TORONTO – A new InfoDoc from IDC Canada, a premier technology analyst research firm, finds that Canadian organizations show gaps with location intelligence, which is the ability to draw meaningful insights from location-based data. The InfoDoc suggests that while many invest in location-based technologies, a change of mindset dependent on leadership is required to get the most value from these investments and advance their organization’s digital agenda.
“Winning with Location Intelligence” is based on a survey of 205 managers and executives from Canadian enterprises with more than 500 employees. The study was sponsored by Esri Canada.
Tony Olvet, group vice-president of research at IDC Canada, says, “Since most data is geospatial, it’s an advantage for organizations to get a clear plan in place for enhancing their location intelligence. This demands an innovative culture, a strong commitment to develop geospatial skills and an overall company strategy driven by executive leaders to succeed.”
The study shows that organizations with well-developed location intelligence abilities are effective at turning technical know-how into desired business outcomes. They take a holistic approach centered around strategy, organization, technology and data, culture and literacy. The study also identifies 14 essential practices for improving business outcomes using location intelligence and provides a proficiency model across these practices.
“Location intelligence is a source of competitive advantage. It brings improvements not only in productivity but also in achieving strategic objectives such as improved brand and services,” notes Olvet. “And the benefits are significant. Respondents with mature location intelligence cited improvements to key business performance metrics of more than 25% over the past two years.”
Lagging organizations emphasize technical and staffing challenges and demonstrating business value as barriers to adoption, while more mature organizations have largely resolved their technical issues and are challenged by cultural and change-related issues.
Matthew Lewin, director of management consulting for Esri Canada, says, “The key to location intelligence is recognizing it as an organizational ability. Adoption can’t be driven by the technology team alone. When leaders understand and apply the extensive capabilities of location intelligence themselves, others in their organization will follow, and this leads to effective business transformation.”
Download “Winning with Location Intelligence” at https://esri.ca/en/locationintelligence
About Esri Canada
Founded in 1984, Esri Canada provides geographic information system (GIS) solutions that empower people in business, government and education to make informed and timely decisions by leveraging the power of mapping and spatial analytics. These solutions enable organizations to better manage their resources, plan their future and collaborate within and beyond their organization. Esri Canada’s products and services help advance successful digital transformation. The company serves 12,000 organizations from 16 offices across Canada and is based in Toronto. In 2019, Esri Canada achieved Platinum Club status with the Canada’s Best Managed Companies program by retaining its Best Managed designation for seven consecutive years or more and in 2016 was named one of Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Cultures.
