Why GIS Needs the Cloud (And What’s Next)

Spatial Stack with Matt Forrest

For years, geospatial professionals have been forced to download massive datasets—only to discard most of the data. It’s an outdated, inefficient process that slows down analysis and limits scalability. But a major shift is happening. Cloud-native geospatial is transforming how we store, access, and process spatial data, making it faster, more efficient, and accessible to everyone.

In this episode, I sit down with Jed Sundewald, Executive Director of Radiant Earth, to explore how the Cloud-Native Geospatial Forum is shaping the future of GIS, the evolution of cloud-optimized formats like COGs and STAC, and what this means for GIS professionals, developers, and decision-makers.

Whether you're new to cloud-native geospatial or looking to optimize your data workflows, this conversation will give you a front-row seat to the future of geospatial technology.

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🏔️ Attend the Cloud Native Geospatial Forum in April ➡️ https://2025-ut.cloudnativegeo.org/ ⬅️

🔑 Topics Covered:

✔️ Why traditional geospatial workflows are inefficient
✔️ The rise of cloud-native geospatial formats (COGs, STAC, and more)
✔️ How cloud-native GIS benefits both small and large-scale users
✔️ The role of the Cloud-Native Geospatial Forum and upcoming events
✔️ How to integrate cloud-native principles into your geospatial stack