Hampshire/Leicestershire, UK, 01 July 2014 – Aerial mapping companies Getmapping and Bluesky have been awarded a multi-million pound contract for the supply of geographic data to Central Government organisations. The contract, awarded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), covers high resolution aerial photography, detailed 3D height models and Colour Infra-Red imagery for the whole of England, Wales and Scotland. Under the new Aerial Photography for Great Britain (APGB) contract Getmapping and Bluesky can also provide training, consultancy and workshops to contract members.
This is a landmark agreement as it sets a new standard for the capture of geographic data in Great Britain; moving from the previous 5 year update cycle to an improved 3 year update programme. The agreement covers the supply of the most up to date imagery and height data to Central Government staff. This ensures APGB members have access to the most recent data available. These datasets have become common tools for many organisations providing real world intelligence to the desktop for a huge range of applications. The datasets provide significant benefits including supporting decision making to achieve proven cost savings and efficiency gains. All data provided under this contract is available to order by the APGB members through an on-line portal supplied by Airbus Defence and Space.
The APGB contract was awarded following a competitive tender process and will run for three years with an option to extend for a further three year period. The contract covers the supply of high resolution aerial photography, detailed 3D Digital Terrain and Surface Models (DTMs / DSMs) and Colour Infra-Red Imagery for the whole of England, Wales and Scotland and will, over the period of the contract, capture in excess of 25TB of data. Members can choose to have this data supplied in any format that meets their needs, for example a regular update via hard drive or remotely via WMS, a service provided by Airbus Defence and Space.
About
Getmapping Plc is a leading provider of aerial photography, LiDAR, digital mapping and web based services. Getmapping has offices in Hartley Wintney, UK, Cape Town and Johannesburg in South Africa, and Nairobi, Kenya. Getmapping was the first company to have up to date nationwide coverage of Britain and pioneered online delivery of aerial photography to business and the public at large. A provider of professional mapping, oblique and street level photography, height data, OS maps and third party aerial photography, Getmapping services a wide variety of markets including press and media, local authorities, property and construction, mining, environmental consultants and the public. It also provides a number of value added mapping products and services tailored to specific client needs including data hosting, online data delivery and web-based GIS. A pioneer of many online products through its website, Getmapping is the only company currently maintaining aerial photography for the whole of Great Britain. www.getmapping.com
Bluesky is a UK-based specialist in aerial survey including aerial photography, LiDAR and thermal data using the very latest survey technology, including an UltraCam Eagle and an Orion M300 LiDAR system. An internationally recognised leader with projects extending around the globe, Bluesky is proud to work with prestigious organisations such as Google, the BBC and Government Agencies. Bluesky has unrivalled expertise in the creation of seamless, digital aerial photography and maintains national “off the shelf” coverage of aerial photography, CIR, DTM and DSM through an on-going 3 year update programme. By purchasing a World first sensor for the simultaneous capture of LiDAR, Thermal and Aerial Photography data Bluesky is in the enviable position of being able to provide customers with unique and cost effective solutions. Bluesky is also leading the way in developing innovative solutions for environmental applications including the UK’s first National Tree Map (NTM), solar mapping and citywide ‘heat loss’ maps and is currently developing noise and air quality mapping products. www.bluesky-world.com
Airbus Defence and Space (Airbus DS) is a leading provider of airborne and satellite data and imagery, geographic information products, software and services delivering geographic information solutions into both private and public sector organisations worldwide. Bringing together the imagery and services experts formerly known as Infoterra and Spot Image, the Geo Intelligence programme line of Airbus DS offers a comprehensive product and services portfolio covering the entire geographic information services value chain – data acquisition and processing, imagery analysis and interpretation, hosting and delivery of large datasets, as well as offering GIS development and consultancy. This unique extended offer of products & services brings together 25 years of experience to benefit customers worldwide. The Geo Intelligence programme line of Airbus DS employs almost 1,000 employees located in 12 countries. www.astrium-geo.com