Putting Business on the Map: Today’s Geospatial Industry
In this course we will explore the key practices, players, and products in the geospatial industry and the industries it serves. How are businesses using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to improve their processes today? What are the biggest hurdles in implementing geospatial solutions? Which companies and advances (i.e., cloud computing, big data analytics) are driving change in geospatial technologies? Through a series of interactive case studies, guest speakers, and field visits, we will examine how GIS is being deployed in the energy, retail, government, and agriculture industries. Students will analyze how cost, technical scalability, accessibility, partnerships, and competition between industry leaders and emerging tech companies results in both innovation and—at times—stagnation across the industry. (GEOG 0120 or by approval).