REDLANDS, CALIF. — Leaders in the energy and utility industries are coming together at a Spatial Roundtable to discuss the smart grid. Hosted by ESRI, the online discussion features timely topics as they relate to geographic information system (GIS) technology. ESRI's director of utility solutions, Bill Meehan, kicks off the smart grid conversation by posing important logistical questions and sharing practical answers.

"As funding and technology move the world closer to a more reliable, modernized electric network — a smart grid — utilities face significant challenges," Meehan said. "The Spatial Roundtable gives utilities and energy companies a place to talk about those challenges and the solutions made possible by GIS modeling, mapping, and data management."

Spatial Roundtable is designed for GIS industry thought leaders to share their points of view about concerns, trends, challenges, and technologies. Participants in the online Spatial Roundtable discussion include the main contributor, who initiates the discussion, and invited topic-expert guests. Site visitors may also add comments. Topics remain open for discussion for six weeks. Archived topics are accessible for 24 months.

Visit www.spatialroundtable.com.