July 20169 Flexibility in Data Delivery via the CloudCloud computing, SaaS, and PaaS are well suited to alleviate that problem, and lead to more consistent and comprehensive solutions for diverse organizations. Data and services delivery via the cloud can be much more flexible and versatile than more static desktop software, and more able to support a wide range of functionality and data needs. In addition to a robust desktop GIS platform and associated deliverables, Colliers implements various spatial web services incorporated within internal applications for things like geocoding, drive time generation, and demographic data retrieval; and I certainly think this will expand dramatically in the future. The nature of cloud computing eases the challenge of spatial data/functionality access and enables a much wider audience to be consumers of it on demand.A Hybrid Cloud for Businesses of the FutureI think cloud computing generally is beginning to leave the "Trough of Disillusionment" of the Gartner Hype Cycle. There are even many useful examples in the location based realm. I don't think however that full GIS as a service is there yet-- it's more on the "Peak of Inflated Expectations" part of the curve. For the power user it's going to be a Big Data problem and full GIS functionality problem. GIS as a service need to data abilities, robust functionality, and analytical capability of the traditional desktop systems--which will be a heavy lift. Then of course there are also concerns about data security and privacy. Even if these concerns are misguided, there's a lot of convincing that needs to be done for an organization to move sensitive data, data models, secret sauce, etc...to the cloud.Ultimately I think GIS based business environments of the fu-ture will be a hybrid cloud--with a combination of public cloud resources and pri-vate cloud infra-structure within the organization, along with some traditional desktop GIS and consulting. Of course the ability to develop an internal cloud versus dependence more exclu-sively on public cloud computing will depend on the size of the company, and the ability to afford and dedi-cate the resources to its development. Internal company cloud platforms, applications, and services will provide the end user, in our case brokers and their clients, with the data versatility, integration, and accessibility that cloud computing affords; while also not lifting the com-pany's kimono exposing any closely guarded secrets. Additionally, a private cloud enables the company to build a wide range of customized, targeted applications ranging from simple data delivery to interactive pre-sentation tools to more robust modeling engines; that will be well suited to the specific needs of the end us-ers. These private clouds would be enhanced by a large and growing set of public cloud services and data that would be integrated into them.GIS Analytical Tool not for EverymanCloud computing--whether public, private, hybrid--will most certainly lead to a greater awareness and broader consumption of GIS. That seems like a patently obvious truth. I remain a bit skeptical that it will create deeper un-derstanding and more sophisticated utiliza-tion of GIS as a business intel-ligence and an-alytical tool for the contemporary everyman. After all, I can tell that my teen-ager isn't having a party because there aren't any cars parked outside my house right now in Google Earth. The nature of cloud computing eases the challenge of spatial data/functionality access and enables a much wider audience to be consumers ofit on demand
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