Traditionally the spatial information sector has been very good at collecting geodata and processing it. The number and types of different sensors has grown from digitization to aerial imagery and now includes integrated sensors that are able to collect both raster and vector data together. Spectacular growth in both quantity and quality of data is occurring and this is enabling a greater understanding of a wide variety of features and phenomena.

As this growth continues, vast amounts of geodata are now helping users to piece together decision support systems that act in an automated fashion. Some of these extend the functionality of geographic information systems (GIS) but they can also be seen in technologies involving GNSS where pre-planning for field visitation and data collection now includes include 3D possibilities, for example, knowing when and where to visit certain city centers based upon building heights.

Already we are witnessing the use and application of decision support systems connecting computer-aided design (CAD) and energy management. These applications monitor building performance and HVAC systems to provide comfortable environments at reduced costs.

In other parts of the world there are discussions and work that include environmental matters and topics. These new systems seek to evaluate environments based upon monitored geodata from a wide variety of sources, then to evaluate them before arriving at a final decision - many of them relate to governance and are designed to take conflict out of the equation surrounding environmental systems.

The future growth in this area is likely to be large as new sensors, hardware and software, data applications and possibilities give rise to alternative opportunities and potentials for existing spaces and land administrative units.