Mapping the Where: Knowvation GS and Public-Facing Digital Collections

Knowvation’s geospatial roots run deep. The 2015 rebrand was unveiled at GEOINT, and the platform’s geospatial extension, Knowvation GS, remains central to its identity. PTFS says GS adds geographic relevance to unstructured data such as pictures, PDFs, contracts, spreadsheets, and maps, helping organizations understand the “where” behind information they already hold [1]. It supports GIS datasets, imagery, and shapefiles and integrates with common GIS and CAD applications [1]. Using a map interface built on Esri and Google Earth options, it shows the location of retrieved data as users run full-text searches [2]. Geospatial AI Solutions with Knowvation GS – PTFS +2

The technology has been used in national security settings. PTFS literature describes Knowvation GS supporting State Department administrator and end-user access to building files in every country in the world, with cleared staff processing classified documents in a secure environment [3]. More recently, San Diego County used Knowvation to move its in-person survey records process to a cloud-based platform with geospatially driven search, improving public access [4]. PTFSCarahsoft

Knowvation has also powered public libraries of government information. The best-documented example is Utah. PTFS built the Utah Government Digital Library (UGDL) on Knowvation, giving access to over 115,000 publications from state agencies, cities, counties, and Utah-related federal sources, some dating back more than 170 years [5]. State records show the collection grew steadily. In fiscal year 2020, Utah’s Digital Services team added 4,180 publications, bringing the total to more than 86,000 [6]. PTFSCCE

That project also shows how policy, not technology, can decide a system’s fate. After revisions to the Utah State Library Code removed the requirement to collect state documents, new additions to the UGDL stopped in June 2025, and the state said the library would stay accessible through September 2025 [7]. For anyone evaluating Knowvation-based public portals, it’s a reminder to check whether a given deployment is still live. utah

References

1. PTFS. “Geospatial AI Solutions with Knowvation GS.” https://ptfs.com/knowvation-gs/
2. Open Fifth. “Knowvation.” https://openfifth.co.uk/products/knowvation/
3. PTFS. “PTFS Literature.” https://test.ptfs.com/resources/literature/
4. Carahsoft. “San Diego County Modernizes Survey Records Access.” https://www.carahsoft.com/resources/28538-san-diego-county-modernizes-survey-records-access
5. PTFS. “Utah Government Digital Library: How Knowvation Expanded Digital Information for Utah State Library Users.” https://ptfs.com/2024/05/20/utah-state-library-utah-government-digital-library/
6. Utah.gov. “State Library FY20.” https://community.utah.gov/state-library-fy20/
7. Utah State Library Division. “State Publications.” https://library.utah.gov/?p=527