When is Enterprise-wide GIS deployment viable?
- Arpit Shah
- Aug 24, 2019
- 4 min read
Updated: Feb 20
When I reached Class IX in my ICSE-affiliated school in Kolkata, I had selected an unusual specialization - Science with Commerce. Thereafter, I was given a choice for the subject that I had a love-hate relationship with - Mathematics: Pure Maths or Business Maths. Upon enquiring around, I figured that Pure Maths was more technical and difficult - suitable for those students who were looking to pursue a career in STEM in the future whereas Business Maths was comparatively practical and easier - suitable for those who wishes to pursue a career in non-STEM fields such as Economics, Business Administration or Accounting. Following the footsteps of my cousin, I chose the latter.
This analogy is applicable in a GIS implementation decision as well. When I say that I offer GIS services or Geospatial solutions, corporate executives from the private sector are often wary - What is this unknown creature?, Can it help my business in any way?, they wonder (or so I think). I make it a point to write an elaborate email and redirect them to some of my posts on this website meant to decode the GIS beast. I try to give them confidence that this is a creature that can be tamed - assisting to improve business processes and overall operations.
However, pan-Enterprise GIS deployment doesn't come cheap. Years of specialized man-hours by thousands of contributors (Cartographers, Scientists, Researchers etc.) have gone into making world-class geospatial/mapping technology platforms such as this. Due to the high upfront costs and new technology adoption challenges, it is often a difficult decision to invest in an Enterprise GIS license.
I generally suggest prospects to identify Problem Statements/Objectives which, if addressed/fulfilled, would result in net savings of above INR 5 million annually. This is my thumb-rule - if the potential savings surpass this threshold, it would certainly be viable to implement an Enterprise-wide GIS package and generate a positive return from the investment.
I believe that 4 out of 5 organizations from virtually any industry with an annual revenue of Rs 10 crores and above (100 million INR+) can benefit from deploying an Enterprise GIS.
Based on my experience, at this point in time, GIS is perceived as a good-to-have technology among corporates. Useful, but not necessary. As a result, not many are eager to opt for an Enterprise-wide implementation in the perennially ultra-competitive Indian business environment. Moreover, even when organizations do have a requirement that can be fulfilled by the any of the several specialized GIS modules, they'd rather want to pay for a particular module(s) rather than opt to procure the entire GIS platform (which unfortunately the developer does not permit). The feeling is akin to me selling a car to someone who is in the market to procure just a steering wheel. Hence, I've started to position this alternative. Hence I've ventured into offering Location Analytics/GIS services.
Location Analytics/GIS can be used for Operations Improvement purposes - ranging from market development and network design to dashboarding and sustainability. GIS provides a powerful framework to process geospatial data, however, one can combine it with the data points generated within the organisation or from publicly available datasets in order to enhance an organization's competitive edge. Watch this video case on The Shopping Centre Group to understand the concept and attractiveness of GIS. GIS-based Web and Mobile Applications can be developed too - one can have the freedom to view only the metrics-that-matter in an engaging format, across devices, integrating internal and external data, with dynamic analytics and visualization capabilities.
In its essence, GIS would help one create a common operating view of the organisation. One doesn't necessarily need significant technical or geospatial expertise to operate these user-friendly platforms. At Intelloc Mapping Services, we offer what we think is a compelling proposition - You desire and we configure. Besides business/operations-oriented workflows, one can perform technical geospatial workflows as well (akin to Pure Maths) which would require specialized Manpower. These can be related to AEC, Emergency Management, Natural Resource Management and a variety of other Location Intelligence-based needs. The technical capabilities of GIS should also be factored in when one decides whether to opt for an Enterprise-wide GIS deployment for his/her organization.
Moreover, one can also creatively come up with unique ways to utilize GIS technology. See this PaintCopter video by Disney Research Hub which utilizes Spatial Navigation capabilities powered by GIS or this Zootopia movie video which utilizes GIS-powered Landscape Digitization capabilities. Integrating Mapping/GIS Applications with Hardware, Sensors and advanced Computing technologies such as Machine Learning is also an increasingly viable option available to users now.
To summarize, when taking a decision on whether to procure GIS or not, one should factor the business-side capabilities of GIS as well as its pure technical capabilities - both of which can benefit organizations and institutions immensely.
ABOUT US
Intelloc Mapping Services, Kolkata | Mapmyops.com offers Mapping services that can be integrated with Operations Planning, Design and Audit workflows. These include but are not limited to Drone Services, Subsurface Mapping Services, Location Analytics & App Development, Supply Chain Services, Remote Sensing Services and Wastewater Treatment. The services can be rendered pan-India and will aid your organization to meet its stated objectives pertaining to Operational Excellence, Sustainability and Growth.
Broadly, the firm's area of expertise can be split into two categories - Geographic Mapping and Operations Mapping. The Infographic below highlights our capabilities-
Our Mapping for Operations-themed workflow demonstrations can be accessed from the firm's Website / YouTube Channel and an overview can be obtained from this brochure. Happy to address queries and respond to documented requirements. Custom Demonstration, Training & Trials are facilitated only on a paid-basis. Looking forward to being of service.
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