The Science of Where
I have written many posts over the last few years all of which focus on the business value of knowing ‘where’ things are. There is little doubt at this stage that by better understanding the influence and impact of geography, then better business decisions can, and will, be made. This is happening here in Ireland on a daily basis, as well as all around the world.
As specialists, in location based data analytics (https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/making-sense-data-why-knowing-where-matters-paul-synnott?trk=mp-reader-card); as people, who understand how to create location-aware business processes & workflows (https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/geography-new-business-platform-paul-synnott?trk=mp-reader-card); as professionals, who know how to integrate geographic information within business systems & solutions (https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/opening-up-paul-synnott?trk=mp-reader-card); and as experts, who know how to develop and deploy spatially-aware apps (https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/theres-app-paul-synnott?trk=mp-reader-card); we know that the craft associated with 'knowing where things are' is far more complex, than it is simple.
Yes, putting pins on a map, based on where something is located, is a very simple thing to do. But seamlessly embedding location based information into your business processes, in a way that will consistently deliver better, more informed, decision making, is not a simple matter of just 'knowing' where things are.
As Geographic Information Systems (GIS) experts, we deliver a common visual language that combines mapping and advanced analytics to connect real-time data to the organisations and people who need it most. In this context, I have had many people talk to me over the years about GIS being a ‘fine’ art, a ‘black’ art, even a ‘dark’ art.
However, if we stand back and think about all of the things we can do, by knowing ‘where’; if we think of all of ICT disciplines we touch, as ‘where’ weaves its way through business critical systems and processes; and if we think of all the industries and sectors we service by having a better understanding of the influence of ‘where’; then the likely conclusion you will come to is that GIS is not an art at all. GIS is a science, the science of ‘where’, if you will.
We practice The Science of Where by mapping the ocean floor; by making organisations smarter; by making communities safer; by making our environment cleaner; by making transportation systems smoother; by implementing retail location strategies; and by building strong, resilient economies. The Science of Where is the science of digital transformation; the science of exploration and navigation; the science of commerce and ecology. It's the science of insight and innovation.
The Science of Where is what inspires us to do what we do.
If you can spare a further 1:30s then I would encourage you to take a look at the following video:
Geospatial Disastertech | Insurtech | Climatetech | GeoAI | Leadership | Chairperson for Geography 2050
8 年Looks familar https://www.ford.com.au/content/ford/au/en_au/home/commercial/ranger/science-of-truck/_jcr_content/par/image/image.imgs.full.high.jpeg/1478490053321.jpeg
Working at the convergence of Geospatial, AII, spatial computing and blockchain ~ Unlocking geospatial's potential at Versar
8 年A well written article Paul. You may have seen my thoughts on Esri's smart move to focus on the where: https://webmapsolutions.com/amazing-esri-announcement/. But let's not let marketing talk get in the way of reality. By definition a science is "An organized body of knowledge on a particular subject". GIS is not a science. It never will be. Its a tool used by a science - the science of geography for example - to help answer questions.
|MSc(Nav Tech)-FRIN-Lt NS(Ret'd)||GNSS/Geospatial Innovator||Founder/CEO||Geospatial Forensics||Data Analytics||Navigation Expert (incl Emergency Response)||Ex Navy||NB- Location Intelligence ≠ Navigation Intelligence|
8 年Nice piece Paul. I especially like the emphasis that "where" is not just about abstract location data and geographic databases but also about the science of navigating the real world. A science which has been practiced for 1000's of years and which, like latitude & longitude, is not just the recent product of GPS technologies. I started learning navigation as a science with the Royal Navy in 1980. The principals I learned then and have practiced, enhanced and evolved over the 37 years since are just as relevant today. However, we must work hard to make those who deliver related systems fully aware that Navigation is a science and no just a pointer on a map on a smartphone. Equally location is a key part of navigation and not simply data in geographic databases.