Snowflake Software launches ‘INSPIRE as a Service’ at AGI Conference

Snowflake Software, Silver Sponsors at last week’s AGI GeoCommunity ’10 conference, has announced a brand new service for INSPIRE in the UK; starting with support for Annex I INSPIRE datasets.

INSPIRE as a Service is a new offering from Snowflake to assist UK organisations in achieving INSPIRE compliance.  Whilst the UK Location Programme (UKLP) INSPIRE initiative offers support for INSPIRE, there are still steps that organisations need to take in order to ensure compliance and maximise the benefits:

• Understand INSPIRE legislation and how it applies;
• Understand the INSPIRE Annex I data models and how they apply to data;
• Train staff in new INSPIRE technologies;
• Purchase a hardware platform to run an INSPIRE solution on;
• Dedicate resource to install, build, operate and maintain INSPIRE commitments;
• Transform data to the appropriate INSPIRE Annex I datasets.

INSPIRE as a Service

To help organisations overcome these challenges, Snowflake has come up with a set of flexible consultancy and hosting services called ‘Bundles’. If you need to create INSPIRE data to one or more of the Annex I themes, Snowflake offers a service. From doing it all for you to providing you with the support you need to manage it yourself:

Create INSPIRE data with the Theme Bundle: we’ll create your INSPIRE metadata; transform your source data to the relevant Annex I theme; create a report highlighting the mapping and any issues; and host a one day INSPIRE workshop to discuss the results.

View INSPIRE data with the View Bundle: We’ll upload your data to our server; deploy a secure INSPIRE View Service; and host and support the View Service for you.

Download INSPIRE data with the Download Bundle: We’ll upload your data to our server; deploy a Secure INSPIRE Download Service; and host and support the Download Service for you.

The bundled services are fixed cost per INSPIRE theme so there’s no hidden extras along the way.

If organisations don’t need a complete solution, but need some help and support to achieve compliance, Snowflake also offers support in the way of ‘Agile Consultancy Sprint Packs’. The sprint packs can be bought in two weeks bundles.

Ian Painter, Managing Director comments:

“‘Agile’ is a new software and project management technique that we’ve adopted. It gives us flexibility to react quickly to your changing needs and gives you complete transparency throughout our working relationship – something we’re really passionate about.”

Debbie Wilson, Business Consultant and INSPIRE domain expert added;

“The new bundled services offer organisations transparency and flexibility to meet the criteria of the INSPIRE framework, in a way that suits their business and organisational needs. And all the while being able to control costs whilst maximising productivity.”

Anyone wishing to find out more about INSPIRE as a Service from Snowflake Software should contact info@snowflakesoftware.com or visit the website: www.snowflakesoftware.com/iaas/