We seem to hear so often now: “We need GIS apps which are super simple to use” . Why?
A history of GIS App Complexity
I’m afraid its true. We’ve been building GIS apps which are too complex. Too many GIS apps need users to be trained before use.
GIS has a history of complex and confusing apps
In 2005 Google Maps introduced us to simplicity. True, their target audience were consumers, not the enterprise, but still the simplicity was a thing of beauty. GIS has been pushing out applications filled with (too many) tools. Tools which are complex to use. Applications which are not intuitive. Applications which need training.
New Non-GIS Users
We are in the midst of geospatial revolution, driven by cloud and mobile technology. The geo world is being turned on its head. Traditional GIS users are being joined by a new far wider user base: non-GIS users. That’s not just consumers, but private organizations recognizing their business intelligence (BI) software is only giving them part of the story. By your staff who are looking to location based technology to improve how they work, and improve their organizational insight to make better decisions.
