® Global Advisory Council (GAC) Business Processes; Requirements to Adjust for Local and Regional Practices Trevor Taylor, Director, Business Development, PCI Program Manager, GAC © 2010 Open Geospatial Consortium © 2010 Open Geospatial Consortium

OGC ® Business practices and OGC standards OGC standards are often perceived as: –Too complex and complicated –Outdated or too ‘heavyweight’ –Costly to implement and maintain (with results not meeting operational or performance expectations) –Difficult to measure in terms of Return on Investment (ROI) Making location count. © 2010 Open Geospatial Consortium Background

OGC ® Business practices and OGC standards In many countries, government and private sector agencies have little experience, knowledge or interoperability interest because of misperception. There is little or no incentive to change their existing modes of operation. Officials are indifferent until a specific need arises. There is a need to demonstrate the benefits and issue based results before there will be a cultural shift. Making location count. © 2010 Open Geospatial Consortium Issues

OGC ® Business practices and OGC standards Many countries are only now beginning to “open their books” to the public as a result of legislation. Still reticent (or unable) to put products and/or services in public domain for scrutiny, assessment, evaluation or use. Until that happens it will be “business as usual”. Making location count. © 2010 Open Geospatial Consortium Current status

OGC ® Business practices and OGC standards There are often monopolistic market conditions in countries dominated by one single GIS reseller Surveys highlighted that this can lead to being “locked in” to a single vendor relationship for those who disburse government funds Also part of “business as usual” There is no strong motivation to promote open standards in this environment. Making location count. © 2010 Open Geospatial Consortium Issues

OGC ® Business practices and OGC standards Any strategy for building spatial infrastructure must include 'accountability' at all levels of implementation and with stakeholder communities. The more experienced the people the more they pledge for open specifications that allow for further developments. The GAC can increase international exchanges about these issues and encourage more companies and people to participate in standards. Making location count. © 2010 Open Geospatial Consortium Considerations

OGC ® Business practices and OGC standards Institutions and private sector compete with each other, sometimes to the detriment of delivering their own objectives. Commonly involves competing for new or additional resources from the Government or elsewhere. In some cases, the institutions have “saleable” capabilities and are allowed to “contract out” their services and retain all/part of revenue generated. In these cases, there is no incentive to devote resources to initiatives for the common good, which means no direct or short-term ROI. Making location count. © 2010 Open Geospatial Consortium Considerations

OGC ® Business practices and OGC standards Through the GAC there is an opportunity to better understand regional business practices. Marketing and communications activities, such as outreach and strategy should note these practices. The business case for using open standards must be refined according to such business practices. Making location count. © 2010 Open Geospatial Consortium Suggestion

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