Results of CSCW Supported Collaborative GIS Data Production: An Internet- based Solution

The principles and technologies of computer supported cooperative work (CSCW) are increasingly integrated in many areas to support distributed collaborative production, especially with the rapid growth of the Internet and broadband network technologies. To achieve the improved efficiency and productivity, group processes and interaction must be properly addressed and the design of supporting computer systems must be thoroughly studied. These usually vary from one area to another depending on the understanding of the surroundings of the needed computer system through modeling its business environments. However, the documented work indicates little evidence of applying such an integrated solution to the challenges found in management of GIS data production. This paper summarizes the results of research and development towards Internet-based support of collaborative GIS data production, and discusses key issues in applying CSCW technologies in distributed GIS data production environments. The results indicate that GIS, Internet, Groupware, and Data Warehousing principles can be effectively brought together and applied to provide better solutions to real-world challenges associated with project management and quality control. The results also show that the integrated solutions can be used to effectively facilitate collaborative GIS data production processes in a distributed work environment if a “sound” collaboration model of the work environments is in place.