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Peter Batty
Chief Research Officer at SSP Innovations, LLC
Professional Background
Peter Batty is widely recognized as a pioneering force in the realm of geospatial and location technologies. Currently holding the title of Chief Research Officer at SSP Innovations, LLC, he has spent over three decades elevating the field through innovation, leadership, and strategic vision. With a rich history of holding leadership positions at some of the world’s most prominent companies in the geospatial industry, Peter's influence is unmatched.
Throughout his career, Peter held noteworthy roles including Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at the globally renowned IQGeo, where he contributed immensely as a co-founder, helping create their flagship geospatial platform initially known as myWorld. His journey began earlier at Smallworld, now a part of GE Energy, where he played a vital role in transforming the company from a startup to a leader in geographic information systems (GIS) solutions for the utilities and communications sectors from 1992 to 2002. Additionally, he served as CTO at Intergraph, now part of Hexagon, contributing to its impressive growth as the second-largest geospatial software firm with revenues reaching around $600 million in 2005-2007.
Peter's industrious spirit also led him to establish two successful startups. Ten Sails offered early-stage funding, eventually merging with Ubisense to create IQGeo, solidifying Peter's role in building influential entities in the industry. Spatial Networking, his other endeavor, was aimed at developing an innovative online platform that combined social networking with geospatial technologies, encouraging more efficient travel and meet-up opportunities for users.
Education and Achievements
Peter's educational foundation is as robust as his career. He earned both his Master's degree in Computer Science and his BA in Mathematics from the prestigious Oxford University, where he finished at the top of his class, a testament to his intellectual prowess. Such a solid educational background has undoubtedly equipped him with the skills necessary to lead and innovate in the tech-driven world of geospatial technologies.
In addition to his career accomplishments, Peter has made significant contributions to the field through numerous publications and presentations at global conferences. His expertise has been recognized with a record nine speaker awards from the Geospatial Information and Technology Association (GITA), for enlightening audiences at various North American and Australian conferences. His thought leadership extends to his role on the Editorial Advisory Board of GeoWorld magazine, providing critical insights and guidance to the industry.
Peter has also been actively involved with important industry standards efforts, contributing to organizations such as the Open GIS Consortium and the IEC TC57 Working Group 14. His passion for advancing the geospatial community led him to serve on the board of OSGeo, the Open Source Geospatial Foundation from 2011 to 2013. He dedicated six years to the GITA board, steering the organization towards fulfilling its goals of fostering innovation and education in geospatial technologies.
Contributions to the Community
A significant contributor to the geospatial community, Peter chaired the FOSS4G 2011 conference in Denver, which successfully attracted 900 attendees from 42 countries, underscoring his commitment to fostering global dialogue and collaboration in geospatial innovation. His role as Chief Technical Advisor at Enspiria Solutions further demonstrates his expertise in guiding organizations through the complexities of geospatial technology.
Peter's knowledge and experience have also allowed him to work closely with IBM as a Senior Systems Engineer, bringing significant enhancements to their geospatial offerings. With an impressive career trajectory and a clear vision for the future, Peter continues to shape the industry through research, innovation, and mentorship.
Peter maintains a blog where he shares his insights and perspectives on geospatial technologies at Geothought. His blog serves as a resource for enthusiasts and professionals, featuring industry trends and valuable guidance on navigating the rapid evolution of geospatial solutions.
Achievements
