Press Release

English Rural Payments Agency rolls-out new Cadcorp SIS based digital mapping system to assist processing of EU farm subsidies

The Rural Payments Agency (RPA), the single Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) paying agency for England and an executive agency of DEFRA (the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs), is implementing a new digital mapping-based geographic information system (GIS) to assist it in the processing of farm subsidy claims. Based on Cadcorp SIS - Spatial Information System from UK digital mapping and GIS software specialist Cadcorp, the first phase of the new system involves 130 licences rolled-out to staff in all RPA offices.

Developed with the aid of Cadcorp the new system will help RPA staff check the accuracy of land-based claims by allowing them to access the latest Ordnance Survey digital maps rather than having to refer to paper based maps held locally.

Ann Wall of DEFRA’s IT Directorate, which managed the system development project on behalf of the RPA, says, “We selected Cadcorp SIS at the end of an exhaustive procurement exercise because it met all of our mandatory requirements, it ended up with the highest score in the technical evaluation exercise and most importantly, it provided the best value for money.”

“Furthermore,” she adds, “the new system helps DEFRA to meet Government plans to provide e-business facilities through its various Ministries and Departments.”

With the new system, RPA staff can view the details of the area for which a claim is being made by simply inputting the field reference data from the application form. It is then possible to easily produce maps incorporating a reference grid, plus details of the total area and claimed area. These maps can then be used by field inspectors to verify applications. This is a far more efficient and accurate process, as previously maps used for farm visits had to be produced manually.

Mike O’Neil, Cadcorp managing director, says, “The system that we have helped DEFRA and the RPA to develop brings benefits to both the Department and its Agency and to individual farmers - not to mention the taxpayer. Not only does it do away with the need to store thousands of paper maps, and the costs associated with that, it helps to ensure that information is fully up to date and readily available where and when it is needed."

About the Rural Payments Agency

The Rural Payments Agency is an Executive Agency of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). It is the single paying agency responsible for CAP schemes in England and for administering certain schemes throughout the UK.

About Cadcorp SIS

Cadcorp SIS - Spatial Information System - is an OpenGIS compliant suite of Windows-based and Web-enabled end user and developer digital mapping and geographic information system (GIS) software products. The suite comprises: Map Viewer, which provides support for over 45 graphic and data formats, thematics and hard copy; Cadcorp SIS Map Manager, which provides the casual user the ability to view, explore, query, symbolise and print digital map and associated tabular data; Cadcorp SIS Map Editor, which in addition to the facilities provided by Cadcorp SIS Map Manager, provides the GIS data custodian with tools to view, manage and edit map and tabular data; and Cadcorp SIS Map Modeller, which adds 3D modelling, terrain analysis and several thematic and analytic mapping tools.

Cadcorp ASC (Active Server Component) extends the functionality of Cadcorp SIS for use over the Internet or a company-wide intranet. It is a dynamic, server-side Web-based GIS, not merely a map publishing tool for pre-authored images. Cadcorp ASC provides a true, interactive Web-based solution for real time map creation and analysis.

About Cadcorp

Established in 1991, Cadcorp is a leading developer of geographic information systems (GIS) software. Based in the UK and USA, the Cadcorp distribution and VAR network stretches world-wide. Cadcorp plays a pivotal technical role in the OpenGIS Consortium.

Cadcorp SIS (Spatial Information System) is a range of software modules covering spatial data viewing, data management, data editing, data modelling and analysis. Cadcorp SIS Active X components are available for embedding into third party systems. Cadcorp ASC is the Internet/Intranet developer toolkit designed for Web based GIS solutions.

Cadcorp SIS applications exist in local government, emergency services, mapping and surveying, oil & gas, commerce, broadcasting and many others.

ENDS

For further information, contact: Chris Holcroft, Tel: 01438 747996, e-mail: chrish@cadcorp.com or Neil McLeod, Tel: 01666 504293, e-mail: neil_mcleod@compuserve.com

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