The Grill: GIS pioneer Jack Dangermond on the future of mapping technologies

Computerworld - With the founding of ESRI 40 years ago, Jack Dangermond pioneered the business of geographic information systems (GIS). He shares his perspective on how the Web has democratized access to geographic information, and how mashups between GIS and traditional information systems are transforming the way companies view and analyze business data.

You have been at this for more than 40 years. During that time, what would you say has been your greatest accomplishment? Creating a product organized around geography. I don't think it was inevitable that geographic information systems would have come into being in the way they have.

Mapping, sure. Visualization, yes. We see it now all over the Web. But the notion of creating a unique information system about geographic stuff is largely what ESRI is known for. We didn't author the idea ... but we commercialized it.

What do geographic information systems do today? The geographic approach is not simply putting dots on maps or simple visualization, but the incorporation of many layers of geographic measurement. The powerful vision here is not just making a map but integrating all of the factors that should be considered. Fast-food chains use [GIS] as their framework for site selection and also for market analysis -- that is, to determine what the market is for particular products or services.

It's data management, it's data processing with complex data, it's multiuser access and processing, it's integration with other IT layers like data management and Web services. It's powerful visualization, 3-D rotation in real time, photography, the ability to handle complex models that are science-based. It's about integrating many types of measurements -- GPS measurements, remotely sensed measurements. It's a complex technology.

What is your vision? To use information technology and specifically geographic information systems to make a difference. It started with using computer mapping tools and rational thinking for doing environmental planning projects, but it has now become a full IT system for integrating all sorts of scientific and geographic information into all human activities. This is the story of what GIS is about today. And I believe that it is just beginning. While we started in government, what's occurring today is making it pervasive throughout computing.