News

Iraq Spatial Data Infrastructure (ISDI) Workshop Complete, National SDI on Horizon

The GPC Group — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 06:09:42 +0000

Iraq

In mid-February 2012, over 25 persons representing 13 national and regional government organizations assembled in Erbil in the north of Iraq for an intensive three-day exchange to explore concepts and ideas towards the establishment of a National Spatial Data Infrastructure for Iraq. The workshop was conducted under the auspices of the Prime Minister Advisory Committee (PMAC), and supported by the United States Geologic Survey (USGS). Staff from the GPC Group facilitated the workshop, bringing experience and insights regarding the implementation of GIS federations and Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) in other countries and regions around the world. The first day of the workshop focused on the principles of GIS and the application of the technology to a wide variety of sectors; the evolution of different levels and structures of GIS federations and ultimately into more formal and institutionalized national and regional SDI; and case studies from around the world to illustrate how the same basic principles have been applied in different contexts.

During the second day, all the participating government organizations presented a summary of the work that they are already doing with GIS. All participants were impressed with the interesting work being carried out by individual agencies, but even more eye-opening was the realization that cumulatively the stakeholder organizations have already build a broad array of data and applications, yet not all were fully aware of each other’s efforts. A very engaging dialog among the attendees filled the afternoon with very energetic and enlightening discussions about the state of GIS development in Iraq, common challenges faced, and the potential for the future. Concluding the day’s proceedings, the GPC Group presented their experience in the planning, institutionalization, and strengthening phases of the Abu Dhabi Spatial Data Infrastructure that has been implemented by the Abu Dhabi Systems and Information Centre.

The third and final day of the workshop started with a review of “lessons learned” in the implementation of GIS and SDI around the world. This discussion focused primarily on the human and institutional factors that so often determine the success or failure of such efforts. By mid-morning of the third day, all the workshop participants had a common understanding of GIS, SDI, the considerable efforts already underway in the country, and lessons learned. This provided the foundation of a common understanding that was then applied to evaluating an approach and priorities for moving an Iraq SDI initiative forward. Each activity “Track” was discussed, as well as the interdependencies between parallel tracks. Feedback from the participants was recorded during these discussions. The final feedback from the participants was compiled into a final workplan that was be presented to the PMAC as a group recommendation for the way forward in development of the Iraq SDI.

All the participants expressed their gratitude and appreciation for the breadth and relevance of the material covered in the workshop. For most, this was the most in-depth exposure to all the technical, institutional and governance factors that must be addressed to achieve an effectively functioning SDI initiative. GPC was honored to have the opportunity to participate in this important meeting, and looked forward to seeing this initiative grow and evolve into a world class initiative while contributing significantly to the economic, social and environmental development of the country in the coming years and decades.

Presentations in Arabic:

Presentations in English:

GITA and GPC-GIS Announce Education and Training Partnership

The GPC Group — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 23:05:25 +0000

Aurora, Colo., USA and Abu Dhabi, UAE, December 12, 2011—GITA, a non-profit educational association headquartered in Colorado and GPC-GIS, a private sector consulting company based in Abu Dhabi, jointly announce the formation of a collaborative partnership to design, develop and conduct educational events to raise the awareness, knowledge, expertise and professionalism of the rapidly evolving geospatial workforce in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region.

The partnership will deliver education and training services under the title ―Project GEMENI,‖ an acronym for the ―Geospatial Education in Middle Eastern Nations Initiative.‖ Project GEMENI is expected to include a combination of seminars, workshops and in-depth courses focused on a variety of subjects related to the critical aspects of designing, developing and implementing geospatial projects and applications throughout the MENA Region.

GPC-GIS will retain exclusive rights to represent GITA events and programs in the Region and will be primarily responsible for marketing, promotion and local facilitation of GEMENI regional events and services. GITA will serve as primary educational content provider, utilizing its established network of qualified subject matter experts under the coordination of Talbot J. Brooks, Director of the Center for Interdisciplinary Geospatial Information Technologies at Delta State University.

Robert M. Samborski, GITA’s Executive Director, said, ―We welcome this extraordinary opportunity to help shape the future of geospatial professional development in this critical part of the world. GITA is an association exclusively dedicated to furthering education and awareness of geospatial information GITA and GPC-GIS Announce Education and Training Partnership – Page 1 GITA and GPC-GIS Announce Education and Training Partnership and technology. In doing so, we seek to raise the professional standards of geospatial practitioners worldwide. Project GEMENI will benefit existing and future geospatial practitioners in the MENA Region, but also will accrue to GITA members and constituents in North America and elsewhere. We look forward to working with GPC-GIS as partners in this important venture.‖

According to Mark Sorensen, General Manager of GPC-GIS, ―The Eye on Earth Summit in Abu Dhabi is indeed an auspicious occasion to launch Project GEMENI. Geospatial Information Technology and Services is such an important component of global sustainability and access to societal data. The beneficiaries of Project GEMENI education and training will be in the forefront of achieving the objectives and aspirations of the Summit as professional development and expertise in using geospatial technology advances throughout our region.‖ Initial course offerings are being planned for the region in January 2012.

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About GITA – www.gita.org

The Geospatial Information & Technology Association (GITA) is the professional association and leading advocate for anyone using geospatial technology to help operate, maintain, and protect the infrastructure, which includes organizations such as utilities, telecommunication companies, and the public sector. Through industry leading conferences—along with research initiatives, chapters, membership, and other programs—GITA provides education and professional best practices to geospatial practitioners focused upon critical infrastructure assets. For more information on GITA contact Libby Hanna at lhanna@gita.org or by phone at 720-496-0486.

About GPC-GIS – http://www.thegpcgroup.com/gpcgis/

Based in Abu Dhabi, UAE, GPC Global Information Solutions LLC (GPC-GIS), was launched in 2008 by the Geographic Planning Collaborative, Inc. (GPC) to specialize in the delivery of geospatial information services to the MENA Region. GPC-GIS provides consulting services in Geospatial Information Technology and Services (GITS), Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI), Geospatial Education, Location Based Services and Information Management for a wide variety of organizations and projects in the region. For more information about GPC-GIS and its services, contact Dr. Garfield Giff at Garfield.Giff@gpc-gis.ae or by phone at +971-2-666-65-74.

GPC Inc. to Exhibit at the Eye on Earth Summit & Exhibition

The GPC Group — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 07:22:04 +0000

GPC Inc. will be exhibiting at the Eye on Earth Summit & Exhibition to be held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC) on 12-15 December, 2011 in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

The Eye on Earth Summit will enable global leaders, innovators and decision-makers to focus on an issue critical to the conservation of our planet: ensuring effective access to the world’s expanding pool of environmental and societal data by all of those who need it.

The vision of Eye on Earth was formed almost ten years ago, when the formation of the Abu Dhabi Global Environment Data Initiative (AGEDI) was announced on 2 September 2002, under the guidance and patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, at the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in Johannesburg.

Today AGEDI supports the international movement for global stakeholders devoted to the issue of greater access to environmental and societal data. The Eye on Earth Summit, marking AGEDI’s next phase, aims to encourage and strengthen existing efforts, and inspire unified, global solutions to this shared challenge. Present will be government, business, science, civil society and academia. Critically those sectors that can benefit most by knowing more about the importance of sharing data and information will be represented.

For more information on the Eye On Earth Summit & Exhibition; please refer to www.eyeonearthsummit.net

The Urban and Regional Information Systems Association (URISA) Announces GPC GIS as its Newest Business Member in the MENA Region

The GPC Group — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 14:07:48 +0000

In the July/August 2011 edition of”the GIS professional” the Urban and Regional Information Systems Association (URISA) announced GPC GIS as its newest business member in the MENA region (see: http://www.urisa.org/files/aug2011.pdf). URISA is a nonprofit association of professionals using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and other information technologies to solve challenges in state / provincial and local government agencies and departments; academia; the private sector and nonprofit organizations. URISA is considered to be the premier organization for the use and integration of geospatial information technology and services (GITS) to improve the quality of life in urban and regional environments. It is a multidisciplinary association where professionals from all parts of the geospatial data community come together to share concerns and ideas.

GPC GIS will leverage its URISA business membership to enhance its GITS Professional Development program which is aimed at growing sustainable communities in the MENA region through the promotion and application of geospatial information solutions. GPC GIS will infuse its extensive local knowledge with URISA’S internationally renowned training programs to grow GITS human capacity in the MENA region. This unique partnership will facilitate GITS professional advancement, GISP certification, and the training of new graduates and young professional in the field of GITS.

The GITS training programs resulting from the URISA-GPC GIS partnership will be delivered by URISA Certified instructors and will take on the format of short courses, workshops, conferences and seminars.

GPC GIS is excited to work with URISA in growing the GITS human capacity in the MENA region and is fervently looking forward to seeing you at one of its training events in the near future. See a listing of our training programs at: http://www.thegpcgroup.com/pds/

GPC GIS to Exhibit at Geospatial EXPO 2011 in Dubai, UAE

The GPC Group — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 08:25:17 +0000

GPC GIS, the MENA-focused subsidiary of the GPC Group, will be exhibiting at the Geospatial 2011 EXPO at the Al Bustan Rotana Hotel in Dubai, UAE, from 19 - 20 September.

Geospatial EXPO 2011 is a leading regional event sponsored by GIS Development that provides GITS professionals and service providers a networking hub for sharing new product and services information, emerging trends, and industry developments via product demos, workshops and technology tracks put on by vendors.

GPC GIS will be featured in the EXPO Demonstration Area each day from 14:15 – 14:45, and will be introducing its GITS Professional Development Program and its City Sourced Partnership.

For more information on Geospatial EXPO 2011; please refer to www.geospatialexpo.org

OGC and GPC GIS Partnering to Grow GITS Interoperability in the MENA Region

The GPC Group — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 05:48:15 +0000

Geospatial Information, Technology and Services (GITS) interoperability in the MENA region received a big boost in July 2011. GPC Global Information Solutions (GPC GIS) joined the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) to help drive open standards in the region. Both organizations have collaborated to create a partnership agreement that will see GPC GIS working closely with the OGC to increase the awareness of open geospatial standards, promote the benefits of these standards, and support greater implementation of OGC standards in the MENA region. GPC GIS is a leading provider of GITS Consulting Services and Professional Development with a long, successful track record of doing business with many organizations, institutions and companies regionally.

Steven Ramage, Executive Director Marketing and Communications for the OGC, said, "The OGC has been underrepresented in the Middle East until now. There’s extensive geospatial knowledge in the region and open standards are being used in a number of domains, such as environment, defence, public safety and spatial data infrastructures. Having GPC GIS as an OGC Associate Member working with us in the region means we can raise awareness and understanding of the value of OGC standards and membership in the consortium.”

This innovative partnership will allow GPC GIS to infuse its local knowledge with OGC’s international experience to deliver knowledge and expertise on geospatial standards to the region, as well as provide a channel for GITS professionals to participate and influence GITS standards development internationally. This knowledge and expertise will be delivered through seminars, workshops, short courses, conferences, meetings, forums, and working groups all open to existing and potential users of OGC standards and members of the OGC.

GPC GIS and the OGC seek to enhance the awareness, development, and implementation of GITS standards in the MENA region.

GPC GIS to Bring CitySourced, a Real-Time Mobile Civic Engagement Platform, to the MENA Region

The GPC Group — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 13:01:08 +0000

GPC GIS has signed a VAR Agreement with CitySourced, and will focus on delivering this product to the MENA Region.

CitySourced is a real time mobile civic engagement platform, that provides a simple and intuitive platform empowering residents to identify civic issues (public safety, quality of life & environmental issues, etc.) and report them to the appropriate authorities for quick resolution.

CitySourced provides an opportunity for government to use technology to save time and money plus improve accountability to those they govern; and a positive, collaborative platform for real action.

A picture tells a thousand words and CitySourced makes it snap!

Based in Abu Dhabi, UAE, GPC GIS, was launched in 2008 by the Geographic Planning Collaborative, Inc. (GPC) to specialize in the delivery of geospatial information services to the MENA Region. By harnessing more than 25 years experience of GPC partners, GPC GIS provides consulting services in Geospatial Information Technology and Services (GITS), Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI), Geospatial Education, Location Based Services and Information Management for a wide variety of organizations and projects in the region.

“We are extremely excited about this relationship with CitySourced that will enable us to bringing this type of cutting edge LBS solution to the MENA Region.” Mark Sorensen, GPC GIS GM

“GPC GIS brings a unique knowledge of the MENA Region, with years of experience in developing GIS infrastructure and capacity. We are pleased to be able to extend our product reach into the MENA Region with GPC GIS.” Jason Kiesel CitySourced Founder and Chief Architect

Coordination of Spatial Data in Abu Dhabi is Contributing 230 Million Dhs Savings in Government Expenditures

The GPC Group — Mon, 30 May 2011 05:18:39 +0000

H.E. Mohammed Ahmed Al Bawardi, Secretary General of Abu Dhabi Executive Council has confirmed that the Spatial Data Initiative (AD-SDI) launched in July 2007 has succeeded in achieving the desired objectives of facilitating geospatial data sharing between government entities and other concerned entities, providing coordinated access to current high quality geographical information, and advising on spatially-enabled e-Government services for Abu Dhabi Government customers be they citizens or businesses.

The AD-SDI initiative is a key pillar of the broader Abu Dhabi Government Services Modernization program being implemented under the wise council and direction of His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Chairman of the Executive Council of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Through its realisation location-aware customer-centric government services can be facilitated in the Abu Dhabi e-Government drive.

Commenting on Abu Dhabi Systems and Information Centre (ADSIC) receiving a worldwide recognition award from global Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology leader ESRI in San Diego this past week, H.E. Al Bawardi said “The coordination efforts of this initiative have contributed to the proactive, comprehensive and informed planning and decision-making process, as well as to the implementation of an integrated approach that is increasing the government performance efficiency and streamlining the work of 40 public and semi-public sector organizations, including concerned entities in education and academia.”

He further added: “This initiative will contribute in saving approximately 230 million Dhs in government expenditures by avoiding duplication of effort, increasing staff performance, and by providing concerned beneficiaries with accurate information that ensures effective and successful decision making.

”GIS technology currently provides a variety of computer tools that are used to gather, manage, share, and accurately verify geographical data, in addition to analyze and transform it to visual images. The GIS concept means more than simply developing maps on computers; it provides an information infrastructure platform to cluster various forms or themes of geographic data together, thus supporting a standardized all-inclusive decision-making process across many business sectors and on multiple levels.

Many government entities in Abu Dhabi have invested in GIS technology and enterprise database systems to meet their own needs. Through the AD-SDI initiative, ADSIC on behalf of the Abu Dhabi Government has succeeded in establishing the framework (policies, partnerships, standards, data, procedures, technologies, and the appropriate institutional capabilities) necessary to support geographic information sharing and to optimize benefits across the Emirate. It is upon the solid foundation of the AD-SDI that spatial or geographic information will optimally serve concerned decision makers in both the public and private sectors.

GPC Group President, Mark Sorensen, To Speak at Geospatial Intelligence Middle East 2011

The GPC Group — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 06:17:57 +0000

Mark Sorensen, Founder and President of the GPC Group, will be speaking alongside his expert peers at the Geospatial Intelligence Middle East 2011 conference in Dubai, UAE on 16 May 2011. Fellow speakers include:

John Bruni, Former Researcher in Strategic Studies/Director, Emirates Centre for Strategic & Security Studies/Sage International
Manal Alshamlan, Head of GIS Development Section, GIS Department, Dubai Municipality
Richard Brittan, Director, Alcis Ltd.
Anil Kumar, Head Management Information, Environment Agency Abu Dhabi
Dr. Hamdy El-Gamily, Director of Geoinformatics Centre, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR)
Richard Smith, Force Information Manager, British Transport Police
Ayman Al-Wadi, Group Head of GIS, Royal Jordanian Geographic Centre

The conference will be one of the largest geospatial intelligence conferences in the world, giving participants the chance to meet more key decision makers, from a wider variety of countries than ever before, including representatives from Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Kuwait, UK, US, UAE, India.

Mark Sorensen will be presenting the following session:

Addressing The Complexities In Getting Your GIS Or Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) Program Up And Running

The benefits of utilising GIS are well-known and generally accepted; however, actually getting a project started and reaching the point where the benefits outweigh the initial investment and the operating costs remains incredibly challenging. In this presentation, Mark will address some of these complexities including:

Understanding that whilst GIS architecture has tremendous benefits, there can be a high initial overhead when first establishing the many facets of a fully functional system.
Securing buy-in for your GIS or SDI project from multiple stakeholders
Tackling the challenges of cooperation and collaboration and bringing about cultural change
Keeping the program going when it hits a challenge

The event brochure is accessible through the following link: http://bit.ly/gxNWHP

GPC GIS to Exhibit at GISWORX in Dubai, UAE

The GPC Group — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 13:33:39 +0000

GPC GIS, the MENA-focused subsidiary of the GPC Group, will be exhibiting at the GISWORX 2011 Exhibition at the Al Bustan Rotana Hotel in Dubai, UAE, from 14 - 16 March. The main event, alongside the exhibition, provides a unique indepth learning environment on various aspects of GIS to both beginners as well as advanced users through several technical workshops on focused topics. Over the years, GISWORX has evolved to be the premier GIS event in the Middle East region.

The exhibition will provide GPC GIS with a great platform to showcase their recent project successes and to discover new business development opportunities in the region. If you are in the area from the 14th - 16th of March, come by to meet our directors!