Powering the 21st Century In his 2008 book The Big Switch: Rewiring the World, from Edison to Google, distribution of electrical power on manufacturing at the turn of the century to a similar transformation now taking place in the delivery of information. EDITORIAL Editor Monica Pratt Contributors Matthew DeMeritt Joseph Kerski Keith Mann Technical Advisors Paul Dodd Damian Spangrud Copy Editing Joyce Lawrence DESIGN Graphic Designer Tammy Johnson Photography Eric Laycock Print Coordinator Tim Polen ADVISORY BOARD Corporate Linda Hecht Corporate Alliances Steve Trammell Products Dave Scheirer International Dean Angelides Direct Marketing and Communications Robin Rowe Industries power generation was separated from its use and commoditized. Utility power plummeted while its availability skyrocketed. today that we don't even think about them. This happened because electricity was a special kind of technology and because utilities could to all kinds of things. It is the kind of technology now more commonly referred to as a platform. Widespread implementation of electric power was possible because generation happen. GIS is also a GPT that has found many uses. Although initially created as a and an array of industries. But it has been the economic benefits from "the leap of efficiency" inside these organizations caused by the streamlining processes and eliminating redundant data creation and maintenance that has driven the adoption of GIS. The other characteristic GIS shares with electricity is that it is amenable HOW TO REACH US ArcUser Online Web site (www.esri.com/arcuser additional resources. Your ArcUser Subscription www.esri.com/subscribe or which GIS will be the platform for delivering information for government and business. Advertise in ArcUser For information regarding placing an advertisement in ArcUser contact the advertising coordinator at Editorial Inquiries ArcUser Editor Monica Pratt ArcUser Editor editor's page ArcUser Fall 2009 ArcUser Online Web pages (www.esri.com/arcuser) to read the article submission guidelines and copyright policy. ArcUser ArcUser is written for users of Esri software. ArcUser is distributed free of charge to registered users of Esri software. www.esri.com