Geospatial Technologies in Business Innovation
Geospatial technologies are those that collect, analyse and exploit geospatial data. Geospatial datasets have an earth-based location or spatial component to them. Geo refers to the earth and spatial refers to location or how things relate to each other in size, shape and location, either down here on earth or further out into space.
Geospatial technologies are fuelling many innovations that are changing the ways businesses operate and are creating new business opportunities. For example, the rapid proliferation of connected and automated vehicles, drones, robots, mega satellite constellations, 5G communications and other advances are leading to the emergence of a hyper-connected future enabled by an Internet-of-Things consisting of location-aware devices and connected devices.
Businesses can exploit these opportunities through the creation of new business models that improve productivity, help to manage resources better, reduce the impact of climate change, provide benefits to society and ultimately make a positive impact on the economy by generating revenue.
SMEs have a leading role to play in this agenda, they are the lifeblood of the UK economy, with the agility to apply and exploit the new opportunities made possible by innovations emerging from the applications of geospatial technologies.
Existing SMEs can reap multiple benefits from the exploitation of geospatial technologies. This can take the form of new business ventures. For example:
In the Visitor Economy - taking advantage of location technology for crowd control, counting visitor footfall, and delivering location-triggered augmented reality experiences.
Retail and logistics companies offering tailored and enhanced delivery services.
Remote condition monitoring services delivered by engineering companies.
Surveying & Construction - planning and managing construction sites more effectively through harnessing earth observation and location technologies.
There are also fantastic opportunities for companies to use the power of geospatial technologies to improve business processes and achieve effective digital transformation. Some examples here include the integration of geospatial datasets such as satellite imagery into planning applications and the use of aerial survey data to count cars in car parks to manage capacity.
Not only do SMEs benefit from investing in innovation per se, the vast majority of SMEs across the length and breadth of the UK have the propensity to benefit from innovations based on the exploitation of geospatial technologies. Whether that be for innovations that lead to new business models or innovation in business processes through digital transformation.
Trends and Insights Contributor: Paul Bhatia, Managing Director at Geospatial Ventures