A GIS Jumpstart is like trying to fly without a parachute

Have you ever come across an GIS Jumpstart? Sounds quick, easy and cheap. Right?

Generally that’s the point. Some quick guidance and you are on your own. So let me ask this. Have you ever watched people with home made planes jumping off piers? Watch below:

No parachute but a nice soft landing! To my mind this is an GIS Jumpstart. Why?

ArcGIS Online has made GIS more affordable that is true. Has it made GIS simpler. Certain tasks yes. Using our GIS Solutions Pyramid, the lower 2 tiers: basic map publishing and build a map have been simplified.

Simpler yes. Easy. No.

Thinking spatially and applying geospatial technologies like GIS takes training and expertise. Rather like flying.

We’ve provided many GIS Jumpstarts, with mixed results. See the case studies in our blog post 4 GIS Hits and Misses (and what we learned). What indeed have we learned from these engagements? Clients looking to use GIS need a runway built. Data preparation, data management, flexible applications : a path from problem to solution. Your ‘where’ questions are likely many and varied. GIS is the perfect technology to answer all these questions. Definitely look for help when you step into the technology. But make sure that help is focused on a runway and not a short, wet landing!

Download a free copy of our white paper ‘Getting Maximum ROI from ArcGIS’, which provides a road map for moving forward with ArcGIS and intelligent maps.