The Geomatics Cluster
As part of the cluster process, late in 2001, working groups consisting of key leaders in the geomatics cluster came together to work on shared challenges. These were challenges that no group or company could tackle on their own. They needed the strength and collaboration of working on teams that involved other components of the cluster.
To overcome their challenges they decided to develop shared solutions. Those shared solutions are called Action Initiatives and the action initiatives for geomatics are listed below.
The Calgary Geomatics Collaborative Initiative
Develop a public relations campaign for Geomatics
Hold events/workshops to foster collaboration by Geomatics firms
Establish a Geomatics cluster network
Expand SAIT Geomatics Centre
For more information about the Geomatics Action Initiatives
Background information
Geomatics is an important emerging cluster. Geomatics focuses on technology products used to generate, track, and display data on the "environment" for decision-making. This cluster was spawned primarily by the region's oil and gas industry.
Cluster inclusions
In Calgary, there is a growing presence of several segments:
- Global Positioning Systems (GPS),
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and
- Remote Sensing.
It is expected that new market segments will grow as geomatics begins to serve and create products for other clusters in the region.
Global outlook
As geomatics is an emerging and "new" cluster, there is very little data available. Therefore, traditional industry benchmarking is not feasible at this time. However, there is evidence of clustering of this industry: many companies, solid growth, and innovation feeding growth.
The geomatics industry, both in Calgary as well as in Canada in general, is characterised by small firms with fewer than 20 employees. One of the larger companies in the Calgary region is QC Data employing 110 people with growing applications in telecom, utilities, and health infomatics. Novatel is a GPS firm supplying navigational equipment for aircraft, with 45 per cent of their product exported to the U.S.
The outlook for growth of geomatics is excellent. The Alberta market is strong with growing demand for geospatial information in many markets, including telecom, infrastructure, defence, health care, business geographics, and emergency preparedness. Local and provincial governments are also increasingly important clients for geomatics products and services. Given the strong growth of transportation and logistics in Calgary and the nature of this industry, the local geomatics industry could grow this market substantially.
Challenges
The outlook for this cluster is very healthy. The strong R&D and the talent being produced in the region are fueling the competitiveness of this cluster and will continue to do so.
There are several obstacles that the cluster must address.
- One important issue has been access to public data in Canada the cost of which has been prohibitive to many small and medium enterprises. U.S. companies have a comparative advantage due to easier access to data. The good news however is that there are national efforts underway to correct disadvantages in public data access.
- There is also a need to foster more technological innovation and to increase the level of collaboration among firms and foundations in the cluster.
On the positive side, there are low barriers to entry in this industry and the industry itself is maturing rendering GIS technology more accessible to the business users. Perhaps, more importantly, the geomatics technology can support every cluster and thus the potential for new markets is virtually limitless.
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