Aug 28, 2014 -- Geospatial technology is moving out of the backroom and into the frontline of everyday business operations, according to an international expert.

A Technical Evangelist for global Geographic Information System (GIS) giant Esri, Nate Bennett is at the cutting-edge of integrating the ArcGIS platform into the world’s most important enterprise systems such as Microsoft Office, SAP, Salesforce, and IBM Cognos.

Once the exclusive domain of trained geospatial professionals, Mr Bennett said developments in GIS technology were now making data analysis tools available to a wider pool of individuals across an enterprise.

Mr Bennett – who will present at the country’s largest spatial industry event, Ozri 2014, in October – said continuing integration between GIS and business intelligence (BI) systems provided analytical tools to increasingly tech savvy workforces.

“The consumerisation of IT has changed the way we work and live our lives to the point where everyone has two or three mobile devices,” Mr Bennett said from the Esri’s Redlands, California headquarters.

“The average person is much more tech savvy than ever before and now expect information to be provided to them in a more easily understandable and accessible way.

“By making easy-to-use analytical tools available to all staff across an entire enterprise, you give yourself the best opportunity to make significant changes to the way you do business

“I’m passionate about putting the power of GIS technology into the hands of every person working in an organisation so they can make better business decisions.”

Hosted by market leading GIS and location intelligence company Esri Australia, Ozri 2014 is an opportunity for industry leaders to gather, collaborate and share intelligent mapping innovations and spatial technology advancements.

The event will be held at the Adelaide Oval, South Australia, from 1 to 3 October 2014.

Ozri 2014 Technical Director John Hasthorpe said this year’s theme – ‘Pure GIS’ – reflected a focus on the achievements of the geospatial professionals who power the constantly evolving industry.

“Ozri 2014 will feature some of the world’s biggest industry names, who will share their insights on ‘where to next’ for GIS,” Mr Hasthorpe said.

“We’ll also celebrate Australian spatial industry ingenuity by exploring the amazing, inspirational and transformative innovations created by GIS professionals in this country.”

Registration for Ozri 2014 is now open at esriaustralia.com.au/ozri