The rise in popularity and widespread use of mobile technologies, such as those in smartphones and tablet computers, presents new opportunities for businesses to develop additional streams of revenue. This is evident, for instance, with the adoption of geographic information systems (GIS) in the consumer sector; just think how Google Maps is one popular solution allowing users to plan routes and find addresses – and perhaps buy products and services advertised along the way.

Pioneering Big Data

Some indicators suggest that GIS helps to accelerate the discovery of big data. It’s now entirely possible, for example, to monitor and acquire huge amounts of information about products or services across all kinds of territories and regions, particularly when GIS tools are incorporated into social media and other services.

In addition, microblogging service Twitter sells its users’ Tweets (trillions of them), using firms such as Gnip and DataSift for commercial interests, which provides reliable geographic information that will further help firms to analyse data trends and profit from them.

Conclusion

Where the consumer is and what they want, even before they might know it themselves, is now fast becoming the goal of commercial Big Data. GIS is helping to provide the platform for location services and predictions so that companies can increase their sales and grow.