07 April 2008

Housing associations set to unlock the power of location

Housing associations from across the country are being invited to attend two events about how geographic information (GI) can help them deliver greater efficiency and better services.

The seminars, entitled "Delivering performance, efficiency and customer service using location data", will give delegates the chance to hear from colleagues at housing associations already benefiting from location-based information.

Ordnance Survey’s portfolio of digital mapping products are powerful business tools. For housing associations they can provide a visual element to anything from asset and portfolio management to customer care and long-term strategic planning.

The events will also see the unveiling of Gi4Housing.com – a website portal for housing managers that is being sponsored by Ordnance Survey.

Justin Chamberlin of Saxon Weald Housing Association believes Gi4Housing.com will allow greater sharing of knowledge and skills. “The idea for Gi4Housing came about due to perceived lack of support, networks and skills within the housing environment. It appeared that whilst there were pockets of people doing excellent things with GI and working in the housing field, there wasn't any real continuity, best‑practice examples or communication between these individuals and organisations.

"The idea for Gi4Housing was to try and breakdown these barriers and provide a central repository of information, examples of GIS in use, best-practice examples and useful links, and ultimately a forum which would focus on housing issues."

Seminar venues are being held in RIBA’s London head office on 13 May and Bridgewater Hall in Manchester on 21 May. As well as speakers, there will be exhibition displays from Ordnance Survey partners and Ordnance Survey Mapping and Data Centres, highlighting the many services available to housing associations.

Matthew Lawrence, at Ordnance Survey, comments, “This year’s seminars are open to a wider audience than ever before. We want to demonstrate that the uses of GI are really wide ranging so, as well as housing associations, we’re inviting housing departments and arms-length management organisations.

"I believe that anyone managing a property portfolio would be interested in the role of GI and would benefit from coming along."

Places are still available at both events and a registration form can be obtained by emailing matthew.lawrence@ordnancesurvey.co.uk

---

Head of Corporate Communications - Rob Andrews

Email: rob.andrews@ordnancesurvey.co.uk

Phone: (+44) 023 8079 2265

Senior Communications & PR Officer - Paul Beauchamp

Email: paul.beauchamp@ordnancesurvey.co.uk

Phone: (+44) 023 8079 2568

Press Office fax: (+44) 023 8030 5295