3. India needs to make map and other geographical data freely available for mashups.
Location is one of the most important elements of data analytics. Given India’s size and diversity, what is needed is the ability to layer information on maps and then do comparisons. Mapping technologies have advanced a lot through the years, and we need to make this central to everything we do. GIS (geographical information systems) needs to be used at every level of decision-making.
One of the most interesting presentations was by esri about the use of maps and how multi-layered geographical data can be used for historical comparisons and decision-making. We need to start thinking of GIS as core to all data.
All data needs to be geo-tagged, so it can be set in context. Given India’s hierarchical organisation (for example, villages, blocks, districts), putting all data in a geospatial context will become critical for early detection of patterns.
Continued on Monday.
