On 3rd December, it was announced that The Local Government Group and Ordnance Survey would work together in partnership to create a new central dataset, the National Address Gazetteer, through the creation of a joint venture called GeoPlace. This will replace the two separate datasets: the NLPG from Intelligent Addressing and Ordnance Survey’s OS MasterMap Address Layer 2.
Personally, I’m really excited about it and think it’s incredibly positive. For such a long time, local authorities, the police and fire and rescue authorities have had to choose between two competing products, but this new single source of data removes duplication and means that public sector organisations will no longer have to pay to licence two separate sets of data. The potential complexity of trying to integrate internal and external systems using different data sets will also be a thing of the past. It’s a real win-win situation.
We totally welcome the creation of a new single source of address data. It is set to remove uncertainty and duplication in the market, and we’ll be working closely with all parties during the consultation period beginning next year to ensure that our customers’ interests are wholly accommodated.
I’m reassured from initial conversations with those concerned that the transition will be a smooth one and that the changes will not affect our customers. In fact, from their point of view, we’re led to believe that it will be an almost indiscernible process and that the current NLPG infrastructure will be maintained. That’s also great news. Our customers can continue to be able to provide superior levels of service to their own internal and external clientele while their existing GGP Systems software portfolio and licences will not be impacted.
As the project has only just been announced, many organisations will want to know more. Some useful Q&As have been provided on the Local Government Association’s website.
Nasser Elaheebocus, Nasonics Ltd.
