Location, Location, Location: The State of Geospatial Technology

摘要

Geospatial technology has incorporated itself into almost every aspect of daily life. Whether one is looking for directions to the new pizza shop in town or planning a vast communications network, geospatial technology, in some form, is the tool one uses. A familiar use of geospatial information, in the form of a geographic information systems (GIS), allows the fusion of digital maps with links to data about areas on the map. But geospatial technology is about more than mere mapping. Geospatial information and technology is applicable to a wide variety of applications, and the electric utility industry is at the forefront when it comes to taking advantage of those applications. "Electric utilities' use of geospatial is more advanced than probably every other sector," said Bob Samborski, executive director of the Geospatial Information & Technology Association (GITA), a nonprofit educational association serving the global geospatial community. "Most of the innovation in the utility industry and geospatial technology has come out of electric companies."