Cartographic support as a process: conceptual model of system and its application

The author examines some theoretical and methodological foundations of cartographic supporting scientific and technical activities. It is considered as a systemic process aimed at understanding aspects of the surrounding reality and making research and economic-management decisions using digital cartographic and geoinformation products. Interrelations and differences between cartographic support, mapping, geoinformation and other types of modeling are presented. The systems approach assumes existing of internal components, whose interrelations implement cognitive and communicative aspects of supporting. Taking into account the domestic experience, a conceptual model of the system’s structure is proposed. Basic components are represented by the result, methods and concepts, data sources, technical means and personnel. Interrelations of the components determine implementing the said process, forming properties of its outcome and improving its internal parts. The fundamental role of the identified elements in development of its functions was empirically confirmed. The advantages of the new methodological principle of cartographic support are described in detail. The proposed conceptual model allows maintaining the demand for mapping methods and specialists in implementation of scientific and technical tasks in the era of digital transformation of the society