Getmapping to Host ‘All Wales Mapping Services Framework’ Datasets

Getmapping, UK, has won a 3-year contract to host the ‘All Wales Mapping Services Framework’ (AWMS) datasets. The framework will provide a cloud-hosted base mapping service covering the whole of Wales including a 2km buffer along the Welsh border with England. Accessed through desktop GIS, mobile or web mapping applications, the service will be available to Public Sector Mapping Agreement (PSMA) members including local authorities, police, fire and rescue organisations, national parks and Public Health Wales.

Under the framework, sole supplier Getmapping will provide OGC-compliant data feeds as WMS, WFS and WMTS, to enable consumption by any OGC software package or web browser. Getmapping’s data centre will host the complete range of Ordnance Survey premium mapping including MasterMap, AddressBase, plus OS OpenData. In addition to the provision of Ordnance Survey Mapping and its own aerial photography, Getmapping have also agreed to host and stream a range of third party datasets. These include historic mapping and historic aerial photography, provided at both national and regional levels to member organisations. All map datasets will be automatically updated as and when Ordnance Survey releases its dataset updates.

Getmapping will also host four epochs of aerial photography dating from 2000 to 2014, Colour Infrared (CIR) imagery and height data comprising a 2m surface model and a 5m terrain model. Under AWMS arrangements, signatories to the framework will contract directly with Getmapping.

Timesaving

This is a comprehensive collection of datasets which will be available to all public sector organisations within Wales, said Peter Bonham, Getmapping’s business manager. With Getmapping doing the heavy lifting, organisations will be able to make considerable savings in terms of IT infrastructure and in the time taken to manage the data and all updates. 

With the mounting financial pressures being placed upon the Welsh Public Sector, innovative use of ICT has enabled for the first time a single, consistent map service across Wales, said Kevin Williams, IT Consultant at Neath Port Talbot Council which handled the procurement. This has resulted in the freeing up of valuable staff time to help counter the pressure on Council budgets.  In the past, the administration of mapping data was very labour-intensive and the process replicated across most of the 30 plus bodies who are taking part in the framework contract. The contract has become an enabler for collaboration across the GIS community in Wales and the benefits are already being realised.  The Getmapping service will be used by council staff in their business, and to underpin websites and mobile applications resulting in improved, faster, high quality, consistent and easier to use maps for the public.  The service will also provide a high-availability base for cross-boundary applications such as Emergency Planning.