The Evolution of Data Automation, and its Importance to the Australian Spatial Data Infrastructure
Michael Dixon · 2010
The aim of this paper is to: − Provide a common understanding of what Data Automation is; − Discuss how PSMA Australia historically managed data, and how this impacted on business practices; − Examine how PSMA Australia has embraced Data Automation and has implemented two innovative systems to manage the data processing cycle; and − Review how the international spatial industry is addressing data management, and how Data Automation is influencing their business development. Within Australia, spatial data management has historically been manually driven and managed by systems that are not centralised. Whilst progress has been made, manual activity is still a major feature and prone to error when conditions are not typical. PSMA Australia has recognised that significant automation is possible within the data management supply chain and that many manual steps can be replaced with carefully orchestrated processes. LYNX has already been internationally recognised and with the addition of new cutting-edge systems to support data management, PSMA Australia is able to demonstrate a number of outcomes not previously possible, for example: - Decreases in processing time; - Increased confidence & transparency in outputs; - Reduction in the resource and maintenance costs for maintaining and developing datasets; - Increased flexibility to quickly adapt to changing conditions; and - Increased understanding and control of intellectual property; This paper will discuss how the importance of Data Automation has been recognised globally, and how international initiatives like INSPIRE are endeavouring to achieve what PSMA Australia already has, but for the European continent.