Gazetteer specialists Aligned Assets are pleased to announce that their LLPG (Local Land and Property Gazetteer) connectivity software, Symphony iExchange, is now available as a stand-alone module.
Previously only available to the users of the Symphony gazetteer management system, iExchange can now be used by everyone in local government to centralise their address data and give access to it across all departments.
By doing so, all local authorities can place their LLPG at the very heart of the organisation and through that enjoy huge gains in efficiency and quantifiable financial savings.
Examples of the savings that could be made through the greater use of the LLPG were demonstrated in a recent report produced by ConsultingWhere Limited and ACIL Tasman on behalf of the Local Government Association (LGA) entitled 'The Value of Geospatial Information to Local Public Service Delivery in England and Wales'.
Clear financial benefits are shown through an increase in tax revenue in both council tax and non-domestic rates through the identification of unbilled properties, whilst further financial savings come from the removal of multiple address databases and the expense incurred from having to maintain them all.
The gains are tangibly spelt out in the report with the assertion that the average benefit per linked system is £12,500 for district councils, rising to over £22,000 for Unitaries and London Boroughs.
Symphony iExchange works by allowing the user to export changes in their LLPG to other systems, where the data can be imported. For each separate system, the frequency can be set individually, as can the format used and the type of data sent e.g. only approved LPIs, only commercial properties etc.
Speaking about the announcement, Managing Director Dinesh Thanigasalam said, “It’s fantastic to be able to offer the opportunity for all local authorities to share and integrate their LLPGs into their back office systems, without restriction.”
“Because all our solutions are open, iExchange has no limit to the systems you can send your LLPG data to – automatically and in a variety of formats. Many existing suppliers allow linkages between their own systems, but iExchange enables the sharing of data well beyond this, regardless of department, regardless of supplier.”
“We don’t charge based on how many systems you link to and iExchange is intuitive enough that if you have good internal ICT skills, you can make virtually all the connections yourself.”
He concluded by saying, “As with all our software solutions, iExchange is available via software by subscription, which means there are no upfront fees to pay and savings can be recognised almost instantly.”
To find out more visit www.aligned-assets.co.uk/iexchange.
Thursday, 25 November 2010
Monday, 8 November 2010
One Wales – One Voice Declared a Resounding Success
With over 60 delegates from 35 different organisations, the latest Gazetteer Best Practice Day from Aligned Assets has been declared a resounding success.
Held at the Media Resource Centre in Llandrindod on 2nd November, it saw six presentations focusing on best practice in gazetteers, all against the backdrop of unique complexities faced by the public sector in Wales.
The event started off with two presentations showing the diversity of addressing across the Principality. Phil Hall and Matthew Seymour from Cardiff Council spoke about the management of an urban gazetteer and how they work closely with other council departments such as non-domestic rates to maintain accuracy.
This was followed by Lynne Roberts from Gwynedd Council discussing the issues of running a bilingual gazetteer, an issue often underestimated by English custodians, yet essential to the commitments made by the Welsh Assembly Government.
After cups of tea and welsh cakes, the delegates were treated to a presentation from Dave Bennett of South Wales Fire & Rescue Service who spoke about poor quality address data, pointing out that joint working towards the full integration of the NLPG (National Land and Property Gazetteer) was the solution.
Sue Beetlestone from Powys County Council looked at how land & property gazetteers and the Location Wales programme have a mutually beneficial role to play in improving the quality and use of location information in Wales. She particular focused on collaborative working and data sharing, both of which would lead to far greater efficiencies.
The day was rounded off with two higher level presentations, firstly from Shaun Powell of the Welsh Assembly who gave a well-received presentation on efficiency savings and how to attain them. This was followed by Pete Roberts of the Ordnance Survey who spoke about the PSMA (Public Sector Mapping Agreement) and its implications for those present.
The event was best summed up by Marc Davies of Isle of Anglesey County Council, who described it as a, “Very informative day, which provided me with many ideas to take back and apply at Anglesey.” This was reiterated by Phil Mountain of Caerphilly County Borough Council, who said it was, “Becoming an important date in the annual addressing calendar.”
For more information visit www.aligned-assets.co.uk/events
Tuesday, 19 October 2010
Combined CRM and Gazetteer Creates Cost Savings Across The Public Sector
Front line staff across local government and the emergency services can now more effectively manage contact and address data through a new software offering from proven Microsoft Dynamics CRM reseller and integrator Optevia.
Optevia has joined forces with gazetteer specialists Aligned Assets to offer a CRM solution that not only offers a means of managing contacts and the information relating to those contacts, but sources all of its address data directly from an organisation’s locally held Land and Property Gazetteer data.
Currently, the sources of address data can vary tremendously with multiple departments relying on multiple legacy systems – Excel spreadsheets, membership databases and their own in-built address applications for example. This results in contact record duplication, mis-addressed mail and out of date and inaccurate information, which in turn leads to unnecessary costs through wasted effort and the need for unnecessary resources and money. This lack of accurate data also has a detrimental effect on the image of the local authority or emergency service.
To overcome the problems inherent in other CRM systems, Optevia and Aligned Assets are delivering a solution based on Microsoft Dynamics CRM acting as the master system for contacts and Aligned Assets’ Symphony Gazetteer forming the master system for address data. Close working between the two companies has achieved a seamless integration that ensures contacts and their addresses are accurate, completely consistent across the entire organisation and constantly up to date.
Kent Fire and Rescue Service is an early adopter of the combined Optevia, Microsoft CRM and Aligned Assets solution and benefits are already clearly evident. Jon Chapman, Head of Community Safety at Kent Fire and Rescue Service explained:
“We are using the combined solution to enable the more effective delivery of Home Safety Visits (HSVs) to the 1.6 million residents of Kent. We had a number of address databases across the organisation which often resulted in data duplication. Now if a change is made in one source it will be reflected elsewhere in the organisation. As a result, we now have increased accuracy of our HSV marketing campaigns which enables us to more accurately target the most vulnerable members of our communities and help protect them from the risk of fires in their homes”.
“We can also now use the combined solution to add important information relating to an address, such as potentially hazardous materials located at a particular address and relate this to an individual associated with that property, so helping improve the safety of the public and our officers on the ground.”
Dinesh Thanigasalam, Managing Director of Aligned Assets explained that, “Optevia has a proven track record and was the national launch partner for Microsoft CRM in the UK. They were the first organisation to successfully start integrating Microsoft CRM into UK local authorities and continue to be the preferred Microsoft CRM supplier across local government and the emergency services.”
He went on to say, “The benefits of an integrated Microsoft CRM and gazetteer solution will help public sector organisations quickly realise efficiency gains and cost savings through greater contact record accuracy and a reduction in processing errors.”
Tim Vernon, Managing Partner, Optevia Ltd comments, “Aligned Assets is one of the leading providers of Gazetteer Management Systems to local government and the emergency services.
“We have combined our expertise and best of breed products to develop a practical and cost effective solution to help organisations make the best use of their contacts and address data. Through our provision of one, central source of contact information and associated address data, there is simply no longer any need for the public sector to have multiple sources of address information.”
ABOUT ALIGNED ASSETS
Aligned Assets are an industry leader in gazetteer and address management solutions. They supply software to over 100 Local Authorities and Fire & Rescue Services as well as the British Transport Police and Transport for London. They are the UK’s first reseller of the NLPG, providing superior address management across the commercial and public sectors. In addition to software and data solutions they can offer a complete range of consultancy, training, bespoke development and project management.
ABOUT OPTEVIA
Optevia are a proven, CRM reseller and integrator, dedicated to the UK and Ireland’s public sector with a special focus on fire & rescue services, central government agencies and local authorities. Optevia also serves regulators and licensing & grant management organisations, including regional development agencies. Since helping launch Microsoft Dynamics CRM in January 2004, Optevia has evolved to become Microsoft’s premier Dynamics CRM public sector partner successfully completing over 60 deployments. Optevia has a range of value-add sector specific Optevia Essentials software products for all of the public sector markets it serves and a range of cross sector Optevia Dynamics software products – Optevia Dynamic Audit, Optevia Dynamic Decision, Optevia Dynamic Correspondence and Optevia Dynamic Portal. These help reduce the cost & timeframe for delivering high quality, low risk Microsoft Dynamics CRM solutions. The Optevia Essentials and Optevia Dynamics software products are provided with a portfolio of supporting Optevia business analysis, design, development & deployment services, so helping ensure good end-user adoption, post implementation support, and a return on investment in Microsoft Dynamics CRM.
ABOUT MICROSOFT
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realise their full potential.
Wednesday, 13 October 2010
Saving Money Through The NLPG: Hot Topic At This Year’s Everything Happens Somewhere Conference
At this year’s Everything Happens Somewhere conference on 20th October in Sheffield, efficiency savings and how to save money with the NLPG will be the hot topic of the day.
During the Solution Stream being held in the Main Banqueting Hall, gazetteer specialists Aligned Assets will be chairing a forum in which all delegates will be able to hear three presentations on how they can make very real savings through the better use of the NLPG.
The first presentation will be from Stephen Gray of AXESS West Sussex, a partnership of county, district and borough councils, which has seen a streamlining of the process by which street cleaning service requests are received, processed and responded to. The work that Stephen and his team have done has seen an estimated saving of £20,000 per annum.
The second presentation will be from Richard Healy, GIS Manager at Monmouthshire Council, who will be focusing on specific ways in which the NLPG can be used to save money in the public sector. He will be discussing ways that NLPG data can be integrated throughout an organisation, looking at cashable savings that will be available to all.
The final presentation will be from Shaun Powell, who is the Access Transformation Delivery Manager at the Welsh Assembly Government. Shaun will be discussing efficiency savings across the public sector and primary to his presentation will be the ways in which joint working can receive very tangible savings and how these can underpin both regional and national initiatives.
Chairing the Stream will be Director of Aligned Assets, Phil Gee, who said of the event, “Everything Happens Somewhere is the premier event in the NLPG/NSG calendar and is a ‘must-attend’ for anyone involved with gazetteers in the public sector.”
“Finding ways to save money and develop greater efficiency in working practices is now an essential component for local government and the emergency services. This Solution Stream will provide a wealth of practical ideas that all attendees can take away with them to aid their own organisations.”
If you’ve not yet signed up to attend ‘Everything Happen Somewhere’, you can do so via the following link www.surveymonkey.com/s/EHS10.
During the Solution Stream being held in the Main Banqueting Hall, gazetteer specialists Aligned Assets will be chairing a forum in which all delegates will be able to hear three presentations on how they can make very real savings through the better use of the NLPG.
The first presentation will be from Stephen Gray of AXESS West Sussex, a partnership of county, district and borough councils, which has seen a streamlining of the process by which street cleaning service requests are received, processed and responded to. The work that Stephen and his team have done has seen an estimated saving of £20,000 per annum.
The second presentation will be from Richard Healy, GIS Manager at Monmouthshire Council, who will be focusing on specific ways in which the NLPG can be used to save money in the public sector. He will be discussing ways that NLPG data can be integrated throughout an organisation, looking at cashable savings that will be available to all.
The final presentation will be from Shaun Powell, who is the Access Transformation Delivery Manager at the Welsh Assembly Government. Shaun will be discussing efficiency savings across the public sector and primary to his presentation will be the ways in which joint working can receive very tangible savings and how these can underpin both regional and national initiatives.
Chairing the Stream will be Director of Aligned Assets, Phil Gee, who said of the event, “Everything Happens Somewhere is the premier event in the NLPG/NSG calendar and is a ‘must-attend’ for anyone involved with gazetteers in the public sector.”
“Finding ways to save money and develop greater efficiency in working practices is now an essential component for local government and the emergency services. This Solution Stream will provide a wealth of practical ideas that all attendees can take away with them to aid their own organisations.”
If you’ve not yet signed up to attend ‘Everything Happen Somewhere’, you can do so via the following link www.surveymonkey.com/s/EHS10.
Monday, 27 September 2010
PSMA and National Address Gazetteer to be Debated at One Wales – One Voice
A presentation from the Ordnance Survey on the PSMA (Public Sector Mapping Agreement) is the most recent to be confirmed in the latest instalment of Gazetteer Best Practice Days: One Wales – One Voice.
Being held at the MRC in Llandrindod on 2nd November, the Ordnance Survey will present on what the PSMA means to the gazetteer community in Wales, with specific focus given to the National Address Gazetteer and any potential impact on the public sector.
This presentation is the fifth to be confirmed, with the other presentations from the Welsh Assembly Government, Cardiff Council, the AGI and one from Gwynedd Council on bilingualism in addressing. Additionally there will be an open debate session chaired by Shaun Powell from the Welsh Assembly.
One Wales – One Voice is ideal for local government, the emergency services and indeed anyone working in address management in Wales. For those that create address data they will gain from being with the end-users and hearing their needs; whilst those end users will gain from the opportunity to influence the people who create and maintain addresses.
One Wales – One Voice is being hosted by gazetteer specialists Aligned Assets who currently work with over 50% of local authorities in Wales. Managing Director Dinesh Thanigasalam explained the reason for the day, “Requirements in address data naturally varies depending on the organisation and it’s important for all these requirements to be heard so that we can all move forward with a greater understanding.”
“We already have 22 different organisations signed up to attend and I very much look forward to some constructive and worthwhile debate. It’s great also that all attendees will receive four AGI CPD points.”
The event is open to anyone who is involved in the creation, management or use of address data in Wales. For further information or to reserve a space email carl.hancock@aligned-assets.co.uk or visit www.aligned-assets.co.uk/events.
ABOUT ALIGNED ASSETS
Aligned Assets are an industry leader in gazetteer and address management solutions. They supply software to over 100 Local Authorities and Fire & Rescue Services as well as the British Transport Police and Transport for London. They are the UK’s first reseller of the NLPG, providing superior address management across the commercial and public sectors. In addition to software and data solutions they can offer a complete range of consultancy, training, bespoke development and project management.
Being held at the MRC in Llandrindod on 2nd November, the Ordnance Survey will present on what the PSMA means to the gazetteer community in Wales, with specific focus given to the National Address Gazetteer and any potential impact on the public sector.
This presentation is the fifth to be confirmed, with the other presentations from the Welsh Assembly Government, Cardiff Council, the AGI and one from Gwynedd Council on bilingualism in addressing. Additionally there will be an open debate session chaired by Shaun Powell from the Welsh Assembly.
One Wales – One Voice is ideal for local government, the emergency services and indeed anyone working in address management in Wales. For those that create address data they will gain from being with the end-users and hearing their needs; whilst those end users will gain from the opportunity to influence the people who create and maintain addresses.
One Wales – One Voice is being hosted by gazetteer specialists Aligned Assets who currently work with over 50% of local authorities in Wales. Managing Director Dinesh Thanigasalam explained the reason for the day, “Requirements in address data naturally varies depending on the organisation and it’s important for all these requirements to be heard so that we can all move forward with a greater understanding.”
“We already have 22 different organisations signed up to attend and I very much look forward to some constructive and worthwhile debate. It’s great also that all attendees will receive four AGI CPD points.”
The event is open to anyone who is involved in the creation, management or use of address data in Wales. For further information or to reserve a space email carl.hancock@aligned-assets.co.uk or visit www.aligned-assets.co.uk/events.
ABOUT ALIGNED ASSETS
Aligned Assets are an industry leader in gazetteer and address management solutions. They supply software to over 100 Local Authorities and Fire & Rescue Services as well as the British Transport Police and Transport for London. They are the UK’s first reseller of the NLPG, providing superior address management across the commercial and public sectors. In addition to software and data solutions they can offer a complete range of consultancy, training, bespoke development and project management.
Monday, 20 September 2010
How to Save Time and Money in Street Naming and Numbering
Woking, Surrey 20th September 2010 – The new, subscription version of the Street Naming and Numbering module from gazetteer specialists Aligned Assets, has been released.
Known as Symphony SNN, it has been completely remodelled to make it a standalone product, which means Street Naming and Numbering Officers from Shetland to Cornwall can all enjoy the efficiency savings that it offers.
The main power of Symphony SNN to illicit efficiency savings is in the way that it can speed up the entire process of naming a street or numbering a property. For large developments, multiple plots can be created and edited with only a few clicks of the mouse, whilst the huge swathes of notifications that need sending out to organisations from the emergency services through to the post office can all be automated at every step of the way.
June Shobbrook of Pembrokeshire County Council gave an insight into why she uses it, “I could never go back to how it was before! Previously I had several access databases and volumes of paper work. I found it difficult to look up old historical issues, but I am now able with the assistance of Symphony SNN, to create entries in the summary console and look at outstanding historical issues. In the new version, I look forward to generating emails with location plans attached – it will be so much easier and will assist the utilities.”
Managing Director of Aligned Assets Dinesh Thanigasalam explained further, “Many local authorities are still using manual processes and a combination of spreadsheets, databases and pieces of paper. Symphony SNN not only brings all of this process into one place, but through its links to the LLPG (Local Land and Property Gazetteer), the double entry of data is significantly reduced.”
To find out more, visit www.aligned-assets.co.uk/snn
ABOUT ALIGNED ASSETS
Aligned Assets are an industry leader in gazetteer and address management solutions. They supply software to over 100 Local Authorities and Fire & Rescue Services as well as the British Transport Police and Transport for London. They are the UK’s first reseller of the NLPG, providing superior address management across the commercial and public sectors. In addition to software and data solutions they can offer a complete range of consultancy, training, bespoke development and project management.
Known as Symphony SNN, it has been completely remodelled to make it a standalone product, which means Street Naming and Numbering Officers from Shetland to Cornwall can all enjoy the efficiency savings that it offers.
The main power of Symphony SNN to illicit efficiency savings is in the way that it can speed up the entire process of naming a street or numbering a property. For large developments, multiple plots can be created and edited with only a few clicks of the mouse, whilst the huge swathes of notifications that need sending out to organisations from the emergency services through to the post office can all be automated at every step of the way.
June Shobbrook of Pembrokeshire County Council gave an insight into why she uses it, “I could never go back to how it was before! Previously I had several access databases and volumes of paper work. I found it difficult to look up old historical issues, but I am now able with the assistance of Symphony SNN, to create entries in the summary console and look at outstanding historical issues. In the new version, I look forward to generating emails with location plans attached – it will be so much easier and will assist the utilities.”
Managing Director of Aligned Assets Dinesh Thanigasalam explained further, “Many local authorities are still using manual processes and a combination of spreadsheets, databases and pieces of paper. Symphony SNN not only brings all of this process into one place, but through its links to the LLPG (Local Land and Property Gazetteer), the double entry of data is significantly reduced.”
To find out more, visit www.aligned-assets.co.uk/snn
ABOUT ALIGNED ASSETS
Aligned Assets are an industry leader in gazetteer and address management solutions. They supply software to over 100 Local Authorities and Fire & Rescue Services as well as the British Transport Police and Transport for London. They are the UK’s first reseller of the NLPG, providing superior address management across the commercial and public sectors. In addition to software and data solutions they can offer a complete range of consultancy, training, bespoke development and project management.
Thursday, 2 September 2010
Aligned Assets’ Events and Training Receive AGI Accreditation
Gazetteer specialists Aligned Assets are pleased to announce that both their upcoming
BS7666 training courses and November’s Gazetteer Best Practice Day, ‘One Wales – One Voice’ have been accredited by the AGI (Association for Geographic Information).
Attendance at either event will see the awarding of four AGI CPD points, which help those aiming to become a Chartered Geographer or are looking to keep their skills and knowledge up-to-date through Continuing Professional Development.
One Wales - One Voice is an event in the series of Gazetteer Best Practice Days hosted by Aligned Assets. It will see presentations and debate from across the Welsh gazetteer community including local government, the emergency services, Welsh Assembly Government and the AGI.
One Wales – One Voice seeks to bring these varying requirements together to discuss, debate and ultimately gain consensus, and will benefit anyone working in address management in Wales.
An Introduction to BS7666 is a one day training course being offered either onsite or from the Aligned Assets offices in Surrey. The course provides an introduction to BS7666 for those unfamiliar with its purpose but who will be affected by its implications. Those attending will gain an insight into all the important BS7666 legislation that is underpinning change within Local Authorities, the Police and the Fire & Rescue Service.
Managing Director, Dinesh Thanigasalam said of the AGI Accreditation, “By gaining AGI Accreditation and being able to offer CPD points, I believe this further demonstrates the core value and innate benefits that people gain from attending our training and events.”
“We are very proud to continue offering ways to help both the public and private sectors, and are delighted that this has been acknowledged by the AGI.”
For more information visit www.aligned-assets.co.uk/events
BS7666 training courses and November’s Gazetteer Best Practice Day, ‘One Wales – One Voice’ have been accredited by the AGI (Association for Geographic Information).
Attendance at either event will see the awarding of four AGI CPD points, which help those aiming to become a Chartered Geographer or are looking to keep their skills and knowledge up-to-date through Continuing Professional Development.
One Wales - One Voice is an event in the series of Gazetteer Best Practice Days hosted by Aligned Assets. It will see presentations and debate from across the Welsh gazetteer community including local government, the emergency services, Welsh Assembly Government and the AGI.
One Wales – One Voice seeks to bring these varying requirements together to discuss, debate and ultimately gain consensus, and will benefit anyone working in address management in Wales.
An Introduction to BS7666 is a one day training course being offered either onsite or from the Aligned Assets offices in Surrey. The course provides an introduction to BS7666 for those unfamiliar with its purpose but who will be affected by its implications. Those attending will gain an insight into all the important BS7666 legislation that is underpinning change within Local Authorities, the Police and the Fire & Rescue Service.
Managing Director, Dinesh Thanigasalam said of the AGI Accreditation, “By gaining AGI Accreditation and being able to offer CPD points, I believe this further demonstrates the core value and innate benefits that people gain from attending our training and events.”
“We are very proud to continue offering ways to help both the public and private sectors, and are delighted that this has been acknowledged by the AGI.”
For more information visit www.aligned-assets.co.uk/events
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