Managing data for internal and public use
It was the military and large corporations such as oil and mineral exploration companies that first saw the value in imagery. This launched a new industry bent on acquiring the most accurate, highest resolution imagery with newer satellites, aerial sensors, photogrammetric equipment and specialized software, to help interpret the images.
Availability of imagery is no longer the problem—accessibility is. The flood of imagery data is overwhelming. In response, users have shifted their work habits to include tools that help them get their jobs done easier and faster. Because of the size of imagery, most users are demanding access to the data over the web or from a cloud in near real-time, but they don’t want to be forced to download it. They are using technology, like image services, that let them work with data from their desktop, browsers and smartphones.
Managing the data becomes another concern. When the volumes of data grow into the terabyte range, it becomes tricky to manage and provide fast access. Storage and network bandwidth become an issue. Experts in this field are looking towards cloud solutions to help them manage large volumes of imagery, and technologies that enable them to disseminate large quantities of data to anyone who needs it in a timely manner.
Imagery is no longer a black box mystery; it is now used by everyone as a tool to help them understand the world around them. As we go forward, citizens and non-remote sensing experts are expecting they will be able to understand what their government, environmental scientists and news reporters are talking to them about because they will demand to see the proof, using imagery.
The amount of historical and current remotely sensed data is growing exponentially, and the only way to get ahead of the curve is to have the right tools that simplify everyday tasks while maximizing access.