In today’s age of ‘Big Data,’ access to larger information-rich datasets is essential for the growth of a company and to help clients make more informed decisions. TEP is continually embracing new opportunities and finding ways to improve our access to high-quality spatial datasets. TEP is proud to announce that we have been accepted as an Ordnance Survey (OS) Partner. This means that TEP is now able to access OS products and services directly from the UK’s National Mapping Agency. This enables us to acquire higher-quality spatial data quicker and easier than before, which will further improve our service to clients.
OS data is integral to our work at TEP. Whether it is for small local developments or national critical infrastructure projects, everything shares the same key OS data. Utilising this data through traditional maps and interactive visual representations, allows TEP to effectively communicate our environmental advice to clients.
Being an OS Partner presents multiple benefits for our clients. We now have instant access to the highest quality GIS products in the UK, such as OS MasterMap, which are readily available for use in our projects. This means we can offer clients high-quality mapping outputs in a more cost-effective way. Additionally, our agreements with OS reduces many restrictions usually associated with data distribution, so it is now easier for clients to share project information with us. As a Partner, we are also granted early access to prototype products and services. This will provide us with an insight into market trends and determine what will be available to clients in the future.
To allow quick and easy access to high-quality OS data for any project, TEP’s GIS team is developing a bespoke ordering system, with a user-friendly interface for staff to acquire OS products for their projects. This will reduce the administration time associated with data acquisition, allowing more time for staff to commit to client projects.
Furthermore, at the end of last year, Bob Chell was elected to form The Ordnance Survey’s Partner Advisory Council (PAC). This will be a select group of elected representatives from Partner organisations, who will provide feedback to OS on both current and emerging products. Following the elections in November 2020, we are proud to announce that Andy Harney, TEP’s Principal Spatial Developer, has been selected as one of the 11 members and will now represent the opinions and interests of the OS community. Andy has over 14 years’ experience working directly with OS data and comments: “Part of my role at TEP is to lead technical GIS innovation and develop new innovative data-driven solutions. Being part of the PAC means I can champion the value of OS data, push innovation and promote new ideas to others in the community.”
Stefan Wells, OS Head of Partners, said: “The OS Partner Advisory Council is an important group who play a vital role in representing over 1000 organisations. The insights and feedback from PAC help OS in a number of ways from product development and licensing improvements to understanding market trends and how geospatial is supporting millions of end customers.”
To find out how TEP’s GIS team can be part of your project, please email gis@tep.uk.com for more information.
Or to discover more from the team click here.
