The document discusses the benefits of using open source GIS software like QGIS compared to expensive commercial licenses. It notes that public sector funding is being cut, requiring closer scrutiny of software costs. QGIS offers flexible functionality at a lower cost than commercial alternatives. While switching software requires training, QGIS has better performance and functionality. The open source model allows organizations to collaboratively develop and improve software that everyone can use.

1. Making the Case for QGIS
Neil Benny, thinkWhere
6th October 2015

2. The Open
Source GIS
Model
QGIS – How it
all fits
together
Favourite
Features in
QGIS

3. Open Source Model
Open Source
software is
becoming more
popular and
widespread

4. Financial Climate
The UK Public Sector is subject to significant
cuts in funding.
In Wales Local Authority spending is being cut
by 3.8% in this year.
With savings increasingly difficult to find,
software licenses must come under scrutiny.

5. More to come
There has been an 8% reduction in the overall
Welsh Assembly Government funding since
2012
A further £50m of cuts are forecast for next
financial year.

6. UK Public Sector Spend
£200,000,000
2010-2014 (source: Guardian
29/1/2014)
£800,000,000
Projection 2010-2014 (source:
Computer World 28/03/2012)

7. A new view of IT
Invest in your people,
not expensive
software licenses

8. The commercial way
License Fees
Expensive Training
Budget Cuts
Training Cuts

9. The commercial way
Commercial Licenses
Training
Costs
Staff Salaries
IT
Overh
eads
Commercial Licenses Staff Salaries
IT
Overh
eads Now
What?

10. The Open Source Way
Financial
Savings
Money for
training –
first time
in years
Higher
productivity
New ways of
working
More
Savings
You can get rid of your
expensive commercial
licenses….

11. QGIS Delivers
Flexible Functionality Lower Costs

12. Just one thing…
Underinvesting in training is
the number 1 mistake you
can make when switching to
Open Source

13. Changing to QGIS
Team QGIS
Team Arc
v

15. However…
QGIS has better
functionality and better
performance than
commercial alternatives

16. So…
Once users realise the reason behind
this change and have the time to get
to grips with it, they usually come
round.

17. Motivation
Organisation A
wants a
programme
developed
They pay a
developer to make
it for them as an
open source
project
Organisation B
Uses the
programme, but
wants to make it
better
They pay a
developer to
improve the
programme
Organisation A
gets the
improved
programme for
free
Organisation B gets the
improved programme
cheaper than a new
programme would have
cost

18. The Open
Source GIS
Model
QGIS – How it
all fits
together
Favourite
Features in
QGIS

19. QGIS
July 2002 – First
Version of QGIS
came out,
named for the
developer’s
pets.
January 2008 –
Version 0.9,
“Ganymede”
brings new
professionalism
to Quantum
April 2013 –
Version 2.0 brings
together a new
interface and
better
functionality. Now
known as simply
QGIS.
20152002

20. QGIS 2.10 - Pisa Long Term release remains 2.8

21. QGIS in Context
OSGeo is the organisation
that looks after QGIS. They
support the development of
lots of different Open Source
GIS packages.
To support the collaborative development of open source
geospatial software, and promote its widespread use.

22. So How Do You Start?
It’s simple to download QGIS and get started on
it – go to
www.qgis.org
And download the installer

23. Interested in Training?
thinkWhere
offer training
packages
starting from
£250.
Beginners Courses, Conversion Courses
and Advanced courses in QGIS and
PostGIS
All training courses include 30 days
FREE support

24. Interested in Support?
thinkWhere
offer support
packages
starting from
£450.
Telephone support for QGIS,
PostGIS, installation, upgrades
and training.

25. Interested?
Give us a shout
01786 476 060
info@thinkwhere.com
www.thinkwhere.com

26. The Open
Source GIS
Model
QGIS – How it
all fits
together
Favourite
Features in
QGIS

27. The Open
Source GIS
Model
QGIS – How it
all fits
together
Favourite
Features in
QGIS

28. Ease of Use

29. Flexible Print Composer

30. Flexible Symbology

31. Automation & Scripting
Batch Processing
Graphical Modeller

32. Plugins
Group Stats
Memory Layer
Autotrace
MMQGIS

33. Customisation

34. Database Connectivity

35. Serious Spatial Analysis

36. New Features in 2.12…
• New labelling Engine
• Draw Effects
• Authentication

37. I’m liking the cartography

38. Questions