East Cambridgeshire District Council has implemented a user-friendly mapping service on its website that integrates its GIS system with Google maps following expert support from Socitm Consulting. The improved functionality provides customers with a highly efficient and easy to use mapping service and the Council aims to achieve Transactional status in the annual Better Connected survey as a result.
The project issues
The Council wanted to implement improved mapping functionality on its website to make optimal use of its GIS data for the benefit of customers and to improve its Better Connected rating. Socitm Consulting was asked to review the available options and to develop and implement the most efficient and effective solution.
The Socitm Consulting solution
We began the project by reviewing available options for improving online mapping services. This included systems deployed by other Councils, which we concluded had overly-complicated user interfaces, and the deployment of maps from the Council’s in-house GIS system, which would have been expensive to implement. We decided to develop and implement Google mapping technology which provides a simple but very powerful mapping interface, free software and the capability for integration with the Council’s GIS data.
The system we developed delivered the following features:
- Maps based on data contained within the Council’s GIS system and website to display the location of key services such as recycling centres, car parks, listed buildings, ward and parish boundaries and conservation areas within the Google maps system
- Tools to display Council data in different ways and to add display functionality, for example flood risk areas and Preservation Orders
- Google local search facilities to identify locations and directions between them
- The integration of satellite and mapping display and of Google Earth so some data sets are available for download
We also delivered a ‘Deployment Guide’, containing a skills set transfer that will enable the web management team to prioritise and develop the display of additional data sets within the mapping system.
The benefits to the client
With our expertise in the review, development and implementation of online services, we were able to support the Council in implementing a cost-effective, powerful and user-friendly mapping system with the flexibility to be developed further. As a result, the Council can provide customers with a highly efficient location and mapping service and is optimally placed to improve its rating in the annual Better Connected survey.
Project identification
Client organisation: East Cambridgeshire District Council
Client contact: Andrew Killington, Executive Director HR and IT, 0135 3616303, andrew.killington@eastcambs.gov.uk
Lead consultant: andy.grant@socitm.gov.uk
Project no: 6360