South Somerset District Council (UK) Goes Live with Customers First Program Powered by Intergraph's Geospatial Data Management Solution

Web-based system links spatial data with corporate systems to improve customer services

HUNTSVILLE, Ala., Nov. 3, 2004 -- Intergraph (NASDAQ: INGR) Mapping and Geospatial Solutions today announced the successful rollout of a Geospatial Data Management solution as part of South Somerset District Council's Customers First Program. Located in southwest England, South Somerset District Council is one of two governing authorities that share responsibility for the provision of local services to 150,000 residents in a 370 square mile region. The Council's Customer First Program, initiated to improve service delivery, provides government personnel the information that is required to quickly address customer inquiries and requests via Internet access, thus eliminating the need to access back office systems.

Intergraph's GeoMedia(R) WebMap technology is providing the corporate GIS component for the Customer First Program. Using Intergraph solutions, employees can readily display spatial information related to daily tasks ranging from revenue collection, housing standards, pollution and pest control, to the provision of housing and housing benefits, leisure and recreation facilities and waste collection, thus enhancing response.

South Somerset District Council recognized the functionality benefits along with the low-cost advantages of a Web-centric geospatial data management solution. Bruce Soord, Spatial Systems Manager, South Somerset District Council explained, "Recently, employees have realized that viewing and querying data spatially is an essential part of their job. So, rolling out a Web-based solution delivers maximum geospatial functionality to all kinds of people, no longer confining the efficiencies of GIS to specialists such as planning, landcharges and environmental health. In addition, being Web-based keeps specialized software seats to a minimum, further reducing initial system investment and maintenance costs."

GeoMedia WebMap with its open foundation and browser-based technology seamlessly integrates with the enterprise's Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system and easily delivers spatial data created using other department systems that use different formats and databases, such as planning and land charges. With the new geospatial solution, employees can use a common browser to query the enterprise's central gazetteer and locate properties based on postal code, street or address searches. GeoMedia WebMap is automatically launched from the CRM system to give employees a map-based display when handling requests and issues such as abandoned vehicle reports, conservation location questions or waste collection schedules.

Currently, South Somerset has completed the intranet roll out of the web system to staff and plans to make Internet access available for public users during the third quarter of this year.

About Intergraph Mapping and Geospatial Solutions 

Intergraph Mapping and Geospatial Solutions is a leading geospatial solutions provider for the following markets: local, state and federal government; transportation; utilities; communications; location-based services; photogrammetry; remote sensing; cartography; and military and intelligence.

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