Wayland, MA, USA, October 5, 2001 – The Open GIS Consortium, Inc. (OGC) and the Geospatial Information & Technology Association (GITA), Aurora, Colorado, have signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at working together to accomplish common objectives. In particular the two organizations commit to work together to create a program of jointly supported educational and market development activities designed to benefit the members of both organizations and the geospatial community as a whole.Some of the possible activities discussed include keeping the respective boards of directors up-to-date on technology and client needs, outreach to local government and public works sectors for education about interoperability, participation at conferences and meetings held by each group, and the development of user scenarios to highlight how interoperability can aid GITA members and how GITA members can provide key input to OGC processes.GITA Executive Director Bob Samborski comments, “GITA members are on the cutting edge of technology spanning many uses of geospatial technology. Through this agreement GITA will be in a better position to help our community of utility and other infrastructure-based organizations understand and take full advantage of the benefits of interoperability.”OGC President David Schell said, ” This partnership provides a superb opportunity for GITA and OGC to enhance our ability to meet the expanding needs of a growing community of spatial information users. OGC's process for introducing interoperability into the market depends on close communication with both the technology development and user communities. GITA's conferences, seminars, and publications provide excellent opportunities for expanded dialog, education and outreach.”OGC is an international industry consortium of over 220 companies, government agencies and universities participating in a consensus process to develop publicly available geoprocessing specifications. OpenGIS® Specifications support interoperable solutions that “geo-enable” the Web and mainstream IT, and empower technology developers to make complex spatial information and services accessible and useful with all kinds of applications. Visit the OGC website at www.opengeospatial.org .The mission of the Geospatial Information & Technology Association is to provide excellence in education and information exchange on the use and benefits of geospatial information and technology in telecommunications, infrastructure, and utility applications worldwide. Visit GITA at www.gita.org .– end –“
OGC and GITA to Join Forces on Geospatial Interoperability
Wayland, MA, USA, October 5, 2001 – The Open GIS Consortium, Inc. (OGC) and the Geospatial Information & Technology Association (GITA), Aurora, Colorado, have signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at working together to accomplish common objectives.GITA Executive Director Bob Samborski comments, GITA members are on the cutting edge of technology spanning many uses of geospatial technology.OGC President David Schell said, This partnership provides a superb opportunity for GITA and OGC to enhance our ability to meet the expanding needs of a growing community of spatial information users.OGCs process for introducing interoperability into the market depends on close communication with both the technology development and user communities.The mission of the Geospatial Information & Technology Association is to provide excellence in education and information exchange on the use and benefits of geospatial information and technology in telecommunications, infrastructure, and utility applications worldwide.
