Stuttgart / Karlsruhe, April 16, 2015 – Geospatial 4.0 was the key word at the preview event for INTERGEO 2015 in Stuttgart. The members of the strong panel discussed trends and innovations in the geoinformation industry. They all agreed that the intelligent networking of sensors, data and services is defining the technological and strategic developments in the industry. The aim is for the added value chain to develop closely focussed on the customer. New collaborations with industry organisations are ensuring INTERGEO is clearly moving in the direction to applications and target groups, and there is even more focus on career issues in 2015.

The members of the panel discussion on INTERGEO 2015 in Stuttgart provided a little taste of the innovations and trends in the industry. Prof. Hansjörg Kutterer, Vice President of the host DVW (the German Association of Surveying – German Society for Geodesy, Geoinformation and Land Management e.V.), opened the discussion with an overview of a balanced and application-oriented conference programme. Current developments such as Smart Cities, capturing the environment in 3D, digital construction and mobility all the way to developments in autonomous driving are the focus of presentations at INTERGEO 2015. All of these issues are dependent on the networking of data and services so as to generate new processes in the spirit of “Geospatial 4.0”. Kutterer added that INTERGEO is the central platform for the DVW in highlighting policy issues. As an example, he pointed to the national geoinformation strategy, which will be developed further at INTERGEO.

Apps are the future of maps
Prof. Manfred Weisensee from the German Society for Cartography e.V., which is host for the 63th Cartographers’ Day at INTERGEO, leaves no room for doubt that INTERGEO will again see huge leaps forward in the visualisation of spatial information. Analogue maps are being replaced by cutting-edge methods of conveying information. The key elements Weisensee raised were the creation of “Maps in Apps” and the growing integration of augmented reality in cartography. The map of the future would not be available on paper, but in digital 3D or 4D on mobile devices, navigation systems or apps, Weisensee said.

Networking things optimises processes
For the exhibitors, Prof. Gerd Buziek (ESRI Deutschland Group GmbH), Alexander Georg (LEICA Geosystems GmbH) and Jörg Amend (Trimble GmbH), representatives of the INTERGEO Advisory Board, outlined the strategic development of the industry. All three of these market leaders see the trend as being towards networking systems to optimise processes. Equally important are the internationality of the event and the focus on vertical markets. In this situation, INTERGEO acts as the leading dialogue platform for knowledge and technology transfer.

“Geoinformation is no longer an end in itself, but rather a day-to-day means of completing tasks in a more sustainable and targeted way,” says Buziek, adding that concentrating and networking systems plays a crucial role in providing geoinformation to users, for whom Esri offers very specific solutions. “We see ourselves as a creative force in the IT sector,” he says. Together with its partner network, Esri is showcasing applications in the fields of open data, urban modelling and sensor integration at INTERGEO 2015.

For Leica, the focus is on the recording and fast processing of data. “We provide solutions that make the display an experience for the user – whether it is in 2D or 3D,” said Alexander Georg. At this year’s INTERGEO, Leica is showcasing applications from the fields of monitoring, mapping, airborne, terrestrial laser scanning and software solutions.

As Jörg Amend explains, the path Trimble is taking leads to success through the use of efficient data management. “The focus is more on following the data than creating hardware or software.” He describes the optimisation of processes in the provision of customer-specific data for vertical markets. Trimble is not only using INTERGEO to showcase complete solutions for visitors; it also sees the fair as an opportunity to attract qualified young talent.

The Advisory Board is unanimous that, overall, the key areas of focus at INTERGEO 2015 are integration, networking and convenient provision of data to new user groups, too. One key goal is for future decisions to be made now using the safest possible data basis. Under the Geospatial 4.0 heading, exhibitors in coming years will find new ways of using intelligent networking and interlinking to handle new issues.

With cooperation to new user groups
As a representative of HINTE GmbH, the organiser of the trade fair, Olaf Freier clearly positions INTERGEO as the world’s leading platform for geodesy, geoinformation and land management. “We are following on seamlessly from the successful event in Berlin and are constantly developing the INTERGEO to provide a firm platform for technology and software and their possible applications,” says Freier, adding that INTERGEO is particularly strong in applications this year. As an example of this year’s innovations, he presented the partnership with VDBUM (Verband der Baubranche, Umwelt- und Maschinentechnik e.V. – the Association of the Construction Industry, Environmental Technology and Mechanical Engineering) and the German-speaking Unmanned Aircraft Vehicle Association UAV DACH e.V. This cooperation in the field of telematics and unmanned aircraft reflects the dynamic development of the industry into more and more markets. Wolfgang Lübberding from VDBUM and Bernhard Freiherr von Bothmer from UAV DACH stressed that they saw many possibilities for linking their associations to INTERGEO and are expecting strong stimulus. With over 70 companies, INTERGEO is already the largest B2B trade fair in the unmanned aircraft sector in the German-speaking region.

Another key development Freier mentioned was the expansion of the career and young talent area. With a career tour starting in June, INTERGEO will be promoting exciting opportunites in the geoinformation industry at nine university sites.

About INTERGEO
INTERGEO is the world’s leading trade fair for geodesy, geoinformation and land management, held annually at different locations. More than 17,000 visitors from 90 countries came to the previous communication platform to find out about the innovations in the industry from 516 companies from 30 countries. INTERGEO is held annually in different locations, this year from 15 to 17 September in Stuttgart.

Pictures from the preview will be available on the PRESS/MEDIA-Site at www.intergeo.de.
The new event trailer, which was premiered at the preview, statements and videos will be available there soon.