So much of the data that we use every day has a spatial element, but it is only relatively recently that many organisations have started to realise the power of the “where” component in their data. Traditionally, geographic information systems have been very expensive to build and maintain, and have been the preserve of the emergency services, utility companies and government agencies. However, with the launch of internet-based mapping services from the likes of Google, Yahoo! and Microsoft, everyone is now able to exploit the full potential of their geographic data.

The public transport industry is no exception: the NaPTAN, TransXChange and SIRI standards used by operators and local authorities all rely on having accurate underlying geographic data, in order that downstream services such as journey planning and real-time passenger information systems can work effectively.

All of ADP’s products and services have therefore been designed with geographic data in mind from the outset. For example, ADP’s NaPTAN data manager easyNaPTAN and timetable manager easySCHED are built around intuitive “slippy-map” drag-and-drop user interfaces. Both work seamlessly in conjunction with our own GIS framework easyGIS, but with the appropriate plugin, either application can be configured for use with the third party web mapping services of your choice.

The concept of application re-use via plugins and interfaces is very important to us at ADP, as it enables us to offer lower cost solutions and avoid duplication of functionality (and data) for our clients. After all, if you’re already paying for an application, data set or service from a third party, why should we insist that you buy it again, when we could integrate with it instead?