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The pace at which Geographic Information Systems are developing, there is no doubt that the future of these systems and networks will be anything but monotonous. Experts and analysts predict a very positive, yet rigorous future for GISs and those involved with their development and control. This article with show you what to expert in the future of GIS. 

GIS systems are now automatic, more sophisticated and significantly higher at providing accuracy than ever. Moreover, as these systems grow, so does the skill set for those working for it. Analyst candidates will now need very specific and tailors skills to make sure that their clients are fully satisfied and convinced.

Top Future Trends for GIS

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Trends for GIS mainly revolve around the kind of technology and upcoming means of communication. The following is a list of trends that are unanimously agreed upon by major critics and observers. Hence, these trends are in-line with the major technological trends that are also being seen in the 21st century.

  • The increased use of location detection applications and devices. Sensors in everyday devices will also increase in number, thus increasing the collection of Geo-spatial information creation and collection.
  • The role of social media will become more and more crucial in providing accurate location information to organizations as well as the common man. Since this information is in real time, it will over-ride existing data.
  • Devices with high resolution imagery will become the need of the time. Such imagery will deliver clearer pictures of landscape locations.
  • The incorporation of 3D and 4D Geo-Spatial information will become a highlight of the next few years. These two technologies will enable GIS to become highly precise with the addition of ‘time’ as the fourth dimension when taking the various other factors into account.
  • Global collaboration on data management and collection will increase. As the importance of GISs becomes more pronounced, international bodies will pool resources to fund its development.
  • The demand for Geo-Spatial technology will increase in the Developing Countries because of their ongoing developmental plans. As these countries try to rank higher in terms of economic wellbeing, they will use GISs most frequently to plan for land and economic reforms.
  • National Organizations that have a monopoly in Geo-Spatial Development and Usage will slowly give up their power as technology becomes common to smaller companies.
  • Location Awareness will become crucial on the internet.
  • Educational programs and development to increase the capacity of the economy will become more specific to the country under question.
  • As geographic information becomes more common, people will open up gradually to using it in everyday life. Soon they will adapt to newer modes of communication that use GISs.
  • Geo-Spatial information will start using the Cloud. Cloud Technology will become an important mode of delivery for this data because it is faster, efficient and requires very little maintenance.
  • The importance of Metadata will soar as more and more geographic data is created and there is a need to access it with ease. Metadata will also become more precise and highly categorized.
  • The development of GIS and Metadata will start to take place predominantly on free and open source networks because of the high level of flexibility and customization offered.
  • Fully automated Geo-Spatial systems will be found easily as human interaction will decrease. Decision making and geographic computations will take place via fully automated computers.
  • Governments and Private Businesses will invest heavily in the development of GISs. Tools and resources to manage data will be state of the art to ensure precision.
  • In the near future, a Geo-Spatial Infrastructure will be created. Society will rely on this infrastructure for basic and advanced location information.
  • Smartphones will soon film 3D and 360 degree shots, resulting in very high resolution images that will make GIS even easier.
  • Rapid growth in data creation and distribution will lead to a lot of confusion.
  • As more location data swamps the network, privacy will become a major issue. No longer would people feel safe when they browse the internet.
  • Traditional costs related to data maintenance will become far too heavy for any organization to bear. With automation, these costs will go down and make room for high efficiencies as a result of precise location information.

Conclusion

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The road to development for GIS is never ending. Being rich and sophisticated, the Geographic Information System in place today will slowly be replaced with better alternatives that will be fully automated and function on artificial intelligence. Such systems will aid the government in developing economies and bringing about positive change in the society.

If you have any questions, or comments about this article and the future trends of GIS let us know in the space below:

Or, you may choose to continue your GIS education now by clicking here training.gis-university.com/5stepchallenge

References
https://ggim.un.org/docs/meetings/Netherlands/Future%20trends%20in%20geospatial%20information%20management%20summary_12April.pdf
http://www.webmapsolutions.com/criticism-future-trends-geospatial-information-management-ten-year-vision

Ian
Ian