Geomatics is the discipline of gathering, storing, processing and delivering geographic information. Geomatics technologies have become part of everyday life. For instance, over 300 million people around the world use the Global Positioning System (GPS). Its uses include orienting research vessels that hunt for shipwrecks, locating mobile telephone users, and guiding ships, aircraft and pedestrians. The world market for geomatics is estimated to grow from 6% to 30% a year, depending on the sector of activity.

The Geomatics for Informed Decisions Network (GEOIDE) is working to consolidate and strengthen Canada's geomatics industry. The Network brings together the broader geomatics community to pool its knowledge and creating partnerships that support research.

The Network is identifying new areas in which geomatics can be an effective enabling technology, such as the medical and social sciences, and pursuing research in these areas. It is training a new generation of scientists who can support the current market expansion with new-technology qualifications.

Every year, GEOIDE hosts a summer school for students and geomatics professionals. The event is a week-long opportunity for networking at a national and international level in an environment where participants can share their views, develop ideas and initiate collaborations. The school provides specialized and complementary training in various geomatics applications, making students aware of the tremendous opportunities in the field.

Technology is changing the equipment used in traditional geomatics applications. Network researchers at University of Calgary developed alternative methods of calibrating digital cameras for mapping and created standards for investigating the stability of medium-format digital cameras. The result is filling a gap in the mapping industry. Terrapoint Canada, an industrial partner that funded part of the research, gained vital knowledge that allowed it to use its cameras more effectively in operations and production. British Columbia's Base Mapping and Geomatic Services (BMGS) adopted the methods and standards, leading to draft specifications for using medium-format digital cameras in mapping applications in the province. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) initiated another project with Network researchers to develop similar guidelines for the U.S. market. The joint work between the researchers, the BMGS and the USGS is expected to lead to a North American standard for regulating the use of medium-format digital cameras in mapping applications.

As the experience, talent and innovative ideas of its members bear fruit, GEOIDE supports the transfer of knowledge and technology so organizations and society can benefit from its ideas and creations.

Although new generations of navigational satellites (the U.S.'s GPS II/III and the European Union's Galileo) have been launched, the full capabilities of each are not well understood. By using both systems concurrently, GEOIDE's research team (from four universities) decreased their vulnerability, improved the availability, accuracy and reliability of both systems and increased the number of uses they may have. A patent application has been filed and discussions are under way to transfer the technology they developed to industry. University of Calgary's commercialization office is licensing inventions stemming from this research to a number of companies. The international recognition and grants received from industry for this project have benefited many students, including Seema Phalke, who is now working at NovAtel Inc. in Calgary. The team attributes much of its success to networking, collaboration and partnerships with several industrial and academic groups in the U.S., Canada and Europe.

In 2006-07, GEOIDE awarded a mentor grant to two students. The grant covers travel and living expenses for students to work with their mentors. Mentors offer valuable experiences and network opportunities; students offer fresh ideas and approaches. Pairing the two creates a win-win situation and is one more way in which GEOIDE is securing Canada's excellence in geomatics.

Geomatics for Informed Decisions Network - GEOIDE (1999-2012)
Focus:	To consolidate and strengthen the domestic geomatics industry while making optimum use of R&D resources, and to create a sustainable network that integrates all sectors of the geomatics community.
Funding:	$45.42 million for entire funding period
Strength:	165 researchers and 452 Highly Qualified Personnel
Partnership Power:	301 industry, public service and academic partners
Scientific Director:	Dr. Nicholas Chrisman
Web site:	www.geoide.ulaval.ca