Cadcorp desktop and web based GIS software together with Lovell Johns provide GIS capability for Wilbourn Associates and GreenLightReport. Following a thorough competitive tendering and software evaluation process, Wilbourn Associates has chosen Lovell Johns and Cadcorp to provide an online map ordering system and associated back office GIS software.
Wilbourn Associates set up and registered a new subsidiary company, Green ASAP Ltd, which trades primarily as a web based company.
The Green ASAP website offers, amongst other things, a GreenLight Report in which a user can specify a geographic location using address based searching to order an environmental risk assessment. Underpinning this report offering is the deployment of a transactional website process and back office GIS system capable of handling such enquiries and of processing orders.
In development of the online ordering system, Lovell Johns firstly liaised with Wilbourn to fine tune the details then wrote the necessary software to deliver the website experience required. This ordering system, developed by Lovell Johns, was integrated with Cadcorp’s web-based GIS software, GeognoSIS and deployment licences were provided for the intranet mapping order processing server. For the back office GIS and data system requirements, Lovell Johns developed a VB.NET application linked to Cadcorp SIS Map Modeller and Map Editor desktop GIS software.
Once a user has selected a report type, report purpose and property address, GeognoSIS provides a map showing the location of the property using OS MasterMap® Topography Layer data. This allows the user to confirm the correct location for the report before they submit a request. In order to provide a wider context to the view a separate key map is also displayed using the Ordnance Survey 1:50 000 Scale Colour Raster mapping product.
Amongst the reasons why the Cadcorp SIS - Spatial Information Systems product family proved to be a good technical match for the project was its ability to load, maintain and interrogate national coverage of OS MasterMap data stored centrally in a PostgreSQL object-relational database, using the PostGIS spatial database extension (http://postgis.refractions.net/). PostGIS is one of the large number of CAD, GIS and database formats supported by Cadcorp SIS, including all Ordnance Survey map formats.
Once the request for the report has been submitted, qualified Wilbourn Associates Environmental Surveyors using Cadcorp SIS desktop Map Editor licences produce the report. To make this process as streamlined as possible all of the environmental risk data is preloaded into PostGIS. To produce the report the Surveyor is automatically prompted to respond to a comprehensive list of questions and is asked to use their professional judgement based upon the mapping overlays shown in Map Editor. The Lovell Johns developed software then produces the GreenLight Report which is automatically attached to an email and sent back to the client.
In addition to the core use of ordering and producing GreenLight Reports, the scalability of the back office Cadcorp SIS and associated PostGIS database architecture has enabled Wilbourn to spread the use of GIS through the environmental consultancy side of the business with some cost savings already being achieved.
James Corry of Wilbourn Associates explained, ”After the tendering process, which was purposefully very detailed and considered, it was clear that the Lovell Johns proposal with Cadcorp SIS for the GIS element was the only response which had the understanding and fitness for purpose we were looking for. The linkages between the Cadcorp GIS and the Lovell Johns written software are seamless and have resulted in a very efficient and flexible system which was developed and delivered on time and within the allocated budget.”
David Stephens, managing director, Lovell Johns commented, ‘It was a carefully specified project with tight deadlines. Our existing relationship with Cadcorp was invaluable in ensuring the project ran smoothly.’’
Mike O’Neil, managing director, Cadcorp said, “This was an interesting project for Cadcorp to be involved in. We were very pleased with the constructive relationship we formed with Wilbourn Associates and to have another opportunity to work with Lovell Johns”.
About Wilbourn Associates
Wilbourn Associates are the UK’s leading practice of Chartered Environmental Surveyors providing advice on the environment, contaminated land and the resulting impacts upon all forms of Property, Land and Construction. The practice bridges the chasm between the world of environmental science and the market place by offering real estate solutions to environmental problems.
The practice was formed in 1993 and has developed a significant reputation for quality advice in all aspects of environmental real estate consulting. Wilbourn Associates is an ISO 9000: 2000 accredited company and in 2006 were awarded the investors in people standard.
In 2007 Wilbourn Associates set up a new subsidiary, namely http://www.greenasap.co.uk, with the aim of providing no nonsense environmental hazard information relating to residential property. The GreenLight Report gives customers vital information in order that they can make an informed decision about whether to proceed with a purchase - and avoid splashing out cash needlessly on solicitors’ surveys.
More information is available about GreenASAP and Wilbourn Associates at:
http://www.greenlightreport.co.uk
Monday 12 October 2009
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