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Open Geospatial Consortium, Inc.
(OGC) announced that Microsoft Corporation has joined the consortium as a Principal Member. Government agencies worldwide
are realizing the power of geospatial applications to meet their missions in ways that are unprecedented - from public
safety applications to famine and hunger relief.
According to David Schell, Chairman and CEO of OGC, "Microsoft’s support of OGC’s standards process signifies the further
maturation of world markets for products and services which require geospatial capabilities. We believe that Microsoft’s
participation in the consortium is positioned to make a major contribution to furthering the adoption of geospatial
interoperability in key industry and government sectors. This will strengthen OGC’s role in shaping the policies and best
practices needed to grow and support development of effective spatial data infrastucture worldwide.
As dependency on geospatial information resources for dealing with such global issues as
climate change and disaster
preparedness continually increases, it is of the greatest importance that the work of the consortium be supported by the
deep infrastructure and information resources which Microsoft represents."
Through its involvement with OGC, Microsoft is able to ensure the geospatial interoperability of its technology, including
its flagship geospatial offerings - the
Microsoft Virtual Earth platform
- and Microsoft SQL Server 2008, which is
scheduled to ship in the second quarter of calendar year 2008. Microsoft will submit the SQL Server
2008 geometry datatype for compliance to the Open GIS® Simple Features for SQL standard, a significant move towards
ensuring that geospatial data can be seamlessly layered upon and integrated within SQL Server 2008.
By making its products
OpenGIS compatible Microsoft will support both developers and users who wish to work with the most extensive assortment of
the world’s geospatial data resources currently available.
"From XML to geospatial standards, we believe in the benefits of driving cross-industry standards that contribute to both
stronger interoperability and business productivity for all," said Erik Jorgensen, general manager of Virtual Earth and
Live Search Maps at Microsoft Corp. "Microsoft has long demonstrated both its commitment and leadership in this space and
is excited to continue its contribution to the geospatial industry through OGC."
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