Discovery requires skills combined with courage.
In 1919, mapping became serious business in our family.
Since 1919, accuracy in maps and in the underlying data that provides the content has been critical and essential to doing good business. Like our forefathers, we observe the standards and rules that support this. This practice has continued through time. Precise maps have always been highly important.
Modern technology was not a part of the picture back in the day, but high precision mathematics and geometry were, and continue to be the foundations and the keys to mapping accuracy. Understanding of the facts about the mapped locations as well, has always been of utmost importance. It was the “metadata” back in the day.
The basics of geodesy and cartography were essentials to understand in order to make accurate and precise maps, as well as to understand them. This was of huge importance, especially, starting with my grandfather’s experience in World War I as a navigator on flight missions for delivering mail and essential supplies to troops in Europe. He carried his knowledge learned in the military over into his early years as an explorationist doing field work in mining and petroleum. Knowledge build on build has always been important to us – as well as the lessons learned.
In the 1940’s, my Dad used maps every day in his work in the oil patch – first on a seismic crew, then in mud logging, then as a field scout, and later as a landman. Progressive hands-on build on build learning and applying the lessons.
It has always been about displaying accurate key information where the common key is place.
“Along with well and formation information, the scout checks to get an accurate report on where each well is spotted. The scout also visits county-courthouses as well as interesting wells. Landmen and geologists are then given the scouts’ data.” a quote from E.O. West, Jr. in the Abilene Reporter News – October 1953
Thorough information created location intelligence. They depended on continuously updated maps and information about what was on those maps to do their work in the field – to gain the best and timely information and pass along to others who were making decisions.
Our family of professionals have taught us many lessons. What stands out?
It is about professional practices…
Since the time when the family began making maps, a lot has changed. Technology has introduced a new world of opportunities for the mapping practitioners across the world. Specialized designations for mappers have come about to certify the competency of people who map for a living. The mash-up of technology with older practices has introduced challenges as well as creative options for using maps as a foundation for information visualization where place is added to enhance the dimensions of understanding. What we continue to do is to underscore quality.
We focus on dimensional aspects of delivering top quality work. Dimensions are the crux of geospatial data – the where and what, the size – depth and breadth – time dimensions – scale – space – sequence – understanding all of these dimensions translates to a better understanding of about any situation – the more you know about it, the better – from a birds-eye view, timeline, digging deeper or drilling down – maps and integrated visualizations can help people understand their circumstances better.
Making decisions based on reliable, valid data, regardless of type, is the goal for most organizations today. Data is a big headliner in technology news. We can help people improve the quality and the dimensions of their data and increase the value of their assets.
We have built our capabilities through experience in all sorts of projects related to data and technology – including upgrade projects, re-modeling projects, and new technology implementations.
We have helped our customers understand how to improve and how to repair the issues that years-long implementations can introduce as they age.
We want to share with our customers how integrating a GIS (geographic information system) into an organization’s technology portfolio can open up the capability of using every dimension of data. A geospatial information system can lend tremendous value if implemented properly, and used regularly, as an integral part of work routines.
It is also about content quality and the value of the data that describes every place on the map…
Conservatively speaking, in over 85% of data held by most organizations, location is a component.
We can help you build your data handling practices ensuring that you are using the best quality data possible – and keep this going.
Location is a key factor, today, in most work performed to achieve organizational missions and goals. Whether it is business development, customer engagement, service provision, logistics, health and safety, construction, monitoring assets, or understanding situational awareness… there are countless business activities where location is a component of how people get work completed and done well.
The location dimension grows more important every day. Use of location impacts outcomes which in turn can lend an extremely powerful advantage to work efforts and their outcomes – positive or negative.
Just like our family members discovered, in exploring and defining new territory, it rarely is an easy journey, but more times than not, the journey is one well worth taking.
The use of geospatial technology may be a journey into a new territory for some. We can help make the experience be less risky and one well worth undertaking.
These lessons learned simply translate into ways to work better with better results.
Who doesn’t want to do that?
