The Future of GIS (and how to make it real)

Summary

The speaker from ESRI discusses the current state of GIS technology and its impact across industries, highlighting innovative applications in supply chain management, banking, retail, and urban planning. Companies like Driscoll's and Regions Bank leverage GIS for enhanced decision-making and operational efficiency. The talk emphasizes the importance of a strategic approach, involving key roles, a mindset focused on business outcomes, and a clear location strategy for successful GIS implementation.

Takeaways

• 🌐 **GIS Technology in Action**: ESRI supports users across industries with GIS technology to solve business problems.
• 🍓 **Innovation in Supply Chain**: Companies like Driscoll's use GIS to manage their supply chain, ensuring berry freshness from farm to table.
• 🚚 **Real-time Decision Making**: GIS enables rapid decision-making and awareness, crucial for minimizing supply chain disruptions that can cost millions.
• 🏦 **Banking and Investment Innovation**: Banks like Regions Bank use GIS for business insights across various lines, enhancing customer satisfaction.
• 🏢 **Convenience Store Expansion**: WAHWAH uses GIS to coordinate business expansion, ensuring all parts of the company work in unison.
• 📊 **Big Data Analytics**: Guy Carpenter leverages GIS for big data analytics, simplifying complex information for everyday analysts.
• 🏙️ **Urban Growth and 3D Analytics**: San Francisco uses GIS for urban planning, combining 3D visuals with analytics for better infrastructure and land use decisions.
• 🏢 **Indoor GIS and IoT**: Innovations in indoor GIS and IoT are transforming smart city development and management.
• 👨‍💼 **Productivity through Simple Apps**: Everyday workplace productivity is enhanced through simple GIS applications, like finding the quickest route or reporting issues.
• 🌍 **Global Coordination**: GIS is critical for global operations, as seen with the Geneva International Centre for humanitarian demining, coordinating mine removal efforts worldwide.
• 📈 **Making GIS Real**: Success with GIS involves setting the right conditions, having the right people and mindset, and following a strategic implementation plan.

Q & A

What is the role of the speaker in ESRI?

The speaker is part of the organization of ESRI, supporting users by helping understand how ESRI technology can solve business problems.

What does ESRI stand for?

ESRI stands for Environmental Systems Research Institute, which is a company that specializes in geographic information system (GIS) software, data, and services.

What is the significance of the term 'spatial transformers' mentioned in the script?

The term 'spatial transformers' refers to innovators who are using GIS technology to bring about change and innovation across various industries and markets.

How does Driscoll's use GIS technology in their supply chain?

Driscoll's applies GIS technology to track every part of their supply chain, from measuring field plots and tracking where berries are picked to tracking trucks to cooling and distribution centers, ensuring farm-to-table berry freshness.

What is the importance of supply chain management in the context of the script?

Supply chain management is crucial as it helps in understanding the origin of products, optimizing delivery times, and ensuring product quality, which can significantly impact costs and customer satisfaction.

How does Regions Bank utilize GIS technology?

Regions Bank uses GIS technology to provide business value at scale across various lines of business, including catastrophic events, mortgage lending, retail distribution, and executive views.

What is the significance of the term 'IT/GIS platform' in the context of the script?

The term 'IT/GIS platform' refers to a centralized technology system that supports multiple business applications and processes, enabling efficient data management and decision-making.

What is the role of analytics in the innovation discussed in the script?

Analytics plays a significant role in innovation by allowing organizations to process large amounts of data into actionable insights, which aids in decision-making and operational efficiency.

How does the city of San Francisco use GIS in urban growth?

The city of San Francisco uses GIS in combination with 3D analytics and compelling visuals to understand transportation corridors, growth, and investment, helping in infrastructure development and land use zoning changes.

What is the importance of indoor GIS and IoT mentioned in the script?

Indoor GIS and IoT are important as they enable the management and optimization of built environments, such as airports and smart city developments, enhancing operational efficiency and user experience.

What are the key steps to implementing GIS technology in a business according to the script?

The key steps include having a location strategy, planning and assessment, establishing an initial operating capability, expanding on initial success, and regularly revisiting the strategy to ensure alignment with long-term goals.