Wednesday, October 8. 2008

IDC Pegs SIM Market Growth at 14.2%

David Sonnen, an analyst with IDC, said that the size of the spatial information market (SIM) is about $2.8 billion and that he pegs the compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) at 14.2%. Sonnen said that, "We don't see a lot of downside unless the economy tanks completely." Sonnen made his remarks today at the MetaCarta Public User's Group Meeting in Tysons Corner, Virginia.

EPA GIO Seeks Ways to Communicate Directly with the Public

Speaking at MetaCarta's Public Sector User Group Meeting, Dr. Jerry Johnston, the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Geographic Information Officer (GIO) said he envisions a day when the public will utilize EPA's data prior to a house-hunting trip. Johnston said he hopes that the public would ask:
"What’s nearby? Are there hazardous waste facilities nearby? What is the drinking water quality? What’s the air quality? What’ it like on a typical summer day? Where is the closest recycling facility? How do we move toward a seamless adoption of place as a keystone concept in providing ascess to relevant environmental information?"

I think the problem for EPA is that you just don't think of going to the EPA to find this kind of information. You may look to local government agencies to find this but not the Federal Government. Perhaps we should? Even Johnston himself mentioned that information on the EPA's website was hard to find. And that the EPA does not have a common operating picture, a common view within the agency. Johnston wants a data fusion center where people can begin to do things with EPA's data. Most of the data that EPA has is collected from other agencies and produces very little on their own. They are massive consumers of information so the agency is looking to do a better job of distributing what it collects.

EPA has just signed an agreement to acquire a license for Google Earth Enterprise and looks to create an EPA globe in an "Environmental Decision Support Center." EPA also utilizes Microsoft's Virtual Earth platform as well.

Biz Discount Based on Location

I just called up my local gym for the annual "re-upping." I can't afford a year-round membership, so I sign up each fall and quit each spring. It's a fancy place and they clearly are geared to "year rounders." For the first time they asked if I work for a local business. I do.

It turns out anybody (ok any woman, it's a women's gym) who works for a business within a mile of the place gets $6 off per month on their membership fees. According to the person to whom I spoke, the program has been in place for a year. I wonder why they've not advertised it to local businesses? I wonder if they really check to see if you are within a mile?

Quote of the Week

"Especially these days, people are used to using Yahoo Maps or Google Maps. Mapping has become something of a standard."

- Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency Business Intelligence Manager Carl Richardson in a GCN article about integrating MapInfo Professional with Cognos.