Web mapping service headlines Ordnance Survey

13 May 2009, 4:09pm

Web mapping service headlines Ordnance Survey strategy launch

Following the announcement of a new business strategy for mapping agency Ordnance Survey, further details were yesterday unveiled to an audience of industry stakeholders in London.

The event was held at NESTA, the independent organisation with the mission to “make the UK more innovative”, and saw the enhanced web mapping portal, OS OpenSpace, showcased for the first time.

The free to use service, for which the event marked the official re-launch, provides greater access to Ordnance Survey mapping than ever before. As well as new terms that allow for businesses to use the service, boundary information is also available for the first time. This will make it possible for users to display information based on administrative regions. Map ‘mash-ups’ showing MP constituencies and environmental data divided by local authority were used to demonstrate the opportunities this enhanced service offers.

Ordnance Survey Minister, Iain Wright, commented: “My announcement about the future shape of Ordnance Survey set out some key principles which we have built upon here. The new OS OpenSpace service is an excellent first step towards driving innovation and to making geographic data and services more widely available.”

Ordnance Survey’s new business strategy was announced as part of the Treasury’s Operational Efficiency Programme report and follows a review into government Trading Funds. It set out a series of reforms for creating simpler and easier access to geographic data. Since then the strategy has been posted on the Ordnance Survey website and made open for comments.

Details of an ‘innovation network’, called GeoVation, were also unveiled. The network will help individuals as well as small and large organisations to develop ideas and deliver projects through making connections with other network members who can help them with the development of technology, services, products and financial backing.

Sir Rob Margetts CBE, Ordnance Survey Non-Executive Chair, commented: "Today marks a milestone in the implementation of our new business strategy. Our goal is to grow the scale and scope of use of geographic information for business, social and individual use and I believe that we are well on the way to achieving that."

Ordnance Survey Director General and Chief Executive Vanessa Lawrence CB added: “The strategy represents the opening of the next exciting chapter in Ordnance Survey’s long history. We are committed to both maintaining the highest quality geographic data, that will continue to underpin our daily lives, as well as increasing opportunities for innovative new consumer and business ideas.”

Under the new strategy Ordnance Survey will continue to be self-funded and earn revenue by licensing its data, but it will make sure it is easier for customers and other businesses to access its data and services.

To view and comment on the strategy visit:

GeoConnexion UK