Cadcorp, the developer of the popular Cadcorp “Spatial Information System” range of Windows based GIS software will be supplying an additional software manual to British users of Cadcorp SIS V6 that focuses exclusively on OS MasterMap.
Cadcorp has already announced powerful, yet low cost solutions for both big and small customers using OS MasterMap. The latest version of Cadcorp SIS, V6 offers both direct loading of OS MasterMap data ‘chunks’ without recourse to translation, plus user controllable bulk loading of OS MasterMap to relational databases and change-only update management via a utility called the Cadcorp SIS OS MasterMap Data Loader.
In order to grow customer awareness and smooth the transition from OS Land-Line to OS MasterMap, Cadcorp recently embarked upon documenting many issues that are integral to understanding and using this sophisticated new digital map product. The resulting new manual is entitled the ‘Cadcorp Guide to Ordnance Survey MasterMap’.
Subjects covered in this illustrated guide include: data format, supply, storage of OS MasterMap, using OS MasterMap in Cadcorp SIS, change-only update, plus a final section entitled ‘measuring up to Ordnance Survey’. This answers the very same questions published and recommended by Ordnance Survey for prospective OS MasterMap users to ask of their software vendor. This chapter can be viewed online.
Medway’s Cadcorp and Kent councils have also joined forces to legally challenge the government over plans for an airport on the Hoo Peninsula. The views of local citizens is being canvassed online and to assist this process the Cadcorp SIS Active Server Component (ASC) is being used to provide interactive mapping of the controversial site.
Stephen Byers, when Transport Secretary, put forward the serious prospect of the Hoo Peninsula being turned into another airport for SE England based upon projections that air-traffic into the region will double in the next twenty years. Plans specifically outlined a four-runway airport at Cliffe, near Rochester.
Local protest can always expected when such major infrastructure projects are proposed. However, in this case the area is of major environmental importance. Over 200 hectares of Cliffe Pools is precious for wildlife because of its salt marsh environment. It has long been renowned by bird watchers for the number and variety of birds and is also home to a number of rare species plant and animal. Protected by British and international laws, the contentious site was purchased just last year by the RSPB with views to turning into a fully managed wildlife reserve.
With the controversy moving to the courts, Medway Council has turned to its well established Web-based GIS system ‘GIS Medway Online’ (GISMO) to play a part by showing the sheer scale of the planned airport to online browsers.
GISMO as a internal council resource has been available to all 2200 PCs in Medway Council since 2000. Subsequently as an Internet service for local citizens ‘Medway maps’ gives citizens access to maps showing the location of Medway’s services and facilities. Recycling points, libraries, schools, parks, public transport and ward boundaries are some of the service provisions shown on the maps. The service was developed as part of Medway’s e-government strategy to provide electronic access to geographical information. The new maps of Cliffe Airport illustrate how forward thinking councils using GIS can address a crucial subject meaningfully and swiftly.
It has also opened an Asia Pacific Partner support office in Sydney on November 2002, senior Cadcorp executives visited the new Cadcorp office and in association with local Cadcorp staff met with Australian business partners and local customers. These partners included ISS, the NSW based local government solutions specialists, PhotoMapping Services, long established geo-solutions and data capture providers based in Victoria and FM experts, Perth Cadcentre from Western Australia. Several NSW based local councils were out in strength, these included Ryde City Council, Camden Council and Kiama Council.
