Following a change in the Ordnance Survey (OS) licensing agreement that comes into effect today (18 November), partners of OS will now be able to compete on a level playing field for the provision of OS mapping and data. The announcement has been welcomed by mapping and data specialists Landmark Information Group as a positive step forward towards a more competitive industry. Landmark currently delivers OS mapping through Promap, which is the UK’s leading online digital mapping tool for property professionals. The licensing revisions will specifically impact the current OS density and price models1 and will mean that OS partners such as Landmark will be able to sell large areas of mapping at competitive prices. For the first time the changes will also allow OS providers to sell all available OS data, in particular Landmark will be introducing a number of new data sets such as the Integrated Transport Network (ITN) layer and VectorMap Local.
The changes are likely to provide significant benefits to property and planning professionals who require mapping and data exports for projects involving non-typical land coverage for developments and projects, as well as those working in sectors such as utilities and transport.
The announcement follows the previous government’s drive to make public data transparent and accessible to all, which placed pressure on OS to adopt a more balanced approach to its licensing terms and conditions.
David Dixon, Managing Director at Landmark Promap, comments:
“The changes announced to the OS licensing agreements, which in part become live this week, represent a step forward for those involved in the supply and use of information in a locational context. It will increase innovation and competitiveness in the industry by potentially allowing resellers of OS products to develop platforms and technologies for easing the accessibility, management and use of data, where previously it was not economically attractive. As a company we will be embracing the changes, executing plans to offer services with greater benefits to our existing customers as well as to the new audiences, which will result from these changes and our offerings in the future.”
Promap has over 27,000 users made up of surveyors, architects, developers, house builders, utilities, engineers, environmental consultants and property professionals, who require immediate access to Ordnance Survey mapping and data. Promap offers an easy ordering and management interface to allow users quick and easy access to OS mapping data and complementary geospatial services.
For further information about what the licensing changes will mean visit www.promap.co.uk.
