3 Lessons Learned on Location Analytics and GIS

Location analytics is another way that GIS is transforming the public sector. This is due to advancements in GIS technology, GIS can be leveraged enterprise wide and within applications that users are already comfortable with. For instance, with Esri software, users can create simple maps using excel plug-in. The same can be said for organizations CRM, BI, ERP and nearly anything that has a location tied to it.

The abstract for the location analytics section reads:

Businesses and organizations are discovering the value of being able to answer the “where” question in their daily work. Through its Location Analytics initiative Esri is enabling everyone in the organization to harness the value of the Esri mapping platform. Come to this session to learn how Esri is adding Location Analytics to business systems, including business intelligence apps, customer relationship management apps, and office productivity apps. Through use cases and examples, learn how commercial and government organizations can take advantage of Esri’s rich mapping, map-driven analysis tools and geographic content to gain new insight and make better decisions.

3 Lessons learned from session:

1. Location analytics is a lesson in how to successfully leverage big data and GIS, to provide new insights and redefine service delivery in the public sector
2. GIS and location analytics allows organizations to leverage their existing business applications and infrastructures in new ways, finding new value and insights
3. The GIS user base is changing – more people want to leverage GIS, and that leads to many different operational and organizational challenges

To me, the session was another reminder of the major theme that I have seen this week at Esri UC – GIS is quickly permeating throughout the entire enterprise. This is because GIS is helping to make the complex simplistic through visually showing data. Yet, although GIS is moving beyond traditional GIS users, there are a lot of challenges that come with the journey.

Agencies must train users on how to properly build maps. Using functions that allow you to cluster data, rather than plot every single point, helps to find value from the data. Also, the infrastructure needs are important to consider, and need authoritative and trained GIS professionals to make sure backend is working correctly for users.

Check out the GIS resources available on GovLoop:

• GovLoop’s GIS Knowledge Hub
• The Power of GIS for Facilities Management [Infographic]
• How GIS Influences our Daily Lives [Infographic]
• GIS Interviews [Videos]
• Identifying the Promise of GIS for Gov [Guide]

	When Esri was founded in 1969, it realized even then that geographic information system (GIS) technology could make a difference in society. GIS helps people to solve problems at local, regional, national, and global scales. Access maps and apps at ArcGIS.com. Be sure to check out all the GIS resources produced by Esri and GovLoop.