Learon Dalby Provides "An Insider's Take"

The latest edition of Fugro EarthData's Perspectives newsletter includes an interview with NSGIC President Learon Dalby "on the relationship between technology and GIS user needs within state government."

The interview covers a range of topics related to how changing technology, and the expanding use of new technologies in the workforce, affects GIS coordination in the states. It looks at the relationship between states and the private sector, discusses data access policies, new challenges brought by changes in technology, common misconceptions about GIS coordination, and future directions for data coordination.

Mr. Dalby discusses new challenges and opportunities related to technological change, but reminds us that the fundamentals of GIS coordination remain constant:

The technology comes and goes with the seasons. But no technology can replace the hard part; creating and maintaining trust with partners. That includes service providers, decision-makers…anyone involved in the process. The real success ingredient of our state GIS coordination business is building relationships.

The Fall 2008 Edition of Perspectives also includes articles on Land Use/Land Cover data, a new, NGA funded geospatial research and internship partnership, and other news and events listings.