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UK Councils To Deliver More Location-Based Services To Support Citizen Self-Service

New study from Pitney Bowes Business Insight finds significant opening up of local authority geospatial data

Windsor, Berks UK – 29 July 2010 – UK local authorities are increasing the number of public-facing services with access to geospatial data, according to a new research report commissioned by Pitney Bowes Business Insight.  Over the next six months, UK councils expect to provide more location-based services to the public as online mapping interfaces become a common part of citizen self-service applications.

The study, “Understanding the Future of GIS Usage in the UK Public Sector”, was undertaken in June 2010 by K2 Advisory and surveyed 100 GIS practitioners working for local authority organisations in the UK.  The report, which is available for download at http://goto.pbinsight.com/GISfuture/, found that:

• 44% of local authorities have recently been involved with projects to provide the public with access to mapping data, which was previously only for internal use

• 73% of local authorities expected to provide more location-based services to the public within the next six months

• 47% of local authorities have integrated GIS with core applications such as CRM and ERP systems, for more informed analysis and decision-making

“We are at the start of an information revolution, where previously hidden data is being opened up to the public to improve the services they use,” said Steve Deaville,  Head of Public Sector Strategy, Pitney Bowes Business Insight. “Local authorities are leading the drive to make online information and services more accessible to everybody.  The release of location-based data in particular is leading to new ways of improving citizen self-services via easy-to-use, interactive mapping interfaces on council websites.  These might include ‘where’s my nearest?’ enquiries or reporting issues in the built environment such as faulty streetlights, abandoned vehicles or illegal fly-tipping. 

“Not only does better access to online self-services lead to an increased ‘feel good’ factor among the public, but also frees up the time of front line staff tasked with answering incoming queries, leading to improved efficiencies and cost savings.”

The report also found that the growing integration of location-based data into core applications such as CRM and ERP systems has enabled increased sharing of information with subcontractors, such as utilities companies, allowing faster and more accurate decision making.  Transport, traffic and highways management is the area which has seen the greatest increase in the use of geospatial data, while the second highest increase is in emergency planning.

“Councils have long been accused of failing to sufficiently co-ordinate utilities’ roadworks, but our research shows that there is now much greater sharing of information between local authorities and sub-contractors via location-based data,” commented Dr Katy Ring, Director of K2 Advisory and co-author of the report.  “We also found that GIS professionals in local authorities acknowledge that sharing this sort of data can significantly simplify relationship management with the many different parties they have to co-ordinate and liaise with on a regular basis.”

Pitney Bowes Business Insight is addressing this critical requirement through its Location Aware solutions and Data-as-a-Service capabilities, comprising Location Intelligence, Data Management and Customer Communications Management, which enable customers to harness the power of the ‘where factor’ in their operational, business, and strategic decisions.

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For further information, please contact:
Joe Banks / Robert Hickling
Say Communications
+44 (0)20 8971 6400
PBBI@saycomms.co.uk

About Pitney Bowes Business Insight
Pitney Bowes Business Insight, a division of Pitney Bowes Software Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pitney Bowes Inc., helps organisations to acquire, serve and grow customer relationships.  Our leading-edge solutions in the areas of Customer Intelligence, Customer Communications and Customer Care enhance our customers’ operational systems and workflows, enabling them to manage their customer relationships more effectively.  We offer unique and compelling capabilities, including location intelligence; GIS; predictive analytics; data quality, management and integration; and customer communications management.  In combination, our solutions and capabilities deliver customer insights that create competitive advantages.  Leading companies, government agencies and systems integrators rely on our global expertise and decades of leadership to improve their operational effectiveness and business results. Visit www.pbinsight.co.uk and www.pb.com for more information.