Authority wide access to the LLPG is given a boost

Now that each local authority in England and Wales has completed the lengthy process of creating their Local Land and Property Gazetteers (LLPGs), more than ever they are now looking at ways to further the access to that data.


A simple way to facilitate this access is a web-based solution from gazetteer specialists Aligned Assets who have recently announced the latest release of their Symphony iSearchWeb product that creates an easy, yet highly efficient way of allowing authority-wide access to the LLPG.

Through the use of iSearchWeb, all departments can have access to the LLPG data via a web browser, with the ability to look up and copy addresses into any application. There are a variety of search options in addition to the standard address searches such as searching by Unique Property Reference Number (UPRN), Unique Street Reference Number (USRN) and by Cross References e.g. council tax cross reference.

Because LLPGs are updated with the cross references of many different departments, those departments can use iSearchWeb to locate an address and then access the department specific information about that property using that cross reference. Anyone wanting generic information about a property could therefore have access to a wealth of information about a property via these linked cross references.

As well as allowing inter-department access to the LLPG, iSearchWeb can additionally be integrated into any authority web service that can therefore allow public access to the address data. Having this information accessible to the public will greatly increase public service delivery as any online system with an address component will be given a significant boost.

Built into iSearchWeb is a feedback option that moves the use beyond the ability to search and retrieve data. If a user detects an error in any of the data there is an option to directly email the LLPG custodian with this information, who in turn can then make the necessary changes. What this effectively means is that via iSearchWeb, a local authority gains a personal validation service through its users.

Speaking about iSearchWeb, Commercial Director of Aligned Assets Phil Gee said, “The ability to quickly find and use the address information in an LLPG is what gives it true power. The fact that this information is accessible to all council employees and even to the public via iSearchWeb is moving the LLPG to another level.”

Data Matching Workshop for CORE Compliancy

The Co-ordinated Online Record of Electors (CORE) is a Ministry of Justice (MoJ) project to standardise all electoral registers across the UK and amalgamate them into one national database.

Since address standardisation exists already within each authority’s Local Land and Property Gazetteer (LLPG) through the application of BS7666, the MoJ directive calls for the matching of each electoral register to the LLPG so that the same level of standardisation can be achieved.

To help facilitate this process, gazetteer specialists Aligned Assets will be holding a free data matching workshop on 7th October 2008 to advise on the process and offer simple ways to achieve compliancy.

To be held in the historic Shakespeare Memorial Room at Birmingham Central Library there will be presentations on the CORE project, looking into the motives and reasoning behind it as well as a presentation from High Peak Borough Council who were one of the first local authorities to achieve CORE compliancy.

There will be a demonstration of Aligned Assets iMatch, which is an intuitive data matching software solution that will allow not only for the matching of the electoral registers but also the matching of all other council address data.

With CORE being just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to address matching, iMatch is software that can be used to create standardisation across all council systems.

The data matching workshop is available to all people with an interest in CORE or address matching generally. To reserve your place email carl.hancock@aligned-assets.co.uk or call 01483 717951.

New appointments at Aligned Assets

With its client base rapidly increasing, gazetteer specialists Aligned Assets are pleased to announce the appointment of two new members of staff.

Demonstrating their dedication to producing the highest quality software available on the market and their on-going commitment to customer services, they have strengthened their development team by appointing Anil Poonia and their professional services team with Claire Marvin.

Having graduated with a Masters in Computer Science, Anil joins the nine-strong development team at Aligned Assets, having previously worked as a Corporate Trainer for Koenig-Solutions PVT Ltd. Anil is both a Microsoft Certified Professional Developer and a Microsoft Certified Application Developer, bringing with him extensive knowledge about the latest trends and technologies.

Claire brings a wealth of experience in the fields of GIS, Database Management and Digital Mapping & Analysis. Having spent four years at Tele Atlas as a Geographical Information Specialist and then three and a half years as a Crime Analyst with the Safer Kingston Partnership, Claire is a great addition to the professional services team.

Of the new appointments, Managing Director Carl Nunn said, “This is an exciting period for Aligned Assets with work continuing on the FiReControl project and an influx of new customers upgrading to our software solutions. We pride ourselves on employing only the very best people in the industry and both Anil and Claire personify this philosophy.”

For more information about Aligned Assets call 0870 750 8750 or visit www.aligned-assets.co.uk

Another win for Aligned Assets

Aligned Assets can announce today the winning of a significant contract to supply South Gloucestershire Council with their Symphony Gazetteer Management System.

Taking advantage of Aligned Assets’ competitive upgrade package, South Gloucestershire replaced their existing Northgate system with a complete package from Aligned Assets that will allow them to manage, validate and share their Local Land and Property Gazetteer (LLPG).

Aligned Assets iManage, combines power and usability with an intuitive, user-friendly interface that makes it the one of the most highly regarded GMS in the industry. The first system to achieve BS7666:2006 compliance, iManage has continued to be at the forefront of gazetteer management that has seen their client base steadily grow within Local Government and now the Emergency Services.

Additional features that South Gloucestershire Council will now be able to take advantage of include automatic updates to the Hub via Symphony iExchange and the ability to protect the quality of the data using Symphony iValidate. The matching of their other address data to the LLPG with Symphony iMatch will enable them to comply with the CORE initiative and authority wide access to the LLPG will be available through Symphony iSearchWeb.

ICT Applications Manager at South Gloucestershire Matthew Toms said of the deal, “Aligned Assets have a strong reputation in the gazetteer sector. We found that not only were they the company that could best fulfill our requirements but also scored very highly with their customer service and on-going support. We feel they clearly provide the best solution on the market for our needs.”

www.aligned-assets.co.uk

Software Aids in Electoral Register Compliancy

Gazetteer specialists Aligned Assets are helping to achieve the realisation of electoral modernisation through the provision of software that allows the matching of electoral registers to the National Land and Property Gazetteer (NLPG).

Reacting to a Ministry of Justice (MoJ) directive stating that all electoral registers must be formatted to UK address standard BS7666, Aligned Assets have issued the latest version of their Symphony iMatch software to facilitate this formatting.

The directive states that by 1st December 2009 Electoral Registration Officers in all local authorities must convert their address data to BS7666 standards and ensure the inclusion of a Unique Property Reference Number (UPRN) against each address.

Symphony iMatch allows for automatic matching of the electoral register against the authorities’ Local Land and Property Gazetteer (LLPG), which enables the process to be left without input whilst the vast majority of the matching is done. Once this process is completed an interactive mode can be activated for the manual matching of the remaining data.

Speaking of the MoJ directive, Commercial Director at Aligned Assets, Phil Gee explained, “We see this as the first movement toward the compulsory standardisation of all local authority address data. Rather than engaging expensive data matching companies, iMatch offers a solution that can be used time and time again for only one fee. It will allow for all local authority address data to be brought in line with the BS7666 standard quickly and easily.”

Alongside its powerful address matching capability, iMatch also facilitates the geocoding of address data and incorporates a user-friendly search engine for locating addresses within the LLPG.

www.aligned-assets.co.uk

Friday the Thirteenth Proves Lucky for Aligned Assets

Paraskavedekatriaphobia, as the fear of Friday the Thirteenth is known, appears to afflict no one at gazetteer specialists Aligned Assets as they achieved the remarkable feat of three software releases on the same day.

Always striving to provide the most up to date software that reflects both legislative changes and the needs of their customers, they have released new versions of the Symphony Suite gazetteer management system iManage, data matching module iMatch and data transfer module iExchange.

The main focus within the iManage v3.4 release is increased speed and efficiency, greater levels of automation and extended functionality to the Street Naming and Numbering module.

iMatch v5.2.2 builds upon the module’s position as the industry’s number one data matching tool with several improvements. It’s now even quicker and easier to match address data to BS7666 standards, fulfilling one of the primary aims of t-government initiatives.

iExchange v3.1.1 increases the Symphony Suite’s module’s capacity for sharing of gazetteer data with other systems as well as the transfer of Local Land and Property Gazetteer data to the national hub.

www.aligned-assets.co.uk

Aligned Assets Strengthens its Team

Gazetteer specialists Aligned Assets can announce the appointment of four new members of staff to their ever-strengthening team.

Working out of their Old Woking offices will be Tim Davies who joins the software development team, Eze Nbuduka who fills the role of software tester, Paul Barnes as technical support officer and Laura Boxall who becomes the new voice of Aligned Assets as admin assistant and receptionist.

Speaking of the new appointments, Managing Director Carl Nunn said, “People are at the very heart of Aligned Assets and are essential to the provision of the best possible service to our customers. These appointments reflect our commitment to being proactive in business, ensuring that we are always in a position to respond to the needs of our customers and the market at large.”

www.aligned-assets.co.uk