Why is SaaS important to me?

Software as a service, also referred to as cloud computing, will be the most important manner to purchase software in the future. Gone will be the days when enterprise solutions require teams of technologists to implement and maintain software for their organization.

To understand where this technology is already affecting our lives, it is as simple as understanding how you utilize Google's or Yahoo's email. Google has even gone forward with their Docs software which allows a user to never need to purchase office software again.

One mind-blowing trend of ease and functionality is http://www.zoho.com/. They have a SaaS application called Creator that is a simple drag and drop developer application to provide input and storage on your website. And its free! It allows you to view the data in spreadsheet format and also edit. I am particularly interested because the technology of the past required servers, server software, deep programming, domain name, etc ... hours to create one input box. Now, you can have it in less than one minute. I used this service to create a web Work Request System for my HOA.

Future Technologies

I have decided to add more technology speak to this blog. As I account for more research in understanding today's trends, I notice more and more the future of technology. I have in particular noticed the importance of these technologies in our future:

• user generated content (UGC)
• software as a service (SaaS)
• mash-up
• social networking or social communities
• virtual world
• search engine optimization (SEO)
• analytics (BI)
• location (GIS)

These technologies are inherently disparate, but because of mash-ups they are becoming more integrated and the demand to put their functionality together is great. In the future I will blog about the importance of each one. It is inherently important for companies to make money to include these technologies in their products.

GIS is not…

Perhaps a simplistic method to create an explanation of GIS is to first understand what it is not. For instance:

GIS is NOT a map. A map is a 2D or 3D representation of an area on paper or computer. It is a visual report. Calling GIS a map would be equivalent to calling a pie graph “statistics.” A map is a report that displays information that is produced by any graphic editor, be it some type of technology, cartography, or simply hand-drawn on a bar napkin. I don’t know how many times I have heard the term “GIS map.” I know what the person is referring to (a map that comes from a GIS technology), but that term is being used incorrectly.

GIS is NOT data. Data is facts that can provide descriptive attributes. Those descriptors can be text, images, or again, information written on a bar napkin. Data is usually stored digitally on a computer within a database. A GIS uses data to create analysis. Graphic editors or a cartographer can use data to create a map. I have heard the term “GIS data” often as well. Again, what the person is generally referring to is graphic or pictorial data that is compiled with graphic software to create a map or some type of visual display. However, GIS relies on text data as much as pictorial data.

GIS is NOT GPS (global positioning system). GPS is a device that receives satellite information to use as a location identifier on the earth. This information is best displayed to the common user on a map.

GIS is NOT a single software company. GIS technology has been created by various companies worldwide. They each have a specialization in certain types of analysis. If a company proclaims they have a specialization in maps, then they are a graphic editing company, or should call themselves cartographic (from cartography – the production of maps - http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/cartography ).

GIS is NOT a satellite image. A view of the world from above, sometimes referred as “birds eye view” can be created by satellite or airplane snapshots and processed into images. These are also referred as “aerial images” or “orthophotography.” This is just another form of data that displays “real life” (not drawn) pictures on a map.