Unified Geospatial Platform: Boosting Service Management Efficiency for Makkah City, Holy Sites

The Royal Commission for Makkah City and the Holy Sites is making significant advancements in building an advanced technical platform with the launch of the Unified Geospatial Platform project for Makkah. (SPA)
The Royal Commission for Makkah City and the Holy Sites is making significant advancements in building an advanced technical platform with the launch of the Unified Geospatial Platform project for Makkah. (SPA)
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Unified Geospatial Platform: Boosting Service Management Efficiency for Makkah City, Holy Sites

The Royal Commission for Makkah City and the Holy Sites is making significant advancements in building an advanced technical platform with the launch of the Unified Geospatial Platform project for Makkah. (SPA)
The Royal Commission for Makkah City and the Holy Sites is making significant advancements in building an advanced technical platform with the launch of the Unified Geospatial Platform project for Makkah. (SPA)

Geospatial information systems have become vital for driving economic growth, maintaining security, accelerating development, and facilitating decision-making.

They are pivotal in fostering creativity and innovation by enabling the smart use of geospatial information to achieve sustainable development goals and ensure long-term economic growth.

Saudi Arabia’s Royal Commission for Makkah City and the Holy Sites is making significant advancements in building an advanced technical platform with the launch of the Unified Geospatial Platform project for Makkah.

This initiative aims to create a unified framework for the governance and utilization of geospatial data for the city, making it accessible through a single platform, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Wednesday.

This project is the cornerstone of the Royal Commission's ambitious plan to integrate modern technologies with geospatial information systems.

This integration supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the Royal Commission's strategic objectives to boost service delivery in Makkah, improve city management efficiency, and provide an exceptional experience for citizens and visitors through high productivity and a diversified economy.

In recognition of its achievements, the Royal Commission for Makkah City and the Holy Sites received the Exceptional Performance Award in Geospatial Information Systems at the 2024 Esri World Conference.

The award highlights the entities and users worldwide that demonstrate vision, innovation, leadership, and dedication in their use of geospatial information systems (GIS) technology. It reflects the Royal Commission’s commitment to developing Makkah according to the highest international standards.



Nintendo Switch Sales Halve and Profit Tumbles as Successor Device Awaited

A customer browses the gaming section of Nintendo products in a shop in Tokyo, Japan, May 6, 2021. (AFP)
A customer browses the gaming section of Nintendo products in a shop in Tokyo, Japan, May 6, 2021. (AFP)
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Nintendo Switch Sales Halve and Profit Tumbles as Successor Device Awaited

A customer browses the gaming section of Nintendo products in a shop in Tokyo, Japan, May 6, 2021. (AFP)
A customer browses the gaming section of Nintendo products in a shop in Tokyo, Japan, May 6, 2021. (AFP)

Japan's Nintendo said sales of its aging Switch console almost halved in the April-June first quarter and profit slumped, falling far short of estimates.
The gaming giant sold just 2.1 million units of the Switch, which is in its eighth year, during the quarter but maintained its full-year sales forecast for 13.5 million units, Reuters said.
Nintendo has said it plans to make an announcement about a successor device in the current financial year.
Operating profit tumbled 71% to 54.5 billion yen ($365 million), more than a third below analysts' estimates.
Its mobile and intellectual property-related division also had a weak showing with revenue sliding to 14.7 billion yen, down 54% from the same period a year earlier when profit was boosted by the hit "Super Mario Bros." movie.
The company has a thin pipeline of titles announced for this year, with upcoming games including "The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom" and "Mario & Luigi: Brothership".
A new "Super Mario" film is due for release in April 2026. The company has also said it would collaborate on a live-action movie of "The Legend of Zelda".
The games industry is grappling with rising costs and weak pricing power. Sony-owned developer Bungie announced this week it is cutting almost a fifth of its workforce.
Shares in Nintendo fell 2.3% in Tokyo ahead of the earnings announcement and are up 7.6% year to date.