By: Chris Gallagher
Data is often compared to oil, and the surveying sector is making notable strides in this context. In Australia, Braden Corfield, the General Manager of Sonto, a surveying firm in Southeast Queensland, advocates for metadata standardization, a key but sometimes underappreciated part of geospatial data management.
The Magic of Metadata
“Metadata is the backbone of effective geospatial data management,” Corfield explains. “It’s the information about the data that allows us to understand its origin, quality, and potential uses. Without standardized metadata, we’re essentially working in the dark, unable to fully leverage the vast amounts of geospatial data collected by various agencies and private companies across Australia.”
Standardization is the Goal
The push for standardization comes at a critical time. As government agencies and private organizations collect increasingly vast and diverse amounts of geospatial data, the need for interoperability has never been more pressing. Corfield argues that adopting common metadata standards, like the ISO 19115 series, is essential for helping datasets from diverse sources be easily discovered, evaluated, and integrated.
“When we implement consistent terminology, data quality indicators, and spatial reference information, we can facilitate seamless data exchange and analysis across platforms,” Corfield states. “This is about more than just efficiency. It’s the way forward to unlock the full potential of our national geospatial resources.”
Sonto Stands Behind Standardization
Sonto’s advocacy for metadata standardization is rooted in years of industry experience. The company has witnessed firsthand the challenges posed by incompatible datasets and the inefficiencies that result from duplicated efforts across agencies. “We’ve seen projects delayed and costs balloon simply because different organizations couldn’t effectively share and integrate their geospatial data,” Corfield recalls. “It’s a problem that’s potentially avoidable with aligned standardization.”
The benefits of standardized metadata extend beyond mere compatibility. Corfield points out that implementing machine-readable metadata formats, like XML, may help significantly enhance automated processing and integration capabilities. “We’re moving towards a future where AI and machine learning will play an even bigger role in geospatial analysis,” he says. “Standardised, machine-readable metadata is essential for these technologies to function effectively.”
Advocating for Change
Sonto is focused on implementing solutions to drive change. The company offers a proprietary data room, developed with its spatial technology partner, AMBIFORM, providing a secure, centralized platform for clients to access and manage project-related data.
The thinking behind creating this centralized data room parlays into how Sonto approaches the move toward standardizing metadata.
The key is the creation of collaborative, centralized metadata catalogs. Developing these with government agencies and industry partners will enable people and teams to search and access datasets from multiple agencies through a single interface, helping improve efficiency and promoting data reuse.
“Our goal must be to create a system where a surveyor in Perth can easily find and use data collected by an agency in Brisbane,” Corfield explains. “This level of accessibility and interoperability is critical for national-scale projects and decision-making.”
The push for standardization aligns with broader trends in data management. Sonto is exploring the integration of semantic web technologies and linked data principles to create better connections between datasets. These technologies can enable more advanced analyses and reveal insights that might go unnoticed. Additionally, metadata standardization plays a role in data provenance tracking, which helps maintain data integrity. Tracing the origin and transformations of a dataset is essential for supporting evidence-based decision-making, especially in government and scientific contexts.
Maximizing Australia’s Geospatial Resources
As Australia moves towards a more integrated spatial data infrastructure, the importance of standardization efforts cannot be overstated. Corfield believes that maximizing the value of Australia’s geospatial resources is not just an industry goal but a national imperative.
“Geospatial data underpins so many aspects of our society, from urban planning and environmental management to emergency response and economic development,” he says. “When we standardize our approach to metadata, we’re laying the groundwork for more efficient, innovative, and effective use of this critical resource.”
The road to complete standardization is not without its challenges. It requires coordination across multiple agencies and organizations and investment in new systems and training. Corfield and the team at Sonto are optimistic about the future.
“We’re seeing a growing recognition of the importance of metadata standardization across the industry,” Corfield reports. “More and more organizations are realizing that this is not just a technical issue, but a strategic one that can bolster innovation and efficiency across the board.”
As Sonto continues to lead by example, implementing standardized metadata practices in their operations and advocating for broader adoption, Corfield envisions a future where Australia’s geospatial data is fully interoperable, accessible, and primed for advanced analysis.
Disclaimer: The content is intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice. The implementation of metadata standardization and related technologies discussed herein is subject to ongoing research and development, and the outcomes may vary depending on various factors, including regulatory frameworks and technological advancements.
Published by Joseph T.
