Pros and cons of migrating GIS to the cloud

Almost 70% of organisations already have at least one application in the cloud, reflecting the widespread adoption and growing reliance on cloud technology to drive business agility, scalability and innovation. In this article, I will introduce to you the pros and cons of migrating GIS to the cloud to help you make an informed decision that aligns with your organisation's goals and resources.

Cloud GIS market overview

The global Cloud Geographic Information System market is growing rapidly and is expected to exceed $5.21 billion by 2026, with a compound annual growth rate of over 19.7%.

The cloud GIS market is growing due to increasing demand for location-based services and broad industry applications, with North America leading the way due to significant US investment.

Europe and Asia-Pacific are also experiencing growth, particularly in infrastructure and urban planning. Governments' digital transformation efforts, particularly in smart cities and sustainable resource management, will drive future market expansion.

Deployment models for GIS cloud computing

Cloud models offer different levels of availability, security and scalability, depending on an organisation's specific needs. When it comes to GIS, there are three basic cloud models: private, public and hybrid.

However, in addition to these deployment models, it is also important to consider the levels of cloud adoption available for each solution, including

• Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) - It offers the most control and allows organisations to manage their own infrastructure (e.g. virtual machines, storage and networking) while using cloud providers for the physical hardware. IaaS is ideal when custom configurations are required or when integrating legacy systems. However, it requires a higher level of expertise and responsibility for managing updates, security and scaling.

• Platform as a Service (PaaS) - Provides pre-built environments where developers can build and deploy custom applications. In the case of GIS, this means that organisations can focus more on developing geospatial applications and analysing data, rather than worrying about the underlying architecture. The downside is less control over the underlying infrastructure, which may not be suitable for highly specialised GIS applications that require more customisation.

• Software as a Service (SaaS) - It involves subscribing to an application hosted by cloud providers. This is the easiest and most cost-effective option, especially for small and medium-sized businesses that do not require custom GIS solutions. At the same time, it offers the least flexibility, and organisations may be limited by the features and scalability provided by the software vendor.

Major data migration challenges

Bandwidth limitations - Even if cloud providers can handle high data traffic, the user's own internet bandwidth may be insufficient. Limited bandwidth, poor connections, and restrictions can all slow down data transfer, rendering migration impractical. Overcoming this difficulty may entail expanding bandwidth, scheduling transfers during off-peak hours, or ensuring network policies are in line with business requirements.

Large dataset transfer delays - Without appropriate bandwidth or time, these transfers might take several hours or even days, causing major delays in the migration process. To prevent this, a test transfer can help estimate the real time necessary, allowing for more accurate planning.

Data security - Sensitive data may pose a challenge due to security requirements when transferring it to the cloud. As an instance, private datasets may require encryption or specialised transfer protocols to preserve secrecy while in transit. In some circumstances, the sensitivity of the data may preclude its transfer via the internet, what demands additional security procedures and planning to ensure compliance with regulatory.

Benefits of moving GIS to the cloud

The decision to migrate your GIS infrastructure to the cloud brings with it access to a range of pros that will ultimately transform your operations.

Scalability: Migrating GIS to the cloud offers the ability to easily scale resources, enabling organisations to effectively manage growing data volumes and user demands.

Cost-effectiveness: Moving to the cloud can significantly reduce upfront infrastructure costs and eliminate maintenance ones, allowing organisations to allocate budgets more efficiently, and freeing up resources for other critical areas.

Backups and disaster recovery: With automated backup solutions and DR options, you can minimise the risk of data loss or downtime and ensure business continuity, which is critical for any organisation.

High availability & redundancy: Cloud services designed for maximum availability and redundancy ensure continuous operation, significantly reducing downtime, which later translates into improved user satisfaction and operational efficiency.

Accessibility & collaboration: Cloud-based GIS provides access to data and tools from anywhere, what improves collaboration between teams and stakeholders. Real-time data sharing, updates and analysis also improve decision-making and effectiveness.

Disadvantages of migrating GIS to Cloud

While migrating GIS to the cloud offers compelling benefits, it also brings challenges. Weighing drawbacks against your organisation's specific needs and capabilities is crucial to making an informed decision about whether cloud GIS is the right path forward.

Latency and performance: One of the biggest concerns with cloud-based GIS is network latency. Cloud platforms rely on internet connectivity, and any delays can drastically affect performance, especially for large datasets or complex spatial analysis. For operations that require real-time data access (e.g. live tracking or rapid geoprocessing), latency can introduce delays that disrupt workflows.

Vendor lock-in: Cloud migration often leads to a degree of dependency on the chosen cloud provider. Once your GIS is deeply integrated with a particular platform, switching to another provider can be costly and technically challenging. Each cloud platform has its own set of tools, APIs and proprietary features that may not be compatible with other environments. This lock-in effect can limit your flexibility and increase long-term costs.

Cost overruns: While the cloud offers flexible pricing models, there's a risk of cost overruns if not managed carefully. For GIS operations involving intensive data processing or storage of large datasets such as satellite imagery, LiDAR or real-time analysis, costs can escalate quickly. For example, frequent data retrieval, high computing requirements for analysis or unexpected data growth can lead to higher-than-expected bills.

Over to you

When considering a cloud migration for GIS, it's important to think beyond the technical specifications. Choosing a cloud provider that aligns with your long-term business goals can be a strategic differentiator. The right partner should meet your immediate scalability and security needs,as well as offer solid customer support and future-proof solutions that can evolve with your organisation.

Equally important is understanding the financial implications of cloud computing - hidden costs can accumulate if not managed effectively. That's why it's critical to have a well-defined cloud management model that aligns cloud usage with your financial planning, providing both flexibility and cost control as your GIS infrastructure evolves.

Make sure your data is protected by implementing encryption, complying with industry regulations, and establishing disaster recovery protocols. Additionally, empower your team by equipping them with the necessary skills and support to effectively manage and adapt to the new cloud environment.

If you have any additional questions, don’t hesitate to contact me directly via email!

Andrew Radcliffe is CEO UK and co-founder of Spyrosoft Ltd, based in Christchurch, Hampshire, and part of a group of companies headquartered in Wrocław, Poland, that are implementing digital change for clients around the world.