What are the future challenges for OS and other mapping agencies?
The objective must be to get all stakeholders utilising the benefits of web 2.0 and other rapidly advancing technologies, plus the associated skills and expertise to provide the information frameworks, innovation platforms, ease of access and ease of use of GI in addressing local to global challenges, efficiently and effectively. Technology now allows that mix of experimentation, rapid prototyping, design, innovation and creativity, collaboration and user contribution. The trick is to determine how to use that mix in order to create social and economic value to the benefit of all. A countrys national mapping organisation (NMO) is a valuable asset of the nation. However, the role of NMOs is changing massively advances in other sectors have meant the GI industry has had to develop and change. On November 17, Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced that some Ordnance Survey data would be made completely free. The announcement does not include large scale data. The GI industry is changing ra
