Geo-data must not be sacrificed amidst public...

03 August 2010, 9:00am

Geo-data must not be sacrificed amidst public sector cuts

Lack of strategies to deal with data will lead to further inefficiency Crowd sourced data loses its appeal

With mounting concerns over public sector cuts and continued business cost cutting, the treatment of geo-data is working its way to the top of the CIO’s agenda.

In a survey by the Association for Geographic Information (AGI) and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, in which over 100 public and private sector organisations were polled, 96 per cent saw geographic information as a business enabler.

Opportunities in a changing world survey 2010 found that 73 per cent of those asked believe better use of data in the next 12 months is imperative – in an environment where they “have to do more with less.”

Geo-data includes digital mapping systems and geographic information systems, plus location based information or global positioning systems which are used extensively to support public sector service delivery, as well as for commercial activities.

Typical public sector uses of geo-data include command and control centres for emergency services, environmental protection and risk management systems. In the private sector geo-data is used to underpin insurance claims and policies, land and property searches as well as for marketing and demographic analysis. Geo-data enables public services such as refuse collection to function as well as informing store planning for large supermarkets and retailers.

Despite the fact geo-data is deemed business critical, nearly two thirds of respondents in the survey stated their organisation did not have a data strategy. With the increase in interest in “cloud computing” and distributed services, this may result in significant innovation around data and software use being stifled.

Simon Doyle, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, said:

“The value of geo-data is increasing, now that organisations are facing and making tougher choices. They are seeing data as an important asset to inform these choices. Data relating to place, what we call “geo-data”, is at the heart of every business or government department and enables the right choices to be made to increase operational efficiency and to focus on delivering effective frontline services.”

“Worryingly, a lack of a data strategy can lead to inefficient storage and retrieval of information; higher cost, as data is purchased more than once or not re-used, and also the inaccurate understanding and interpretation of that information within decision making processes.”

Chris Holcroft, CEO, AGI, added:

“There is an increasing awareness and understanding of the role geographic information has to play in driving efficiencies and meeting the challenges faced in today’s economic and policy climate. The advent of “location aware” devices such as the iPhone and popular web based offerings such as Google Maps has also seen a growth in the importance of geographic information.”

“Recent announcements by Prime Minister, David Cameron, reflect a renewed commitment by government to focus on local issues and local decision making. The “Big Society - Your Square Mile” initiative will rely on accurate and timely data, which will be geographic by their very nature.”

The three data types identified as the most useful were national or pan-European mapping agency data (27%), national public sector data holdings (22%), or from an organisation’s own data holdings. Crowd sourced data, commercial data providers and “Web 2.0” data providers such as Google and OpenStreet Map failed to impress.

www.pwc.com/uk

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