Decision Map - Changing the Landscape for Business and Communities

2011-11-30

As of today private companies, public bodies, academic institutions, media and citizens will have access to a unique new web site which will change how important decisions are made. Decisionmap.ie is the result of a collaboration between Ordnance Survey Ireland (OSi) and Twelve Horses digital agency.

The web site allows users to view and analyse demographic data from a range of different sources with reference to a map viewer that helps users relate that data to a place, and through ground breaking data visualisation techniques, that helps users understand more about the data.

Decisionmap.ie utilises the Esri ArcGIS Web API (Flex) for an intuitive, visually rich and responsive user interface onto the supporting web services, consisting of dynamic and cached maps (including amongst others OSi’s Map Genie). In addition, Esri’s ArcGIS technology (server and desktop) was used to design, build and publish each of those supporting web services.

OSi and Twelve Horses are calling this the creation of a single information map.This data already exists from other sources, such as census data, the live register and local authority data. The beauty of this system is that it synthesises these multiple data sources in one single location. Access to the site will be free.

“This web site will make it very easy to access complex data and to analyse it,” said Geraldine Ruane, Chief Executive, OSi. “It will be a powerful decision-making tool. We bring together authoritative data from a number of sources, and viewing this data on our information maps will help to highlight patterns that would otherwise be difficult to spot. For example, if you were an incoming business looking for a place to locate, you’d be able to look at an area and view on one easy-to-read map the number of third-level graduates, the level of unemployment, the number of houses and other socio-economic data.”

‘Ghost estates’ provide an example of how this website could be used in decision-making. Currently, the data on these estates is compiled by the Housing Agency of the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government in the Unfinished Houses Developments Register. By incorporating this data into Decisionmap.ie, it can then be put in the context of other important decision-making criteria such as geographic location, infrastructure, population and employment trends.

The ability to bring these multiple sources of data together in a single information map enables better and more efficient decisions to be made based on the demographics of the area. Similarly, businesses will now be able to identify customers and patterns with precision, allowing for the greater tailoring of marketing strategies.

Mr Hugh Mangan, Business and Marketing Manager, OSi said:

“Decisionmap.ie is a new way to view complex statistical data online, in a simple and intuitive manner. The aim of Decisionmap.ie is to promote the use of authoritative data as a driver for efficiency and reform by putting the data in the hands of the people who need it most. Users will be able to compare and contrast data in a number of different ways, from unemployment levels in a particular area to population trends from current and previous CSO statistics. The benefits of this collaboration between public and private sector are quite significant.”

“For the first time, in advance of the release of the Census 2011, users will have a say in how the system develops so that it delivers benefits to them, regardless of whether their business is concerned with identifying and connecting with new customers, or targeting public services for the best locations.”

This means that the web site will constantly evolve in response to the user’s requirements. “Decisionmap.ie is a collaborative project with a difference,” said Ms Gabrielle Stafford, Managing Director, Twelve Horses. “We call it an ‘evolutionary public service’ as the way people interact with the web site will help us to adapt and develop the site in response to the user’s requirements. This is quite unique for a public service website but we want this to be a service that everyone can use and interact with, from industry and public sector organisations to media and the general public.” OSi and Twelve Horses decided to partner on this project as both organisations saw the benefits of combining their expertise and resources to provide a unique service to the public.

“We’re delighted to have delivered something so innovative in collaboration with a leading-edge digital agency,” said Geraldine Ruane. “OSi is the National Mapping Agency and our expertise is providing accurate and up-to-date geographic data which is relied upon by Government, business and the public. With this web site, we have combined our resources and expertise with that of a cutting-edge digital agency to provide a unique service that is not available anywhere else in Ireland. It really shows the opportunities that can be created when public and private sectors come together.”

The web site is free to use and free to access and is available at: www.decisionmap.ie