Inputs invited for “The need for National level strategy for Open Principles in Geospatial”

For those of you planning to attend FOSS4G UK conference at  Ordnance Survey in Southampton (June 14th to 16th 2016 ), i would like to bring to your attention to the discussion session on  “The need for National level strategy for Open Principles in Geospatial” and i invite your inputs and contributions to the discussions and action plans.

There are now lot of examples of  successful migration to open source GIS in full swing in local authorities and government organisations across UK . For example, Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead migrated to using open source GIS in 2015 and has found significant efficiencies in staff time, cost savings and an increase in the number of departments using GIS. Details at https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/blog/2016/03/using-open-source-gis-in-the-public-sector/

The provisional timetable is at http://uk.osgeo.org/foss4guk2016/timetable.html   and details of how to how to register are at http://uk.osgeo.org/foss4guk2016/

The need for National level strategy for Open Principles in Geospatial
15th June 2016 (Wednesday)
11:30-13:00
Venue: – Ordnance Survey, Explorer House, Southampton

This  session aims to bring together interested delegates from government, industry and academia to discuss ideas on best practices in open source geospatial implementations, open data, open standards, opportunities for geo industry, migration to open source GIS ,economic benefits, accelerating innovation ecosystems , skills development and educational opportunities, creating  highly skilled jobs, expanding startups and accelerating the digital economy.

It is important that central/local governments should look at the big picture and long term view (and join forces and efforts) for mechanisms   to train and support GIS teams for local government. There should be a National Centre for Open Government with expertise in Open Technologies and Open Data to build best practices in open source geospatial implementations and open data  . There needs to be support and training facilities availble the local GIS departments.  Investing in people is important. Scalability (without worring about exponential increases in licensing costs) will also be a important factor in cost savings and efficiencies[1].

I have summarized some of my initial  thoughts/ideas on the need for National level strategy for Open Principles in Geospatial at https://opensourcegeospatial.icaci.org/2016/03/national-level-strategy-for-open-principles-in-geospatial-ideas-and-inputs-needed/

It will also help other countries around the world to build upon these ideas . FOSS4G UK 2016 conference in Southampton   will provide a good opportunity to discuss these ideas. I am looking forward to see many of you there and discuss ideas for the future. If you are aiming to attend the session and contribute your ideas for this session, please do let me know asap.

Best wishes,

Suchith

Dr. Suchith Anand
http://www.geoforall.org/

Geo for All – Building and expanding Open Geospatial Science

[1] https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/business-and-government/case-studies/warwickshire-county-council-new-web-gis.html

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