What is next-generation GIS?

GIS is associated with unfriendly software that does not support individual user needs.

With the growing importance of spatial data and user needs, the capabilities of GIS applications have evolved, and we often refer to GIS as a next-generation tool.

Is Usemaps a next-generation tool?

Since there is a new generation, there must also be an old one, and we’ll start with that. By old-generation GIS, I mean large, dedicated systems that were created according to the following process:

1. we have a problem to solve,
2. we design a solution,
3. we build/upgrade the system,
4. we work on the system,
5. problem solved.

This approach is logical and not inherently wrong. In some cases, it still works today. However, it has certain drawbacks:

1. Completing the entire cycle is long and costly. It requires problem analysis, securing funding, hiring designers and developers to implement changes. Especially in public administration, this process is challenging (we spent money on a system two years ago and now we don’t have the budget for it).
2. In this cycle, dedicated software often emerges (dedicated meaning developed according to the client’s specifications). This is a nightmare deserving its own discussion. Too often (especially under public procurement rules), a prototype system is created that is neither optimized, tested, nor secure. Maintenance and development cost a fortune.
3. Every change incurs costs.
4. The system ages, and its creators “disappear”—the people (and with them, the knowledge) who worked on it move on to other places, and often modernization ends up being more expensive than building a new system from scratch.

If there are next-generation systems, do they solve the problems of the old ones? In the vast majority of cases, yes, but let’s start with the definition. Next-generation systems are systems that:

1. largely cloud-based,
2. designed to integrate with other systems,
3. continuously developed,
4. highly configurable.

Alright, but what does this mean in practice?

This means a shift in thinking about IT systems in general. To draw a comparison with the car market: 99% of people who want to drive a car don’t go to a dealership with their own idea for a car. Instead, they browse available options, check configurations, and choose the one that best meets their needs. In return, they get a well-thought-out, well-designed, tested product with a real warranty and can rely on the experiences of other users. Only if they have a very specialized requirement do they go to a specialized company to modify or customize something in the car.

Returning to the IT/GIS market, GIS users generally have similar needs. Rarely does someone have unique know-how that creates a competitive advantage and must be embedded into the IT system. From my experience, these advantages usually come more from the organization and culture of the company rather than the tools themselves.

Just like cars are chosen, IT systems (including GIS) are selected in the same way. Users pick from available options based on features, brand, and references, adjusting their expectations to what the market offers. They choose from next-generation systems. GIS is only now entering this phase. More mature IT tools have already gone through this (who today orders a custom program for email, file management, or video conferencing?).

Is this happening in practice?

Of course. Most GIS system users I speak with (especially in public administration) have already gone through ordering and implementing a custom GIS/IT system. These experiences are often traumatic (another topic for a separate article…). Clients frequently emphasize that they want to use a system that already works, not one that is still being developed.

And this is exactly what makes Usemaps a next-generation GIS system. Cloud-based, integrating through open protocols, continuously developed by our team, and incredibly flexible. Watching the team design the data model, configure settings, and set up automations is extremely satisfying. And the users’ amazement when they see a fully functioning system just a few days after the first meeting is the cherry on top.

Want to see how it works? Or maybe you find it hard to believe that it’s really possible? Write to us, and we’ll create a personalized demo for you using your own data. Go ahead! 🙂