ABSTRACT
Consider the case of a new company that has developed a new software program to automate the labor-intensive process of creating meaningful images from digital satellite data. Known as feature automation software, the sophisticated computer algorithm on which it is based provides incredible savings in time and labor costs for customers who use or manipulate GIS (geographic information systems) data across a broad range of market applications, including military, forestry (fire fighting and vegetation mapping), research
weather forecasting, and emergency response, to name a few. Key questions facing this new high-tech start-up are:
• What industry application(s) should it target with its initial commercialization efforts?
