thinkWhere Wins Contract to Open Up Access to European Mapping
Stirling, Scotland, 25 February 2021 – thinkWhere has been awarded a major contract to develop a gateway that will provide easy online access to official maps from more than 40 European countries. The Scottish cloud IT company and specialist in geospatial data and open-source technology, will work alongside project lead EuroGeographics on the ‘Open Maps for Europe’ project which is designed to increase the use of open data to boost the development of innovative location-based services, driving economic growth and increasing competitiveness by reducing costs.
As part of the Open Maps for Europe project, thinkWhere will design, develop and deliver an easy-to-use gateway to data including topographic maps, 3D height models, aerial photography and gazetteer data. thinkWhere was awarded the contract following its successful response to an open tender published in the Official Journal of the European Union. Open Maps for Europe is co-financed by the Connecting Europe Facility of the European Union and is co-ordinated by EuroGeographics, an independent, not-for-profit organisation that represents Europe’s National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registration Authorities, in partnership with the National Geographic Institute (NGI) in Belgium.
“As the official sources of map, land and property information our members’ data is fundamental to the everyday lives of people across Europe. This information underpins the delivery of public services, provides certainty of property ownership and can help save precious time, potentially lives, when responding to emergencies,” commented Angela Baker, Programme Manager, Data Access and Integration at EuroGeographics. “In an ever-connected world this data is also increasingly being used in a wide range of applications relied upon by both citizens, business and government.
“However, Open Maps for Europe is not just about delivering data, it’s about making that data easy to find, easy to access and easy to use,” she continued. “thinkWhere’s proven expertise in developing user-centric interfaces is critical to the success of the project, and indeed EuroGeographics’ wider strategy for data access. We are delighted to be working with them and look forward to making the first datasets available this summer.”
Alan Moore, Chief Executive of thinkWhere added, “We are excited to continue our relationship with EuroGeographics, and the wider European geospatial community, having already completed projects using open-source technologies to remove barriers to use and promote the take-up of cross-border open data across Europe.
“thinkWhere’s overriding mission is to make geographic data accessible and usable,” he added. “By harnessing the power of our cloud-based, geospatial data infrastructure we will drive the development of a user-centric portal that makes it easy to find, view, publish and share the rich suite of digital mapping supporting the primary objectives of The Open Maps for Europe project.”
Open Maps for Europe will signpost and provide easy access to pan European data created using official map, geospatial and land information and will run until 31 December 2022.
Contacts:
Enquiries to Fiona Thomas, Business Development, on + 44 (0) 1786 476060 or fiona.thomas@thinkwhere.com
Editorial enquiries, contact Robert Peel on tel +44 (0)1666 823306 or robert@spatiallyaware.co.uk
About thinkWhere
thinkWhere is the UK’s leading location data sharing company. As a B2B SaaS and consulting company specialising in geography, technology and data, thinkWhere identified the emerging opportunities available using cloud computing, open data and open source technologies.
Combining deep domain expertise and a collaborative style of working, thinkWhere developed a suite of products and services that transform the way organisations use geographic data. Its unique online platform brings together all publicly available datasets in a single place, where they can be readily accessed, analysed, customised and shared.
By making geographic intelligence easier to understand, complex projects become simpler to manage and collective decisions are made faster. thinkWhere enables organisations to free up time, money and resources allowing them to focus on their own innovation and growth.
For further information visit www.thinkwhere.com
About EuroGeographics
EuroGeographics is an international not-for-profit organisation (AISBL/ IVZW under Belgian Law. BCE registration: 833 607 112) and the membership association for the European National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registry Authorities. It currently brings together members from 46 countries, covering the whole of geographical Europe.
For further information visit www.eurogeographics.org