Derby City Council Standardises Spatial Information

Derby City Council, UK, has embarked on an ambitious plan to make ‘location’ central to all that the council does. The council’s infrastructure partner, Serco, procured the UK-based software developer Cadcorp to provide its spatial information system technology as a new approach to the GIS and mapping technologies currently in use.

The move is part of the council’s 'One Derby, One Council' transformation programme in which the consolidation of core ICT systems is anticipated to lead to more cost-effective and integrated service delivery. The council is aiming to make multi-million pound savings by developing more self-service, more effective integration, and removing duplication of systems. Corporate GIS is seen as a fundamental enabler to achieve this, providing the key building block to make more efficient use of its data by removing dependence on paper-based records.

The technology will be used to provide expert and non-expert users alike with online access to geographic information, irrespective of whether they are located in council offices or working remotely. A key requirement of the project is to integrate GIS technology with existing IT systems. These include CRM, e-planning, routing, fleet management, highway and bridge management, drainage, logistics, education and social care.