Q&A WITH A GIS EXPERTMarion Spencer, GIS Product Manager, AssetWorks

GIS technology changes the way our world views its data. More and more industries across the globe are realizing the power of GIS, which makes this year’s GIS Day all the more important.

When you want to learn more about a topic, you consult an expert. That’s why we brought in Marion Spencer, GIS Product Manager at AssetWorks, to answer some of your questions about GIS and its impact on the asset management industry.

How long have you been in the GIS industry? I have been in the GIS industry since September of 1999, so over 17 years now.

What initially drew you to GIS?The United States Navy actually afforded me the opportunity as an Intelligence Specialist to specialize in Imagery Analysis. This was my first step toward becoming a GIS specialist.

I have always found GIS to be an interesting and helpful tool since childhood, though it was not as sophisticated then! Back then it was just a map and a compass for a youngster, but the pull to figure out your surroundings and explore the world is still the same today as it was back then.

What is your favorite thing about GIS technology?There are many, though I think my favorite thing about the innovations in GIS technology is the way it can be tailored for anyone, anywhere. There are applications available for the smallest child to visualize their little world to the applications that allow the largest country in the world to visualize their constantly changing environment dynamically.

What is something you wish more people knew about GIS technology?I wish people knew that it isn’t just a pretty picture. It is an interactive way to visualize their changing lives. People are able to not just view, but search, build, overlay, and exploit GIS to help them in their daily lives as well as with planning for the future.

How have you seen GIS technology evolve since you entered the industry?Well, this might date me, but I began in this industry when the military still used paper maps and light tables for imagery analysis in training! Now, everything is digital and easy to access. Instead of finding inconsistencies in the mapping data and having to send it out to be reviewed, which could take months, users are able to update information in near-real time using open access GIS programs.

How would AssetWorks customers benefit from GIS?Customers using the AssetWorks solution with the functionality of GIS are able to visualize their workflows, minimize duplication of effort, reduce costs, and conduct planning. This support tool helps managers, workers and planners better structure the sequence of work management activities to enhance time management and asset management while capitalizing on monetary savings from reduced duplicative efforts visually.

How does Esri integration benefit AssetWorks EAM customers?The AssetWorks Esri integration benefits EAM customers on a multitude of levels. The main benefit that Esri users have is the seamless two-way communication between the AssetWorks solution and the Esri platform optimizes the benefits of Esri by leveraging that information in the AssetWorks work management solution, then constantly updating to maintain accurate information in both platforms.

What would you tell someone considering investing in GIS technology for their organization? Depending on their workflows and asset management requirements, I would tell them that a GIS solution can assist any organization that wants to visually track assets or activity.

Where do you see GIS in 10+ years?That is a loaded question since technology moves so quickly and anything is possible. I will leave it there for now and we can check back in 10 years!

Happy GIS Day from AssetWorks!

To learn more about enterprise asset management (EAM) solutions and GIS technology, please visit assetworks.com/eam.

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