17 November 2004

Nottingham locates online map service

Some of the world’s most advanced digital geographic information is showcased on a public web service launched in Nottingham today, GIS Day (17 November).

Ordnance Survey data and ESRI Geographic Information Systems (GIS) form the backbone of Nomad -www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/nomad - a one-stop shop enabling citizens to liaise online with Nottingham City Council.

Nomad, standing for Nottingham Online Maps and Data, allows users to report information to the council, answer their own council-related questions, and make fast, accurate decisions at the touch of button.

The site reflects government policy on the electronic delivery of local authority services. Two 'priority outcomes' for public access - the presentation of local roadworks and other environmental property information - specifically require online map-based data.   Users of Nomad can directly report street lighting problems and this is set to be developed along with other council services. It also allows council officers to continually improve the quality of the data.

"It will help with a wide range of council services," says the council’s GIS manager, Mick Dunn. "You can view information about local facilities, print out a map, view aerial photos, find your nearest council facility, and let us know about a problem. As the site is available to all, it will also help council staff with evidence-based decision making and policy forming."

Neil Wilkins, Ordnance Survey’s Public Sector and Utilities Marketing Manager, says: "We are delighted that our nationally consistent, intelligent digital data is supporting such a valuable public resource. The site will help the citizens of Nottingham access the information they need while helping the council to pursue its e-government agenda." 

Datasets involved in Nomad include OS MasterMap, the most highly detailed and up-to-date colour, digital mapping currently available in Britain. Linked into this is the city council’s environmental, highways, demographic and leisure data.

Nomad uses a combination of ESRI software. ArcSDE is used to access the large and multiple datasets stored in Oracle. Dynamic maps and GIS data are then delivered via the web through ArcIMS.

Notes for Editors

• About ESRI (UK)
  ESRI (UK) delivers enterprise geographic information solutions to organisations in both public and private sectors in the UK. Founded 25 years ago, and with over 2900 customers, it is one of the largest and most experienced Geographic Information Systems (GIS) companies, combining market leading products, UK specific services, applications and data, to local authorities, central government, utilities and telecoms, defence and business markets. Examples of ESRI (UK)’s customers include Channel 4 Time Team, The Environment Agency, Leeds City Council, Metropolitan Police Service, Norwich Union, Transco and Westminster City Council. ESRI (UK) is the sole distributor of ESRI Inc.’s world leading ArcGIS suite of products. For more information on ESRI (UK) please visit the website at www.esriuk.com.
• About GIS Day
  GIS Day is a grassroots event that formalises the practice of geographic information systems (GIS) users and vendors of opening their doors to schools, businesses, and the general public to showcase real-world applications of this important technology. The event is principally sponsored by the National Geographic Society, the Association of American Geographers, University Consortium for Geographic Information Science, the United States Geological Survey, The Library of Congress, Sun Microsystems, Hewlett–Packard, and ESRI. For more information, visit www.gisday.com.

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