GIS Infrastructure for Local Authorities: the Getmapping Integrated Solution

Map data is not just for the GIS department. In the Geographic Information industry we've known this for a long time now. We are always looking for ways to more efficiently share our data; whether it be high resolution aerial photography or the locations of traffic incidents. It's what we do.

However, it's not always that easy. We've got to think about the data version, security, projection, accuracy, ownership, copyright, maintenance, file size and format. We've then got to decide how to deliver that data to someone, taking into account what systems they use, the formats they can use and how they intend on using it. Ok, you get the picture, it's a minefield!

So what can we do to make this easier for ourselves? Well the first step is trusting the tools you use. A GIS Infrastructure is needed that allows you and your colleagues to store, protect, manipulate and share your data in a sensible and efficient way. At Getmapping, we've created an infrastructure that we believe covers this, but we've taken it a lot further to help tackle the problems that GIS teams in Local Authorities face in the current economic climate of doing more for less. It's called the Getmapping Integrated Solution. Let me give you a quick summary of what it does, and why you should consider it for your Local Authority.

Firstly, it is extremely good at data sharing, but responsible data sharing. The ISM module is a Spatial Data Warehouse that let's you manage your data with MapInfo, ArcGIS or CAD (or all of them at the same time), and then publish the data through controlled Web Feature Services (WFS). By using Web Feature Services, you know that your recipient is going to be viewing the most up-to-date data available, instantly over the Internet. No more DVDs of out-of-date data getting lost in the post!

The second part of this infrastructure is District Online, a web-GIS tool that lets your colleagues view GIS data in seconds. District Online also has powerful search, print, measurement, and analysis tools as well as 24/7 login access from anywhere in the World. It stacks up to be a pretty important tool for a Local Authority by giving more people more access to this geographic data that plays a large part in their day-to-day work.

The Getmapping Integrated Solution has many other modules that make up this powerful infrastructure but for this blog i'll just cover one more, our Map Streaming & Data Hosting Service. This uses OGC-compliant web feeds (WMS/WFS) to stream aerial photography, Ordnance Survey mapping and other 3rd party data directly to your users. This means all users of MapInfo, ArcGIS, CAD products or District Online can get access to national coverages of mapping data without needing to contact the GIS team. It's very fast and performs well over broadband or mobile connections. The Data Hosting element of this module means that the Local Authority can take advantage of all the archive mapping they have stored in cupboards by getting Getmapping to convert them into their own WMS feeds. Again, this gives more people access to this interesting data.

The Getmapping Integrated Solution is working very well at Bath & North East Somerset as you'll be able to read in this case study we recently carried out. If you'd like more information or would like me to meet you to discuss it please get in touch in any of these ways; webgis@getmapping.com, twitter @CMewseGM, add me on LinkedIn, or contact Getmapping's sales team on 01252845444 and they'll put you through to me (Chris Mewse).

Let's make data sharing easier with this new product that adopts modern technologies to solve these problems!

Milton Keynes parishes join Parish Online

We are pleased to announce that all 47 parishes in Milton Keynes have joined Parish Online.

We are seeing more and more that Parish Clerks, Councillors and in this case, the Local Authority, realising the power of this online mapping tool. It's simplicity, wealth of mapping information and easy-to-use GIS tools prove indispensable for those managing the Parish Councils in the UK.

With increasing emphasis by the UK coalition government on promoting Localism, the low-cost Parish Online service ticks all the boxes by automatically feeding important local and national mapping information to the Parish administrators.

The parishes in Milton Keynes can now access information such as; Tree Preservation Orders, Listed Building locations and conservation areas. This mapping and Local Authority information all helps the Parish to understand their environment and make more informed decisions at the most local level.

We'd like to thanks MK Council and all the enthusiastic parish administrators for joining the Parish Online community.

The Parish Online 30 day free trial is still available to individual parishes. It can also be purchased by the Local Authority as a group. Please contact us to find out how to do this.