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Early Adopters Programme
EDINA is seeking applications for the OS MasterMap Early Adopters (EA) Programme. The programme will involve delivering OS MasterMap data to six trial institutions, prior to its release to the whole user community in preparation for the complete withdrawal of the Land-Line data product in August 2008.
This document aims to answer some common questions about the programme. If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to contact the EDINA Helpdesk on 0131 650 3302 or email edina@ed.ac.uk
This document is also available as a PDF for download
Frequently Asked Questions
- What will the programme offer us?
- What differences will there be in the service we receive via Digimap?
- What advantages do we get from joining the EA programme?
- Will it cost us any money to join the programme?
- What will we have to do in return?
- Will Land-Line still be available to those who need it?
- Do we have to sign anything?
- What support will be available to us for using OS MasterMap?
- What changes will we need to make to our infrastructure?
- Will it involve a lot of work on the part of individuals?
- Do we need a GIS expert in order to take part?
- Will we need specialist staff to help us adopt OS MasterMap Data?
What will the programme offer us?
Joining the Early Adopters Programme will give you early access to the Topographic and ITN layers of OS MasterMap data. Land-Line data is being withdrawn by the Ordnance Survey and is being replaced by OS MasterMap. This also means that MasterMap will replace Land-Line in all online mapping facilities. In preparation for this switch, EDINA is offering OS MasterMap to a small range of institutions prior to the complete withdrawal of Land-Line from the Digimap service. Joining the Early Adopters Programme will give your institution a chance to use both datasets simultaneously, and time to make any changes required, in terms of hardware, network, support structures, disk space etc.
What differences will there be in the service we receive via Digimap?
To all intents and purposes Digimap will remain as it is. The main differences will be as follows:
- In all mapping facilities, Land-Line maps will be replaced by OS MasterMap maps. These may look slightly different in cartographic terms, but they will remain as detailed as Land-Line maps and will offer improved currency.
- An additional OS MasterMap data download facility will be available to users in your institution. This will offer only OS MasterMap data. The current data download facility will remain exactly as it is. The OS MasterMap download facility will be a prototype and may be subject to change during the course of the EA programme. It may also be unavailable for short periods from time to time (with advanced warning wherever possible).
- Additional help pages will be available giving details of how to use OS MasterMap with various GIS applications, what software is available and how to manage OS MasterMap.
What advantages do we get from joining the EA programme?
OS MasterMap will eventually replace Land-Line completely. Joining the EA programme gives you a head start in converting all your research and teaching to the new dataset while the old dataset is still available as a backup resource.
Will it cost us any money to join the programme?
There is no joining fee, or additional subscription cost to participate in the EA programme. However, your institution may incur costs in upgrading hardware, software and network facilities to cope with the new dataset. You should read the documents provided on the web at: http://edina.ac.uk/mastermap/resources/resources.shtml
What will we have to do in return?
In return for gaining access to OS MasterMap early, EDINA asks that you assist in the development of the delivery service and introduction of OS MasterMap by responding to questionnaires and enquiries about the delivery mechanism, the data and itís onward use. We will be asking questions of both end users and support staff, so the cooperation of all is appreciated.
Will Land-Line still be available to those who need it?
Yes, although making use of Land-Line for ongoing, longer-term projects should be discouraged since it will cease to be available in August 2008. It should also be noted that the version of Land-Line data available through Digimap will be dated June 2006. It will not be updated after this.
Do we have to sign anything?
EDINA will ask you to sign a commitment to participate.
What support will be available to us for using OS MasterMap?
EDINAís usual helpdesk services will be available to all your users. The helpdesk is staffed from 9am to 5pm, Mondays to Fridays. EDINAís Geoservices Support team will also be available to answer questions about the delivery mechanism, retrieving data, importing data to a GIS, and about data management. We cannot promise to provide perfect solutions to every problem, but we will try our best to help you or to identify other sources of assistance.
What changes will we need to make to our infrastructure?
This depends on the state of your existing infrastructure. Please read the documents found on our website here: http://edina.ac.uk/mastermap/resources/resources.shtml
Will it involve a lot of work on the part of any individuals?
We hope not. You will need to nominate a person to act as a point of contact between EDINA and your institution. We will expect to maintain close contact with this person, who should be prepared to consult with other users within your institution regarding their use of the delivery mechanism and the data, and assist in identifying any problems.
Do we need a GIS expert in order to take part?
Adopting OS MasterMap data will be easier if you can call on the expertise of a GIS specialist, but it is by no means essential. Indeed, we will be looking for at least one institution which does not have such support, since we need to learn what additional resources might be required to assist other such institutions.
Will we need specialist staff to help us adopt OS MasterMap data?
Again, this is not essential, but will help.