Why Consider GIS Support?

Geographic Information Systems are here today! Colourful and seductive, GIS offers 'status symbol' technology which many local authorities are rushing out to purchase. And the Ordnance Survey 'Service Level Agreement', has forced the pace by making 'map management' an immediate requirement.

Because typically 90% of a local authority's information is 'spatially-related', GIS can offer very significant potential benefits for the customer-oriented authority. In particular:

• direct technological benefits from improved mapping and access to information
• quantifiable benefits from increased efficiency, savings and opportunities for additional income
• qualitative benefits from enhanced service delivery, improved coordination and competitiveness

But unless selection and implementation is properly planned and rigorously undertaken, there are many pitfalls which the unwary can fall into, leading to the evaporation of potential benefits and the escalation of costs - of which the most common are:

• inadequately defining the key requirements
• concentrating on technology rather than real business needs
• not having a dedicated project leader to drive the project
• having no clear project plan backed up by adequate implementation resources
• not cultivating awareness and obtaining sufficient commitment from the top
• under-emphasising the size and timescale of the project, including data capture
• not having 'standards' for geographic data ('properties', 'streets', 'addresses')
• making the wrong choice of system through limiting the selection process too early on

Peter Thorpe has extensive experience in GIS - gained within local government, as a computer supplier and as an independent consultant. Support from Peter Thorpe Consulting is available for local authorities to enable them to get the benefits from GIS technology, whilst avoiding the pitfalls.

GIS Services from Peter Thorpe Consulting

A package of services will be put together which is tailored to meet the needs of the individual local authority. Typically these services may include:

• definition of key information requirements, on a departmental or corporate basis
• identification of the potential benefits from GIS versus the costs
• procurement support through all stages of the tendering process
• assessment of map management options in conjunction with the OS Liaison Officer
• implementation planning and support advice on data standards (including 'Land and Property' and 'Street' Gazetteers; and BS7666)
• awareness training for all levels of staff, including Chief Officers and Members
• strategy studies

For Further Information

Contact us for further information, and a printed copy of our Information Pack.
E-mail to Peter Thorpe at peter@ptcon.co.uk or telephone 01926 852799.

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