Discussion on modern GIS, including the importance of open interoperable standards and cloud-based technology, the journey from geography to VP of Solutions Engineering, the entrepreneurial mindset, overcoming overwhelm in the GIS industry, trends in the geospatial world, and advocating for a modern approach to GIS.
Modern GIS utilizes open, interoperable, and standards-based technology to drive insights from geospatial data.
Specialized career paths in the geospatial industry include roles like geospatial data scientists, engineers, developers, and architects.
Open source technology plays a vital role in modern GIS, fostering scalability, flexibility, and collaboration.
Deep dives
Defining Modern GIS
Modern GIS is the process, systems, and technology used to drive insights from geospatial data. It utilizes open, interoperable, and standards-based technology that can be run locally or in the cloud, and is scalable to handle different types, velocities, and scales of data. The flexibility of modern GIS allows for various outputs, including maps, dashboards, APIs, applications, machine learning models, and more. The key is to focus on solving problems and delivering value using geospatial data, and the tools and techniques can vary based on individual needs and preferences.
Learning Path and Career Opportunities
Navigating the geospatial industry can be overwhelming, but there are opportunities for specialized career paths. Traditional roles like GIS analysts still exist, but there's a growing demand for geospatial data scientists, geospatial data engineers, geospatial developers, and geospatial architects. Each path requires a combination of skills, including spatial data analysis, data engineering, analytics, and database administration. While coding skills are valuable, there's also room for low code/no code solutions in modern GIS. The key is to start somewhere, gain quick wins to build confidence, and then specialize in areas that align with personal interests and career goals.
Embracing Open Source and Interoperability
Open source technology plays a vital role in modern GIS, enabling scalability, flexibility, and collaboration. Many modern GIS tools and platforms utilize open source technologies like PostGIS, GDAL, Leaflet, and more. Open source fosters interoperability, allowing seamless integration and data exchange between different technologies and systems. While cloud-based solutions are popular, the same technologies can be used locally, providing accessibility and enabling self-managed geospatial workflows. The focus is on leveraging the power of open standards and interoperable tools to drive innovation and solve complex geospatial problems.
Adapting to Changing User Experience and Expectations
The user experience in modern GIS has evolved, with a shift towards smoother workflows, increased accessibility, and varied output options. While maps remain an important visualization tool, modern GIS goes beyond static maps to include dynamic dashboards, APIs, data pipelines, and more. The goal is to deliver valuable insights and solutions in the most suitable format for the intended audience. Embracing low code/no code solutions can further enhance user experience by providing easier access to geospatial capabilities. The key is to adapt to changing expectations and leverage the power of modern tools and approaches to deliver impactful and engaging geospatial experiences.
Embracing Flexibility in Modern GIS
Flexibility is a fundamental principle of modern GIS, allowing users to leverage diverse tools and technologies to solve geospatial problems. The output possibilities are wide-ranging, including maps, dashboards, APIs, reports, machine learning models, and more. The goal is to choose the right tools and techniques to achieve the desired outcomes, whether using GIS software, coding with Python, leveraging databases, or exploring cloud-based solutions. Modern GIS empowers users to think outside the box, adapt to changing needs, and leverage the growing ecosystem of geospatial tools and technologies to drive innovation and create impactful solutions.
Modern GIS is the process, systems, and technology used to derive insights from geospatial data. Modern GIS uses open, interoperable, and standards-based technology. It can be run locally or in the cloud and can scale to work with many different types, velocities, and scales of data.