October 17, 2007. Wayland, MA. The OGC® Technical Committee's Spatial Data Quality Working Group (WG) has been gathering information and requirements from OGC members for the past year and has now begun primary research on spatial data quality measures. Their survey on spatial data quality went live on Monday, October 15, targeting thousands of geospatial data suppliers and users from around the world.
The group seeks to develop an interoperable framework or model for OGC Quality Assurance Web Services that will enable improved access and sharing of high quality geospatial information. To achieve this goal it is necessary to learn what organizations mean when using the term "spatial data quality". The working group hopes this survey will provide a solid foundation for developing relevant terms of measure and a powerful spatial data quality model.
Graham Stickler of 1Spatial, chair of the Working Group, commented, "From the very beginning we recognized that the various participants in the geospatial data supply chain may have different requirements when it comes to data quality. We encourage all geospatial users to participate in this survey and build momentum in this increasingly important area of the geospatial industry."
"We are very excited about the potential for this survey," stated Blue Marble President Patrick Cunningham, the Working Group's vice-chair. "Between the OGC membership, Blue Marble and 1Spatial customers and other geospatial users we feel that we have a good chance of gathering some very useful data."
The survey is available at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=_2ffWZCQbm2ugKS_2fW8A0MWIQ_3d_3d. Results will remain anonymous, and personal information will not be shared with any third party.
The OGC® is an international industry consortium of more than 350 companies, government agencies, research organizations, and universities participating in a consensus process to develop publicly available interface specifications. OpenGIS® Specifications support interoperable solutions that "geo-enable" the Web, wireless and location-based services, and mainstream IT. The specifications empower technology developers to make complex spatial information and services accessible and useful with all kinds of applications. Visit the OGC website at http://www.opengeospatial.org.”