Geo-Services: Key Drivers and Technologies

Summary

Geographic data and maps are critical components of daily life for people and businesses alike. They underlie our networked food supply and energy delivery, drive global commerce and logistics, and lubricate our transportation systems. Our modern, interlinked global economy would grind to an immediate halt without them.

Services based on digital maps and geographic data have become embedded in modern culture. They provide an increasingly rich array of utility previously impossible for traditional paper-based maps and atlases. Consumers now have at their fingertips interactive maps; turn-by-turn navigation within their vehicles; shopping services driven by targeted, location-specific promotions; restaurant, venue and vacation recommendations from groups of local friends; and a vast library of descriptive and rich multimedia content easily accessible from and for almost any place on Earth. We call this collection of content and services, geo-services.

In this Spotlight, we take an in-depth look at geo-services, exploring three key areas. First, for some background, we examine how we reached this place, define geo-services and discuss key drivers. Next we look at the main technologies that enable geo-services. Finally, we summarize the most promising approaches to this technology and focus on several leading companies in the geo-services space.

A follow-up Spotlight will examine some key trends that identify where geoservices may be heading. Also, we will look at the challenges and benefits of geo-services to businesses, drawing some conclusions for travel consumers and enterprises.