Welcome to OGC User

Welcome to the first issue of OGC User. This new quarterly publication is intended to illustrate the value of OpenGIS® specifications in action in the global user community. I believe that the sharing of our collective experiences in application of interoperable solutions at the community level is important. Community examples connect us with the innovative ways that users are drawing on standards-based solutions to apply new technologies quickly, to reduce integration costs, and to expand the systems and enterprise solutions flexibly. These examples form the basic elements of a Return on Investment (ROI) model that others can use to better understand and apply interoperability to advantage. OGC User will also provide you with information on availability of products that use OpenGIS specifications.

We are working with communities around the world to provide you with a valuable cross section of community applications of solutions based on OpenGIS. We are also working to provide you with a diversity of stories featuring product implementations from our industry and academic members.

Finally, OGC User is dedicated to the application of interoperability in the community. OGC User compliments our OGC News, which focuses on the activities of OGC members in the rapid development, testing adoption of specifications to address new areas of need for interoperability. I encourage you to provide us with feedback regarding the value of this publication. And, I ask you to tell us about implementations of OpenGIS based solutions that you find worthy of recognition.

Mark Reichardt
Executive Director, Outreach and Community Adoption