The Harlow Report-GIS
2025 Edition
ISSN 0742-468XSince 1978
On-line Since 2000
GIS News Snippets
For the week of
August 11, 2025
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A “Harlow Report” From Aug 12, 2024
30 Years of Geospatial Standards
by Peter Parslow & Allan Jamieson
ISO/TC 211 has been developing and maintaining a set of standards for the geospatial community for 30 years.
Some standards are well known, others are used without people realizing it, and — because each standard changes over time — some do not yet fulfil their potential. This article reflects on the changes over the past three decades, including the benefits of harmonization, the maturing of the standards development process, and the evolution of the outreach activities.
ISO/TC 211 is the International Organization for Standardization's technical committee responsible for geographic information. The vision is to support a sustainably prosperous future by developing and maintaining, in cooperation with others, a set of standards that enable better management of geographic information. ISO/TC 211 doesn't do this alone. Key collaboration partners include the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) which is also 30 this year, UN agencies such as the Food and Agriculture Organization and Universal Postal Union, and professional bodies such as the International Association of Geodesy (IAG), the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS) and Group on Earth Observations (GEO).
Read full story at GIM International…
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Industry News
In Government
Pentagon Will 'Open the Door' to More Companies for Next Major Cloud Contract
by Frank Konkel
The Pentagon's tech chief said JWCC Next will look a little different than its $9 billion predecessor.
Summary
The Pentagon's next major cloud contract, JWCC Next, will expand beyond the four major cloud service providers to include smaller companies and non-traditional vendors.
The contract aims to foster innovation and efficiency by incorporating innovative AI tools, satellite capabilities, and new weaponry development methods.
Read full story at Defense One…
White House Tech Director Breaks Down Plan to Balance AI National Security and Export Promotion
by Alexandra Kelley
White House OSTP Director Michael Kratsios said that the “highest end of semiconductors” should fall under export controls, but the administration still wants the world using U.S. technology.
Summary
The Trump administration's AI policy aims to ensure a U.S.-led technology stack is used domestically and internationally. The administration is concerned about sensitive data breaches and the potential misuse of AI systems by adversarial nations, particularly regarding semiconductor chips.
While export controls will be applied to the highest-end semiconductors, the administration aims to balance national security with the global market access of American tech companies.
Read full story at NextGov/FCW…