"The Evolution of Geospatial Information Platforms: Embracing Subscription Services and Generative AI

[Engineering Journal, Reporter Jeon Chan-min] Although geospatial information is utilized daily in our lives, its importance often goes unnoticed. Today, however, it has become one of the most critical technologies underpinning a wide range of industries, including autonomous driving, smart cities, drones, and smart construction, while playing a pivotal role in building new industrial ecosystems.

In the past, geospatial information systems were developed and operated as individual systems because both the users and the services required were predetermined. As a result, each system had to be separately designed and developed, making it difficult to ensure consistent performance and quality across different developers and users.

Certainly, developing services tailored to specific user requirements can improve operational specialization and user-friendliness. However, technical differences and communication challenges between users and developers often lead to repeated trial and error in the pursuit of optimal service delivery.

Moreover, it is often difficult for users to determine whether the geospatial information they need exists in the first place. Even when source geospatial data can be obtained, it is not easy to utilize. While most people are familiar with using maps, creating thematic maps or conducting spatial analyses remains a far more complex task requiring specialized expertise. Consequently, establishing and maintaining an environment capable of utilizing geospatial information and keeping it updated with the latest data requires significant costs, which can ultimately discourage organizations from adopting geospatial technologies altogether.

As a result, the need for geospatial information platforms has recently gained increasing attention. Such platforms enable anyone to easily utilize geospatial information, provide proven performance and quality, and create an open ecosystem in which all participants can act as both suppliers and users. Developers can leverage up-to-date information and APIs provided through the platform to easily create new services, while general users can combine their own data with information and services supplied by the platform and other providers to analyze, generate, distribute, and utilize new forms of information. This openness and accessibility are among the most distinctive characteristics of geospatial information platforms.

As geospatial information companies increasingly focus on platform development, one company has attracted particular attention by offering MapPick, a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) version of its geospatial platform GeOnPaaS, designed to reduce the cost of building and operating geospatial information systems. That company is integrated geospatial solutions provider WAVUS Co., Ltd.

MapPick, developed by WAVUS, provides a wide range of preconfigured geospatial datasets that are automatically updated on a regular basis and can be readily utilized within services. One of its most notable features is its affordability, allowing users to access advanced geospatial services through a low-cost subscription model rather than bearing the significant expenses associated with traditional system implementation. Furthermore, through a cloud-native architecture, the platform ensures service stability by automatically scaling system resources in response to spikes in user demand.

To make map content creation even more accessible, GeOnPaaS provides a Map Builder and App Builder that allow users to create geospatial services without coding. The platform also offers various developer-friendly features, including auto-completion functions that simplify the development process. Going a step further, it incorporates natural language chat-based map generation capabilities, enabling users to interact with the geospatial platform more intuitively and efficiently.

WAVUS President Park Chang-hoon stated:

“We are well aware that some people are concerned that adopting geospatial platforms or subscription-based geospatial services could reduce the market for traditional system implementation projects by lowering construction costs and eliminating the need for independently developed systems. However, if organizations that previously refrained from utilizing geospatial information due to excessive implementation or operational costs begin to adopt these technologies, it will create a virtuous cycle. More users will emerge, geospatial information will be introduced into entirely new sectors, and ultimately this will contribute to the expansion of the geospatial information industry as a whole.”

GeOnPaaS represents the culmination of WAVUS’s expertise accumulated since its establishment in 2004. Over the past two decades, the company has built major administrative systems across virtually every area of public administration in Korea, including national land management, railways, cadastral information, addressing systems, public assets, environmental management, water resources, and civil services. The company has also carried out numerous system implementation projects for local governments and public institutions nationwide.

Likewise, MapPick was conceived as a subscription-based geospatial service aimed at lowering the barriers that have traditionally prevented users from directly utilizing geospatial information.

Through its geospatial platform business, WAVUS seeks to further strengthen its market position while creating new opportunities through collaboration with various geospatial companies. To secure greater diversity in the data available through GeOnPaaS, the company acquired the Geographic Information System (GIS) business division of Naver System Co., Ltd., thereby enhancing its competitiveness in geospatial data production.

Based on these capabilities, WAVUS expects to produce high-precision 2D and 3D geospatial information using aerial surveying, drones, and Mobile Mapping Systems (MMS), which can then be integrated and utilized within GeOnPaaS.

In addition, the company is developing technologies to expand into various sectors, including land development, urban planning, and industrial complex management through the application of digital twin technologies. WAVUS is also making substantial investments in technologies related to the emerging Urban Air Mobility (UAM) market, including aviation information systems, vertiports, corridor design, integrated traffic management, and navigation safety infrastructure.

Meanwhile, WAVUS is developing GeOnAI, a generative AI-powered solution designed to enable ordinary users to utilize geospatial information with expert-level capabilities. GeOnAI will support everything from voice-generated map creation to geospatial analysis and programming, further advancing the capabilities of the GeOnPaaS platform through the integration of generative AI technologies.

To promote the broader adoption and utilization of geospatial information, WAVUS also plans to distribute a free educational version, MapPick Edu, to universities. The initiative aims to cultivate geospatial professionals and support the entry of more skilled geospatial practitioners into the workforce. To this end, the company is currently preparing Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with seven universities nationwide that offer geospatial information and geography-related programs.

President Park concluded:

“WAVUS hopes to provide the entire geospatial information value chain—from talent development and data production to service development, sharing, and distribution—through a unified service platform. Through collaboration and mutual growth with a wide range of companies, we hope to create an ecosystem where everyone can prosper together. We are confident that this proven expertise will serve as a strong driving force for our overseas expansion.”

He added:

“This year marks the 20th anniversary of WAVUS. Building upon the technologies and expertise accumulated over the past two decades, we are preparing for the next twenty years. Our employees will never become complacent or stagnant. We aspire to be remembered as a company that always puts users first, and we will continue doing our utmost to achieve that vision. We sincerely appreciate your continued support and encouragement.”"