Jordi Escriu
IDEC Support Centre Unit
Cartographic and Geological Institute of Catalonia
Spain

Biography
Jordi Escriu has a degree on Geodesy and Cartography Engineering (2004) and a MSc. degree in GIS (2008). Since 2006 he works as Geographic Information Analyst in the Quality and Standards department of the Institut Cartografic i Geologic de Catalunya (ICGC), where he started his career as Web-GIS analyst-programmer in 2003. His activities are focused on drafting data specifications, data modelling, quality management and evaluation, implementation of ISO/OGC standards and participation in interoperability projects - such as GIS4EU and INSPIRE (Editor TN & EL specifications; Facilitator Thematic Cluster #3). He participates in the EuroGeographics INSPIRE and Quality Knowledge Exchange Networks.

Abstract
Working for INSPIRE to Achieve Mutual Benefits: Aligning Directive Compliance with Product Improvement

Co-Authors:
Dolors Barrot, Head of the Quality and Methods Unit
Miquel Parella, Responsible for Toponymy
Vicent Pale, Head of the Thematic Production Unit
Vi­ctor Pascual, Responsible for Catalan SDI
Julia  Talaya, Geodesy and Cartography General Deputy Director

Our regional mapping organization has actively participated in the INSPIRE process since 2008 contributing with experts in its development , European projects and supporting the new Thematic Clusters initiative. These tasks complement the progress of the regional SDI of Catalonia and the deployment of the Cartographic Plan of Catalonia. This continuous effort is not only based on the legal mandates of INSPIRE, but also a tool for improving our high-detailed database, orthoimage and geographical names products:Feed our know-how to “stay up-to-date" in the geo-information sector. Lead a “down-to earth" re-engineering process, according to new technologies but evaluating available resources: a) Data models: design of common, centralized databases, implementation of persistent identifiers, object-level metadata, connections between internal databases, update of contents to cover new demands. b) Production process: new production environments based on GIS, updating workflows and software tools, withdrawal of “mapsheet" as working unit, updating policy, increase automation and quality controls, assuring traceability. c) Delivery mediums: SDI, geoservices, data on-demand. Harmonize products increasing their usability combined with third-party datasets. Apply international and European standards to achieve interoperability. Improve product documentation to make them meaningful for users. Promote the products' visibility at European level, in order to increase their use in cross-border applications. Explore new ways to access and use geoinformation to compete in an expanding, changing sector. Get funding from international projects and contracts with customers. The presentation will describe examples illustrating our advances in these products. As a conclusion, INSPIRE is a clear driver to achieve intangible benefits which are difficult to quantify in economic terms. These are key factors for our organization to build capacities, allowing us to reach a level of technologic innovation found to be essential for the continual improvement of our products and services, as well as to satisfy the needs of our (known and unknown) users and customers.