Ordnance Survey – Great Britain's national mapping agency
![Ordnance Survey home page [logo]](/images/gui/logo-os.gif){kind=logo}
Frequently asked questions
We’ve compiled a list of the questions we often receive about the Ordnance Survey Partner and Alliance initiative. We hope you find the answers useful.
- What are the benefits of joining the Ordnance Survey Licensed Partner programme?
- What if I have a business proposal that does not fit existing Ordnance Survey business models?
- Will my company qualify even if we do not directly generate revenues for Ordnance Survey?
- What do your new agreements contain?
- I have an existing agreement with you, how will this be affected by the new arrangements?
- I am an existing Licensed Partner; why should I sign the new agreement?
- How can I join the Licensed Partner programme?
What are the benefits of joining the Ordnance Survey Licensed Partner programme?
The key benefit is the opportunity to commercially exploit Ordnance Survey data. You will receive online access to data, web-based support, technical expertise, a dedicated helpline and other benefits which depend on your level of partnership. All this will enable you to develop a mutually beneficial and profitable business relationship with a world-class organisation.
What if I have a business proposal that does not fit existing Ordnance Survey business models?
If you have an innovative proposal that you believe could develop new markets or penetrate further into existing ones, and that will lead to substantial, profitable business for both our organisations, then we will certainly want to discuss the opportunity with you. An account manager will need to fully understand your own business model, market segmentation, market size, market share and so on in order to assess potential impacts across our business and help you understand our specific use contracts.
Any time that you identify a market opportunity and want to expand into new products or services, please talk to us about your idea. As a member of the Licensed Partner programme, you will automatically have access to the Developer Partner programme.
Will my company qualify for the Licensed Partner programme even if we do not directly generate revenues for Ordnance Survey?
Yes. As a Licensed Partner, you will add value by either:
- creating new products from Ordnance Survey data, and therefore generating royalties to us through the specific use contracts; or
- offering a service within which our data is used.
What do your new agreements contain?
For each Licensed Partner there is one central Framework Partner Licence. This will then be supported by specific use contracts for the markets you would like to work in – for example, navigation, LBS and so on.
I have an existing agreement with you; how will this be affected by the new arrangements?
In some cases there will be few, if any, changes to existing arrangements. We hope that you will sign over to the new agreements right from the start. Our new pricing and licensing terms are designed to provide simplicity, equity and transparency. They will make us much easier to do business with. Some existing agreements may appear to offer more favourable terms, but the new arrangements are designed to forge mutually beneficial partnerships. However, we will continue to honour existing agreements for the duration of their term.
I am an existing Licensed Partner; why should I sign the new agreement?
We believe that the new arrangements offer greater benefits to partners aiming to develop mutually profitable business relationships. Although we will honour existing arrangements, it would be a shame for you to miss out on the core business support services that we will deliver:
- online access to product and service development
- email technical helpline
- regular product briefings
- a web-enabled forum
- account management and business planning
- training and accreditation in Ordnance Survey products
- regular face to face meetings.
How can I join the Licensed Partner programme?
It’s a simple process. This is how it works:
- You complete the application form either online or via PDF
- We assess your application. If our sales support team has a query about your application we will contact you within one week.
- We arrange for an account manager to contact you to discuss the commercial arrangements. If we cannot agree to your application, we will say so as early as possible and will explain our reasons why.
- We invite you to sign the agreement and agree from the outset the level of partnership.