Claude Caron

Hybrid RFID-GPS Real-Time Location System for Human Resources: Development, Impacts and Perspectives

Radio frequency identification (RFID), including real-time location systems (RTLS,) and Global Positioning Systems (GPS) are technologies that have evolved considerably in the past few years. These technologies have the potential to provide a means by which organizations can follow employees in real time. However, this permanent surveillance might have unpredictable impacts on the employee and on the organization itself. We followed the systems development research process to build a hybrid RFID-GPS system, allowing for the real-time location of human resources both indoors and outdoors. We tested this system in the security service of a Canadian university and we explored the impacts on the workgroup and its employees. Our results showed that this kind of system can work in a genuine context, and that it has distinct impacts on the individual and on the organization which are usually not observed with more traditional information systems.

GIScience Journals Ranking and Evaluation: An International Delphi Study

Researchers’ fame in most scientific fields is closely linked to their publishing capacity, both in terms of quantity and quality. In GIScience, as in other fields, this situation demands that the researcher evaluate and to be very familiar with the scientific journals in which they could publish. Some specialized journals (e.g. Journal of Citation Reports or JCR) are devoted to ranking these reviews according to various methods and criteria. Compared to other scientific communities, GIScience is relatively new and constantly evolving. Therefore, the journals of this field do not benefit from any real formal ranking yet. The objective of this paper is to present the process and results of a study aimed at addressing this gap. More specifically, the challenge is to elaborate an importance ranking of the scientific journals in the field of GIScience. To do so, both a qualitative (Delphi study carried out with 40 international experts) and a quantitative (JCR impact factor) approach has been implemented. This triangulation method leads to an early global ranking of the journals of this field.

Extending the individual formalism for a more complete modeling of urban spatially referenced data

Abstract The modeling formalisms currently used to design Spatial Information Systems (SIS) databases provide designers with limited possibilities in the modeling and processing of data. Besides being inefficient in describing spatial reference, these formalisms neglect temporal reference (existence and evolution of objects), give rise to complex models, and isolate processes from the data. In the case of large urban organisations, these limitations create technical difficulties when SIS are being designed. Designing can be facilitated by improving the expressive richness of these models. The goal of this paper is to present an extension to the Individual Formalism (used in the MERISE method) which permits a better description of spatially referenced databases. After having summarized the current problems with existing formalisms, we will present the different solutions elaborated and integrated into a new formalism called MODUL-R. Certain elements of MODUL-R which are particularly useful in urban environment applications are emphasized. These elements will be illustrated with examples taken from an urban SIS prototype, to be followed by a consideration of the potential of MODUL-R.

When Competitive Intelligence Meets Geospatial Intelligence

Given current economic uncertainties, it is important for enterprises to efficiently generate new knowledge and apply it in their products and services. In this regard, there is at least one source of assets that remains underutilized: data. An enterprise may be able to improve its competitive position by developing a better understanding of the value of its data, and competitive intelligence may prove very useful in this regard. Our study sought to identify, among some 40 competing analytical methods, those that may be enhanced by geospatial intelligence capabilities. We began by identifying the key criteria and dimensions and then determined the most promising approaches. Our results demonstrate that geospatial intelligence may serve competitive intelligence by improving and integrating certain dimensions of competitive analyses, and, in the process, efficiently identify business opportunities.

WikiSIG and collaborative GeoDesign. Towards a theoretical framework

RESUME: Avec l’emergence du Web 2.0, de nouvelles applications naissent et evoluent vers des formes plus interactives d’intelligence collective. Ces applications offrent aux professionnels comme au grand public un acces ouvert et enrichi a l’information geographique. Dans cet article, nous proposons les bases conceptuelles d’une nouvelle solution technologique baptisee WikiSIG. La force du WikiSIG reside dans sa capacite a assurer la tracabilite des evolutions spatio-temporelles des composantes geographiques generees par les utilisateurs (geometriques : localisation et forme; graphiques: iconographie; descriptives: semantique). Nous proposons egalement de mettre en evidence en quoi le WikiSIG constitue un support innovant au GeoDesign collaboratif.

Towards a Conceptual Framework for WikiGIS

As an emerging complex concept, GeoDesign requires an innovative theoretical basis, tools, supports and practices. For this reason, we propose a new concept, “WikiGIS”, designed to answer some dimensions of the GeoDesign process. WikiGIS focuses on the needs of GeoDesign, but we leave the door open for future improvement when tested in other areas that may have additional needs. WikiGIS is built on Web 2.0 technologies—and primarily on wiki—to manage the tracking of participants’ editing (i.e., managing the contributions history). It also offers GIS functions for geoprocessing and a design-based approach for sketching proposals. One of the main strengths of WikiGIS is its ability to manage the traceability of contributions with an easy and dynamical access, data quality and deltification. The core of this paper consists of presenting a conceptual framework for WikiGIS using UML diagrams. A user interface is presented later to show how our WikiGIS proposal works. This interface is simply a means to illustrate the concepts underlying WikiGIS.

A smart home 3d modeling approach for spatiotemporal analysis

Indoor location systems allow for the integration of more and more daily life objects into the smart home environment model. Consequently, managing the spatiotemporal data of things is becoming increasingly challenging. In this article, we propose a 3D geometrical approach to spatiotemporal object management and analysis based on the adaptation of the spatial database concept. We use the DOMUS apartment at Universite de Sherbrooke as a reference environment for 3D modeling of smart homes. We present a sample of 3D spatial analysis functions implemented in the DBMS to illustrate the use of the geometric model in providing smart home indoor location-based services.

The Spatiograph: A Classification Framework for Geospatial Representations

Geospatial Information Technology (GIT) is being used in an increasing number of application fields and is relevant for more users than ever before. This diversity of applications and users raise questions about the relevance of different types of georepresentation (such as, maps, aerial photos, satellite imagery, 3D models) and their congruency with different user profiles. Studies have shown that the convergence and divergence of georepresentations between individuals are potential sources of alliance and conflict in organizations, especially during GIT development projects. For a better understanding of the interactions between users, technologies and georepresentations, we need to reach a deeper understanding of each of these elements. More specifically, it remains difficult to understand and describe geo-representations, both cognitive and physical, in a synthetic and practical manner. Many studies suggested classification frameworks of georepresentations, but to our knowledge, none of them have been designed to present the different geo-representations used in an organization. Based on previous studies, we conducted this research in order to build a global and practical classification framework of georepresentations. We attained this goal through a survey, as well as quantitative and qualitative analyses. This paper presents the methodology and the results of this research project: a practical classification framework called Spatiograph. This quantitative study made it possible to conduct exploratory analyses that will define, in a later stage, the Spatiograph as a classification tool on a large scale and to validate it in various domains. The paper concludes with a few examples of visual analyses that may be conducted with the Spatiograph.