Instant gratification – a motto for our modern world. With information available almost instantly for download, mobile workers with wireless access can answer questions faster, enter data and complete tasks right from the field. With more productive field agents, citizens and businesses reap the benefits.

Professor Ganapati traces the evolution of the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in government, with a focus on the use of GIS by local government. The current third wave (Geospatial Web 2.0 platforms) has seen a dramatic increase in the use of GIS by citizens, such as obtaining transit and crime information. Professor Ganapati presents several case examples of how GIS is now being used by local governments across the nation.