Limehouse Software and Pitney Bowes MapInfo find effective method for optimising consultation process

Location-based information is set to make critical planning and decision-making better informed and more precise, following a business alliance between Limehouse Software and Pitney Bowes MapInfo, the leading global provider of location intelligence. Under the terms of the agreement, Pitney Bowes MapInfo will allow its detailed maps to be integrated into strategy and policy documents created using Limehouse’s ucreate and uengage collaboration, creation and publishing software suite.

Already used by over 250 organisations, the inclusion of Pitney Bowes MapInfo GIS maps into planning and policy documents created using ucreate, will further enable better information and knowledge sharing, leading to more considered decision making over matters that affect the public. This valuable geographical information provides a detailed overview of the territory or area that is likely to be affected, making it easy to see how proposed plans for development might impact the local geography.

From an organisational perspective, the integration of maps into policy documents or proposals provides a visual overview of where stakeholders are located, proving a better understanding of how decisions may affect a local area and its residents.  

In the case of a council or local authority proposing a new road layout, for example the authority can integrate a GIS Map into its proposals. This web-based document can then be shared easily with residents, and used to capture and collate their feedback on the proposal.

Commenting on the integration, Colin Mackenzie, CIO of Limehouse Software said: “Transparency should be a corner stone of all plans and proposals that affect the public. ucreate and uengage facilitate this, and help broker and build relationships based on trust and openness between organisations, businesses and their publics. The integration of GIS Maps takes transparency to a new level, helping accelerate a more cost-effective document creation, publishing and consultation process.”  

Roy Soper, Channel & Partner Manager from Pitney Bowes MapInfo, said: “The question of ‘where?’ is one that’s often overlooked by organisations when making decisions that might affect the business or its public. Limehouse has been forward thinking in recognising the significance of this location intelligence and proactively finding a way to illustrate an answer to it. The integration of maps provides an added dimension to critical aspects of the decision making process.”

The Limehouse Software suite facilitates the collaboration, creation and publishing of policy, planning and strategy documents and the delivery of consultations. The suite comprises two integrated elements: ucreate and uengage. ucreate is the only web-based publishing solution with robust document collaboration and multi-channel publishing facilities, which enables customers to easily and cost-efficiently produce complex professional documents and content-rich microsites and portals.