Geo informatics is a science which develops and uses information science infrastructure to address the problems of geosciences and related branches of engineering. Geo informatics combines geospatial analysis and modeling, development of geospatial databases, information systems design, human-computer interaction and both wired and wireless networking technologies.
Geo informatics is a multi billion industry with a wide range of applications in almost all walks of life. Extensively used in the developed countries, it is still in nascent stage in this part of the globe. With every passing day, Geo informatics is finding a growing market through wide ranging applications in diverse fields in the corporate sector.
Geo-Informatics has become the spatial hub of the IT industry. It is used as a tool to create maps, integrate information, visualize scenarios, and solve complicated problems, present ideas and develop effective solutions. Geo informatics technology is more relevant where decisions are to be taken on issues like natural resources assessment, surveying, monitoring, and most importantly protection of natural environment that include disaster management and mitigation.
Geo informatics has become an important requirement of information society and for civic amenities. Many fields benefit from geo informatics, including the development of in-car navigation systems, automatic vehicle location systems, transportation planning and engineering, environmental modeling and analysis, urban planning, telecommunications, agriculture and public health.
At present there is acute shortage of skilled human resources in this industry. In the near future, there would be tremendous scope for employment in this field with accelerated growth and development prospects.
At present India is a leading country in Geo-spatial technology with a prominent niche in Space Science developed by ISRO and its sister organizations; National Remote Sensing Agency, Space Application Centers and the Regional Remote Sensing Centers.
One can choose to venture into software development as an alternate career or into entrepreneurship development, since India is the most preferred outsourcing destination for GIS related work.
Students after graduating in geo informatics can find opportunities including the development of in-car navigation systems, automatic vehicle location systems, transportation planning and engineering, environmental modeling and analysis, urban planning, telecommunications, agriculture and public health. The core to this technology is Web Map Services (WMS) which utilize Geographical Information Systems (G.I.S.) and spatially-enabled databases.
One can even venture into the field of remote sensing and geo informatics which has found its application use in the agriculture, forest, environment, land use, geology, water resources and disaster management.
The potential establishments absorbing them include ISRO, Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS), National Remote Sensing Agency (NRSA), Karnataka State Remote Sensing Applications Centre, Academic institutions and in Engineering Organizations as geo-information science consultants, project managers and operators.
These professionals are in good demand these days keeping in mind the growth of this industry. They derive a starting salary of between Rs. 12,000 to Rs. 15,000 per month. The consultants charge on an hourly basis between Rs. 150- Rs. 200. Entrepreneurs/self employed are the ones who make the most out of this career.
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