Today at Where2.0 in San Jose, ESRI President, Jack Dangermond took to the stage (for a record 6th year in a row) to discuss among other things, ArcGIS.com and more specifically, how GIS is changing. Some details from the presentation:
- Jack enthusiastically described how services are built on tools like the cloud, uses cloud sourcing, open data, and user generated content. Orgs are building on these tools and sharing RESTful services which are easily discoverable and come with easy to use UIs, have open APIs, and run on any browser (PC or mobile).
- He described how a new kind of architecture is emerging… so far about 50,000 servers (commercial, academic, gov) and exposing their information via the web. A new infrastructure has emerged where apps can be built on top of that distributed environment… think Open Governement, crime mapping, GIS on the web.
- Crowd-sourcing is becoming increasingly important and a major focus. The National Map and others are looking at UGD.
- Jack and ArcGIS.com – sharing maps and apps (drag and drop) put them in the cloud for sharing and discovery). The central focus is the map – these maps have the data model behind them, users are sharing not just the map but the geographic knowledge… use my map with your data and your model or analysis.
- Good maps require good base maps…
- ArcGIS – think Open and community participation and collaboration using services in the cloud. Downloadable apps (free or paid for)Example, local information (like from San Fran) is pushed into map tiles for tremendous detail for the end user. For developers thge services are exposed via the web app, enabling further use and reuse. Search for data using ArcGIS.com or the openweb via Google services. Create your own mashups, save them.
- Publishers… enable sharing of your data. Share with a group, tweet it, share with the world. Coming soon, even access these data in a mobile environment via iPhone…
- Jack – “we have 300,000 user orgs with 10s of thousands of services… all open std based stuff there for you to use and mashup!” Think GIS in the Sky
Keep an eye on ArcGIS.com