We are proud to be supporting the BlueBox Partners CPD conferences,
which offer training and education to the Surveying industry on a wide range of
topics.
There are two events this year – the first is at Brighouse, which is
taking place today, while the Swindon event is being hosted on 11 June.
Members of our team will be attending both meetings and will be discussing
the subjects of flooding, environmental impact assessment and digital mapping. There
will be live demonstrations of the Promap system, a breakfast briefing that
helps delegates earn additional CPD points plus Promap experts will be on hand
throughout the day to answer any questions.
Real life examples will be presented throughout the one-day conference,
exploring residential valuation, building defects, and dilapidation issues.
In the first of our ‘Meet The Expert’ series, we are introducing Nick Mills, National Trainer at Landmark Information Group, who specialises in training clients on a wide range of our mapping and environmental-based products.
“Since joining Landmark in 2006, I have undertaken over 1,000 training sessions with well over 2,500 people,” confirms Nick. “The aim is to provide a detailed insight into how to make the most from our range of tools, as well as refresh experienced users with hints and usability tips.” Nick spends a great deal of time working with a broad spectrum of property professionals, including commercial architects and surveyors, and tailors each session dependent on the needs of the group. “The training courses are delivered in one of four ways: online webinars, 1-2-1 online training, in-house learning or via onsite courses at a client’s office or site. Over recent months, I have seen a keen uptake in the number of webinars, as clients like us to host lunchtime refresher sessions.” Promap training is available free of charge and Nick produces each course to meet the individual needs of each and every client. Concludes Nick; “Every day is different: I get to work with a wide range of professionals that use our systems for varied projects. I still get a buzz when introducing our systems to new clients, and also showing existing clients shortcuts and tips so they can really make the most of what is on offer.” Before joining Landmark, Nick was a regional trainer for Patientline. He has also achieved ‘TAP Gold Accredited L&D Professional’ from the Training Foundation, in addition to TAP Diploma in Learning Facilitation, TAP Gold Accredited L&D Professional , TAP Certificate in Theoretical Basis of Learning and TAP Certificate in Learner Engagement to name but a few. To contact Nick and the training team, email: training@promap.co.uk.
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In February, the Law Commission published a consultation
paper on the topic of ‘Right to Light’. The project looks into the law
concerning the right to light from the interests of landowners in addition to the
need to facilitate the appropriate development of land.
The ‘Right to Light’ is an age-old entitlement that gives landowners or home-owners the right to retain the flow of light into their building or land,
meaning objections can be made should a development threaten to block natural
light into their property. The Right can
aid not only in the prevention of developments deemed to interfere with the
flow of light, but there are documented cases where building work has been
halted or even demolished as a result of an infringement.
The new consultation project by the Law Commission is investigating
whether the law provides an appropriate balance between the interests of home
or landowners and the development of land, as well as looking at how the Right
of Light fits within the current planning system.
We are seeing a large increase in the use of our 3D modelling and
visualisation data, which provides architects with a highly-accurate,
real-life representation of an existing site or building. The digital data not only provides an
opportunity to view separate layers for items such as walls or roofs, but also
streets and trees, meaning architects are able to visualise how a new
development might work within existing surroundings, including analysing
whether natural light would be impacted for neighbouring buildings. This makes 3D models an important tool for
feasibility studies, BIM compliance and, of course, Right to Light analysis.
We have just started working with the Civil Engineering
& Geosciences team at Newcastle University to give their students a helping
hand towards their studies. In partnership with the University, we are
providing the opportunity for students currently studying for a Master’s degree
to access our Promap digital mapping software. The aim is for its
students to gain real-life practice of using the commercial tools that are
widely-used by property professionals, agents and firms throughout the UK.
Over 50 students are benefiting from using our Promap Contaminated
Land module as part of their studies, which will provide valuable knowledge
and practical hands-on experience of the commercial mapping application before
they graduate and move into their chosen careers in the environmental,
engineering and related industries. In addition, students will receive a
certificate to verify that they have used the Promap software as part of their
Master’s Degree, which can be provided to future employers.
We are proud to be playing our part towards equipping the
next generation of property professionals with valuable knowledge that they can
tap into, once they have moved into their chosen careers in the future.
A news story regarding the Newcastle University partnership
can be seen here:
At Promap, we are proud to sponsor PropSKI – an annual ski trip for young property professionals to meet and network with like-minded post graduate peers, but on the snow-capped Alps. The 2013 event took place earlier this month in Val Thorens, France, and was a fantastic success.
Over 100 people from 40 different companies enjoyed an informal week in the snow, getting to meet new contacts, share stories and have the chance of winning some trophies along the way. The aim of PropSKi is to bring together traditional networking opportunities for property professionals. It is run by graduate peers and this year, it was keyed towards 1st and 2nd year post graduates sitting for their accreditation or who have recently qualified in a property-related discipline.
A reunion event is taking place on 31st January 2013 at the Builder's Arms on Kensington Court Place at 7pm.
Ordnance Survey – Great Britain’s national mapping agency – has launched a data integrity campaign aiming at educating data users about the value of having up-to-date and fully licensed mapping information. Promap stands fully behind the campaign and works together with the Ordnance Survey to always provide mapping that is copyright protected.
With the importance of property data significantly growing for making sound business decisions, land and property professionals are being urged to ensure they are only using correctly licensed and latest location data.
A research by the Ordnance Survey found that three thirds of the interviewed senior decision makers from the land and property industry believe that using location data delivers tangible cost efficiencies to their business, which makes the quality of the information even more important. Strikingly however, 34% of these companies don’t hold an Ordnance Survey license.
When it comes to digital location-based information, organisations need to make sure that not only is the data up-to-date, but that they have the rights to use it. Unlicensed information can risk the reputation of land and property businesses, which is something they shouldn’t forget as it has both legal and cost implications.
Unlicensed data is often unreliable, old and inaccurate, which can damage a property project and potentially prolong its duration, as well as putting the company-client relationship at risk.
What’s more, relying entirely on accurate, up-to-date and consistent data is a vital prerequisite for a positive organisational reputation, because companies can otherwise face law implications that can badly harm their image. With the face of Britain changing up to 10,000 times a day (ref: Ordnance Survey video), businesses don’t have a choice but to ensure their license is kept up to speed as it’s their defence to an allegation of copyright infringement.
The campaign is backed by the key industry bodies: RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) and RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects).
To complement the campaign the Ordnance Survey have also developed a ‘Land and property unlicensed data and mapping information toolkit’ which can be found here.
For more information, have a look at the three official campaign videos:
Why businesses should be licensed
Why surveyors should be using licensed data
Why conveyancers should use licensed data
As a provider of mapping data to individuals and organisations that require instant access to Ordnance Survey information, Promap makes sure it keeps company data and software up-to-date allowing clients to prepare an accurate location plan, develop a clearer picture of an area, create more efficiencies and protect against legal action.
To ensure you have the necessary licenses, take a look at our website, where you will find detailed information about paper map copying, licence management, OS license changes and more. For further licensing options you can also call us on 0844 844 9960 and email customerservice@promap.co.uk
