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Felt (felt.com)

1382 points by bookofjoe · 1530 days ago · 166 comments on HN

Article summary

Felt is a cloud-native GIS platform that allows users to visualize and annotate maps with ease, integrating with various data sources and providing features such as geocoding, data exports, and permission control. The platform aims to make map-making accessible to everyone, not just professionals. Felt has obtained SOC 2 Type 2 compliance, ensuring the security of user data. The company has also introduced various features and tools, including a Python SDK and QGIS plug-in, to facilitate the creation of geospatial applications.

Main themes

  • GIS and mapping
  • cloud-native platforms
  • data visualization
  • security and compliance
  • market competition
  • user experience
  • geospatial industry trends
  • customization and complexity

What commenters say

  • Some commenters appreciate the potential of Felt but are deterred by the requirement to create an account to use the platform.
  • The decision to require an account may be due to server costs, fraud, and the need to distinguish between legitimate and low-intent users.
  • Felt's focus on making map-making accessible to everyone may be a winning approach, as existing GIS software is often targeted towards professionals and can be difficult to use.
  • The market for GIS products is challenging, with many customers requiring custom solutions and being unwilling to pay for generic products.
  • Some commenters believe that Felt's product is not complex enough to compete with established players like Esri, which has a strong projection engine and a wide range of products for niche industries.
  • Others argue that Felt's simplicity and ease of use may be an advantage, allowing it to appeal to a broader range of users and potentially disrupting the market.
  • The requirement for an account may be a deliberate design choice to encourage users to engage more deeply with the platform and provide feedback.
  • The geospatial market is dominated by Esri, which has a significant moat due to its entrenched position, wide range of products, and strong partner network.