From the Publisher
By Roland Mangold

Happy 5th Anniversary EOM - Keep on Rolling

In March of 1992, the first issue of Earth Observation Magazine was published. We launched EOM with the mandate to grow the markets for the GeoTechnologies, to do the missionary work for the industry by reaching 30,000 professionals from fields as diverse as agriculture, engineering, environmental, forestry, petroleum, mining, utilities, and urban planning. One thing they all have in common is that they can benefit immensely from the use of spatial information technologies.
      EOM is also the only magazine whose mission it is to help create an environment within which a commercial remote sensing, and even the GeoTechnologies, to flourish and prosper, w need to expose more people to the benefits of these publications in this industry, rather than "preach to the choir" of existing GIS, remote sensing and GPS users, we have been hitting the various vertical markets mentioned above.
      It has been extremely encouraging, over the past five years, to see engineering, environmental, oil, gas, and mining companies go from using paper maps and basic CAD systems for mapping, to integrating CAD mapping or GIS, GPS, and to utilize digital aerial and satellite remote sensing. Virtually all of them say that in order to stay ahead in an increasingly competitive environment they need to stay on the cutting edge of technology. But, still the technology is too expensive, too hard to use, too hard to obtain, and really not a major issue in most organizations' information management systems, or mission critical information.
      EOM will continue to spearhead missionary and education efforts for the industry. However, the burden really rests on the shoulders of the industry, as opposed to individual vendors promoting their proprietary products and services.
      Our efforts will be focused upon increasing the exposure of the GeoTechnologies within the various markets that we have begun to penetrate with EOM by creating vertical market publications that are created expressly to penetrate many of the vertical markets 'for the GeoTechnologies. In essence, EOM will act as the "hub," with vertical market publications emanating as "spokes," creating the wheel upon which the GeoTechnologies can roll into all avenues of society.
      With the "hub" firmly established, the first spoke of the wheel is now in place as well. This past February, we launched Modern Agriculture, "The Journal for Site-Specific Crop Management."
      Modern Agriculture is dedicated to promoting the uses and benefits for site specific management tools such as Differential Global Positioning Systems (DGPS), geographic information systems, and aerial and satellite image data.
      By publishing industry news and feature application articles that advance the integration, seamless application, and cost-effective uses of all contributing technologies, it is our objective that Modern Agriculture can help achieve increased efficiencies in all areas of agriculture.
      Also, in keeping with our missionary zeal, many of you may have noticed a new advertiser in EOM. The GEMI Store is a one-stop-shop for virtually any type of Geographic, Earth, Mapping Information. From satellite imagery for anywhere on Earth, to digital, georeferenced aerial photography of anywhere in North America, to myriad of digital raster and vector geographic information, The GEMI Store is the one place to get any type of geographic information.
      We started The GEMI Store to become the vehicle upon which we can expose society to the benefits of the GeoTechnologies. Basically, The GEMI Store is a wholesaler, distributor, and retailer for any of the products and services in the industry. GEMI does not create any of the products, and it doesn't perform any of the services. GEMI acts purely as a sales and marketing organization. We have been preaching the virtues of marketing for five years. And, frankly this industry is not the most progressive from a marketing standpoint. We are so confident of the benefits of marketing the products and services of this industry that we are putting our money where our mouth is. So, if the industry is not going to do the marketing, then we will do the marketing for the industry.
      One way or another, if you are a vendor in this industry we will help you sell your products and services, either through advertising in our publications, or we will sell them directly through the GEMI Store. Our goal remains clear - to grow the GeoTechnologies. In order for that to happen, vendors must connect with their potential customers - our role is to facilitate this connection.
      It has been an exciting five years. I think all of us are extremely fortunate to be in this industry, at this particular time. It is rare in one's life to have the opportunity to be a part of a revolution. That is exactly what is going on in this industry. We are just at the beginning of riding a monumental wave, and how big that wave will get is up to all of us. It has been a wild ride so far. We, here at EOM, are looking forward to sharing that ride with you for the next five years and beyond.

Cheers!

Roland Mangold

Back