Intermap in strategic deal to provide national mapping to UK local authorities

News Releases

26 May, 2005

Local authorities in England, Wales and Scotland will soon be using a completely new type of computerised map that shows the world in 3D. It follows a strategic national mapping deal brokered by the Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA), with the internationally recognised firm Intermap Technologies, Inc. Intermap has used their revolutionary aerial radar mapping technology to create the 3D map, making Britain the most accurately mapped country in the world. Called NEXTMap Britain, Intermap's computerised maps show the rise and fall of the land to sub-metre accuracy across the length and breadth of Britain. Local Authorities can combine this data with traditional maps and aerial photography to create realistic 3D visualisations at any location. Staff can view any scene on their computer screens as if they were actually on site and undertake detailed analysis for activities extending from planning to highways, environmental services and tourism. 

Called NEXTMap Britain, Intermap's computerised maps show the rise and fall of the land to sub-metre accuracy across the length and breadth of Britain. Local Authorities can combine this data with traditional maps and aerial photography to create realistic 3D visualisations at any location. Staff can view any scene on their computer screens as if they were actually on site and undertake detailed analysis for activities extending from planning to highways, environmental services and tourism. 

The deal is highly significant as Intermap has become one of the first private sector companies to become a preferred supplier to local government under the Mapping Services Agreement (MSA). The MSA is a best bulk purchase deal for Mapping Services brokered by the IDeA aimed at reducing the cost of complying with European Procurement Law for local government as a whole. 

"The expertise that Intermap brings to the Mapping Service Agreement will be of great benefit to local government," said Lucy de Groot, Executive Director of IDeA. "The Intermap system will allow people to see three-dimensional views of land in detail, which will be essential to planners and emergency services," continued de Groot. 

"This is a significant win for the NEXTMap Britain project," said Eric DesRoche, Vice President of Intermap's NEXTMap program. "This is the first time a privately funded mapping initiative in the UK has become the de facto standard for mapping of this type. 

NEXTMap Britain was created using our own specially developed 'IFSAR' airborne radar technology with the backing of Norwich Union who is using the data as the basis for their flood model throughout England, Wales and Scotland." 

Intermap's NEXTMap Britain project has been one of the world's most ambitious mapping projects capturing, the whole of Britain electronically in 3D. Using a specially equipped Learjet flying at night and at an altitude of 20,000-28,000 ft, the data was captured every 5 metres to provide sub-metre accuracy. NEXTMap Britain has become the elevation data of choice for Norwich Union, the Environment Agency, the National Assembly for Wales, the British Geological Survey, the Scottish Executive, and through the LGIH, Mapping Services Agreement, Local Authorities across Britain. 

Notes to editors: 
NEXTMap is the name given to Intermap's national program for mapping the terrain of whole countries in unprecedented detail. This program, which employs Intermap's radar (IFSAR) mapping technology to capture elevation and imagery data, is the industry benchmark for accuracy and affordability. The data is obtainable for areas as small as 2 sq km and available at different resolutions and price points for use with a wide variety of computer software, including CAD, GIS and modelling. The data can be used in a wide range of commercial applications, including engineering, transportation, navigation, flood mapping, environmental assessment and management, mobile network planning, simulation and 3D visualisation. Major NEXTMap Britain data users include the Environment Agency, Norwich Union, and the National Assembly for Wales, the Scottish Executive and the British Geological Survey. 

Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, Intermap employs more than 250 people worldwide, with offices in Calgary, Ottawa, Munich and Jakarta. Intermap is publicly traded on the TSX Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol IMP. For more information, visit www.intermap.com 

IDeA has brokered this agreement through Local Government Information House (LGIH) a wholly owned subsidiary of the Agency, working in partnership with the local authority community developing national infrastructure projects that enable councils to deliver local services more effectively. As an intermediary between the public and the private sector, Information House is in a position to negotiate with private companies on behalf of local authorities. 

MSA (Mapping Service Level Agreement) The LGIH is responsible for coordinating and facilitating the Service Level Agreement that entitles all local authorities to use digital mapping products from the Ordnance Survey and other private sector companies. These products are used for planning, highways, emergency services, statistical analysis, command and control. These help to support joined-up government and services for citizens, provide backing for multi-agency and partnership agreements, and offer improved data processing and information reporting for organisations. 

CONTACTS: 
Editorial contact William Allbrook on tel. 01666 826641 
Please fax colour separation requests to fax no. 01666 824668 

Reader enquiries to: 
Andy Shepherd: T: 079 7979 8072, E-mail: ashepherd@.intermap.com 
Monica Moore: T: +1 303-708-0955, E-mail: mmoore@.intermap.com 
Reader replies to: 
William Allbrook: T: 01666 826 641, E-mail: william@market-it.co.uk