Architecture, Engineering, and Related Services [NAICS 5413]

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As stated above, many companies who previously employed these small firms have developed their own, in-house competencies for the same service. This is detrimental for two reasons. First, it puts independent firms in direct competition with their would-be customers. Second, the companies that are developing these in-house capabilities have a great deal more capital to invest in new technologies, making smaller firms increasingly less relevant as technology continues to improve (IBISWorld, 2012) Technology disruptors have had an enormous impact on geophysical services in the last 20 years, especially after the proliferation of 3-D seismic surveying technology (ACSM, 2012). Data capturing technologies continue to get more accurate, efficient, and abundant, and many firms find difficulty in staying abreast of hardware and software changes. This is an area of financial stress, as stated above, and it is likely that with the expansion of cloud computing and transmitting sensor technology, these changes will only accelerate. Cloud computing will be central to this industry because many of the data collection methodologies require that data from multiple, distributed sources be aggregated into a central repository that can be manipulated by the client in real time. Many companies are already positioning themselves in the cloud-based GIS data market, a trend that will continue to grow. One high-profile example of this is the solution created by ESRI, a company that specializes in GIS services, which created a GIS solution for understanding clean-up efforts after the BP oil spill (http://www.gulfofmexicoresponsemap.com/dwhi/). This is one of many examples that leverage the flexible, scalable, accessible properties of cloud computing for geophysical data. Data management is a core competency of every successful geophysical services firm, as they are in the business of collecting and processing data. The emerging data management and integration solutions are already drawing the line between firms that are relevant and firms that are not, and it is likely that we will continue to see a shift in revenue in favor of firms that can develop innovative enterprise data solutions designed specifically for geographic information. While the physical collection of geospatial data is still very important and requires in-depth experience and training, the importance of solutions to manage the data will become inextricable from firm successes (Sumner, 2012). In the future, it is likely that firms that are able to leverage information technology solutions to make geospatial data more useful to customers are the firms that will sustain success. In a technologyenabled, volatile industry, information system innovation becomes an essential part of sustaining competitive advantage, and it is our prediction that this will be the case in the next 10 years for the geophysical surveying and mapping community. REFERENCES ACSM (American Congress on Surveying and Mapping). 2012. Website. Retrieved April 2012 from: http://www.acsm.net/. BizMiner. 2012. US Industry Market Report: NAICS 541360. Web report. Retrieved April 2012 from: http://reports.bizminer.com/temp/pdf/1647256385_0503132043.pdf. BizMiner. 2012. Industry Financial Profile: NAICS 541360. Web report. Retrieved April 2012 from: http://reports.bizminer.com/temp/pdf/853919651_0503132459.pdf. Gale Group. 2012. Database, Industry Search: NAICS 541370. Retrieved April 2012 from: http://galenet.galegroup.com 11
IBISWorld. 2012. Industry and Market Research Database. Web page. Retrieved April 2012 from: http://clients.ibisworld.com/industry/homeOD.aspxparatype=2 Sumner, Curtis. Interview. 24 April 2012. Executive Director of the American Congress on Surveying and Mapping (ACSM), the National Society for Professional Surveyors (NSPS) with Gwyneth Frey. NAICS 541370 – SURVEYING AND MAPPING (EXCEPT GEOPHYSICAL) NAICS Description: This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in performing surveying and mapping services of the surface of the earth, including the sea floor. These services may include surveying and mapping of areas above or below the surface of the earth, such as the creation of view easements or segregating rights in parcels of land by creating underground utility easements. From the US Commercial Census: SMALL BUSINESS MARKETPLACE This industry includes all surveying and mapping activities that are not geophysical in nature. Like the geophysical industry, firms in this industry collect geospatial data. However, the application of general geospatial data is much broader, as is the makeup of their customers, and therefore the market is much different. Industry experts cite two major influencing factors in the development and growth of the commercial surveying and mapping industry: workforce issues and technology changes. These will form the shape and dynamics of the industry going forward, but experts predict an increase in the growth of this industry despite challenges with these factors. WORKFORCE ISSUES Some of the key challenges that all firms in this industry encounter have to do with challenges with the workforce. The end use for surveying and mapping services contributes to all varieties of human activity, including building, agriculture, transportation, mining, and more. The success of a firm often depends on its’ ability to take on business that will supply several types of downstream customers, which requires excellent asset management and a talent pool of skilled professionals with the appropriate licenses for given projects. The issues regarding the workforce are 3-fold: 1. Licensing requirements vary from state to state in the US, fracturing the workforce 2. There are too few professionals obtaining 4-year degrees in this increasing specialized field 3. Frequent technical innovations demand that even seasoned professionals must continue with their education in order for their skills to be relevant. 12
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