And there's much more in this edition: feature articles on indoor mapping, point cloud processing, a new geodetic datum for Oman, etc., etc. As I mentioned at the start, this is a very full issue of GIM International with too much to mention here, but I am sure you will find it a worthwhile read. By the way, if you are going to Intergeo, the GIM International and Geo-matching.com team will be out in force in Stuttgart. Please stop by our stand (F8.059) or send us an email to make an appointment beforehand.