Autumn 2009
This report summarizes the results of an industry trends forum held at the GITA Ontario Chapter Fall Forum 2009 held in Oakville Ontario on November 4, 2009.
Workshop participants represented a wide range of industries including (ranked highest to lowest by proportion of participants from each sector):
· Electricity
· Transportation
· Gas
· Pipeline
· Public Sector
· Telecommunications
· Water/Waste Water
· Environment
Participants represented users, developers, professional service providers and vendors. Participants worked in mixed tables and considered the following questions:
1) What are the top 2 or 3 applications and technologies for your table?
2) What are the drivers (i.e. why are they important to you)?
3) What are the challenges?
The overall top applications of importance to the GITA Ontario community at this time are:
- Asset Management (including Critical Infrastructure Management)
- Smart Grid
- Emergency Response and Management.
The overall top technologies of interest to the GITA Ontario community at this time are:
- Web Services
- Distribution Automation – SCADA and its evolution into Smart/Intelligent Grid
- Data and system integration/Interoperability
- Mobile computing technologies.
The top business drivers for the applications and technologies are:
- Legislation and compliance
- Public accountability and transparency (incl. PSAB 31500 & IFRS)
- Operational efficiency, green footprint and cost management
- Safety.
The top challenges are:
- Continuous change in how our organizations operate (i.e. changes in government and changes in legislation or regulation)
- Securing adequate funding and resources
- Overcoming interoperability challenges relating to data and systems.