Is groundMapper suitable for utility and infrastructure projects?

Yes. Idox groundMapper is particularly suited to utility and infrastructure projects where people need to view, interrogate and share geographic information without every user requiring specialist desktop GIS software.

What is groundMapper?

groundMapper provides browser-based access to mapping and project data, making it useful for organisations that need location intelligence to reach engineers, planners, project managers, field teams and other non-GIS specialists. It’s our cloud-based GIS platform.

Rather than installing specialist software on individual machines, users can access maps and spatial information through a web browser. Organisations can bring together their own operational data with authoritative and commercial mapping, and make that all available through controlled online maps.

For a utility, that could mean displaying network or asset information alongside Ordnance Survey mapping, aerial imagery, addresses, property information or environmental data. Users can then search, navigate, interrogate features and work with relevant project information through a common geographic view.

Why is that useful for utility projects?

Infrastructure projects tend to involve people from several disciplines. A GIS specialist may be comfortable working directly with complex spatial datasets, while an engineer or project manager may simply need to answer questions such as: where is the asset, what surrounds it, which properties are affected and what constraints apply?

Providing everyone with full desktop GIS can add unnecessary complexity, licensing and training requirements. groundMapper offers a lighter route to the information. Because it is browser-based, geographic data can be made available to a wider project team without expecting every user to become a GIS specialist. That can be valuable for activities such as:

• Viewing assets and network information

• Investigating sites and proposed routes

• Sharing project mapping

• Examining property and environmental constraints

• Giving dispersed teams access to consistent geographic information

• Communicating spatial information to colleagues who don’t routinely use GIS.

Can organisations use their own data?

Yes. An important part of the proposition is the ability to combine an organisation’s own information with third-party geospatial data – without creating restrictions to viewing generic background mapping. Operational or project datasets can be presented alongside authoritative location information to provide context for decisions.

Access can also be managed so that appropriate information is available to the people who need it, rather than distributing files manually between teams.

Does groundMapper replace desktop GIS?

No, not necessarily. Specialist GIS platforms may still be appropriate for users carrying out sophisticated spatial analysis, data creation, modelling or other technically demanding work – we can guide you through this, and help you explore the options.

For some organisations it may provide the primary mapping environment for particular workflows. For others it can sit alongside an established enterprise GIS, extending access to people who need to use spatial information without needing the complete specialist toolset.

That distinction is especially relevant to utilities, where GIS data may underpin decisions across a much larger group than the dedicated GIS team. groundMapper making useful geographic information accessible to more people.

Is groundMapper the right fit for your project?

If you need a straightforward way to bring mapping, organisational data and third-party datasets together and make them available through a browser for non-GIS specialists, groundMapper is worth considering.

The strongest use case isn’t replacing every GIS application in an organisation. It’s removing the barrier between specialist geospatial information and the wider teams that need to use it.

Idox Geospatial can help you to assess how groundMapper would fit alongside existing GIS and operational systems, what data should be made available through it and whether a browser-based GIS can simplify access for project teams, contractors or other users.

How we can help

If you can't find exactly what you need, we can help you choose the right mapping data solution for your project via email, chat or over the phone.

For more information, reach out to our Customer Support team.

Need help with another topic? Learn more in our Knowledge Hub.