Mapping the Internet of Things

Today most everything that exists or moves on the planet (and above and below it) is measured in real time. Most of the sensor data streaming from this web is geo-referenced, meaning it can be consumed, organized, summarized, and analyzed by a GIS. It’s such a big idea, it has its own buzzword: the Internet of Things. 

The real-time GIS capabilities of the ArcGIS platform have transformed how information is utilized during any given situation. Real-time dashboards fed by the IOT provide actionable views into the daily operations of organizations, empowering decision-makers and stakeholders with the latest information they need to drive current and future ideas and strategies. Dashboards answer questions such as: What’s happening right now? Where is it happening? Who is affected? What assets are available? Where are my people?

Real-time GIS can be characterized as a continuous stream of events flowing from IoT sensors or data feeds. Each event represents the latest measured state, including position, temperature, concentration, pressure, voltage, water level, altitude, speed, distance, and directional information flowing from a sensor.

Maps provide the most basic frameworks for viewing, monitoring, and responding to real-time data feeds.

Real-time dashboards are created by adding “widgets” to an operation view. Operation views are easy to set up and configure. The map widget creates the primary map display and serves as the source of data for other widgets. You choose which data source or attribute value is displayed by the widget, specify the appearance settings, enter a description or explanatory text, and set any other properties required for the particular widget. 

Widgets are used to represent your real-time data in a visual way. For example, a symbol could represent the location of a feature on a map; a text description could be displayed in a list; and a numerical value could be shown as a bar chart, gauge, or indicator.

Each operational view is updated with the latest data by setting a refresh interval on both the widget and each layer.

Always looking for compelling and useful ways to engage with their local communities, many organizations are discovering that geography and maps are the perfect way to facilitate civic engagement and citizen science.

More than 350,000 organizations – and more than 3 million people – use Esri software to create the maps that run the world. When you start using Esri software, you join a thriving community of people and organizations who are excited to share the innovative and important work they are doing. 

GeoNet is where the Esri community—customers, partners, Esri staff, and others in the GIS and geospatial professional community—connect, collaborate, and share experiences. GeoNet is the central online destination where the Esri community gathers to exchange ideas, solve problems, accelerate success, and build relationships to create a better world through the use of geographic information technology. Visit   community.esri.com  . 

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