Stevenage, Herts, UK. 21 February, 2008. Digital mapping and geographic information systems (GIS) software developer, Cadcorp, has announced that Aragon Housing Association has recently awarded it a contract for the supply and implementation of multiple licences of Cadcorp SIS – Spatial Information System software. The new software replaces Aragon Housing Association’s existing GIS facilities from another vendor.

“One of the main reasons for switching to Cadcorp SIS was that to increase the spatial analysis and database functionality of our existing system to the level we require for the future would have been too costly,” states Graeme Gould, GIS officer, Aragon Housing Association. “With Cadcorp SIS we are getting the required level of functionality at a much more affordable cost, which means that our GIS budget stretches further.”

Aragon’s existing vector datasets, including OS MasterMap Topographic Layer base-mapping and OS MasterMap Address Layer 2, are stored in a PostgreSQL/PostGIS spatial database. Cadcorp SIS is being used to access this data, to map the association’s properties and to analyse various factors involved in the running of its core business. For example, in addition to mapping the location of properties, Cadcorp SIS is also used to map incidents of anti-social behaviour to enable the association to direct resources to where they are most needed. In addition, it enables association staff to access and to view a core catalogue of data such as floor plans, environmental reports and photographs relating to each of Aragon’s properties.

Among the benefits that Aragon Housing Association is expecting from the new Cadcorp SIS-based GIS are; the ability to analyse data spatially and to examine the relationships between its properties, society and the way in which its tenancies are managed; improved management of its property maintenance and repair programmes and contracts; improved access to the organisation’s data; and better customer service through improved information sharing.

“We are delighted that Aragon Housing Association has joined our growing list of housing association customers by choosing Cadcorp SIS to replace its old GIS,” said Mike O’Neil, managing director, Cadcorp. “We look forward to working with Aragon’s own experts to help them realise their ambitions in terms of applying GIS to the benefit of the business.”

About Aragon Housing Association
Aragon Housing Association was formed in 1994, following the transfer of homes from Mid Beds District Council. In November 1999, after a wide consultation with both tenants and staff, the association formally changed its name from Mid Beds Housing Association to Aragon Housing Association, taking its name from Katherine of Aragon, first wife of Henry VIII, who lived at Ampthill Castle in Bedfordshire from 1533 until their divorce in 1533.

With 6,500 homes, assets of £170 million and an annual turnover of £21million, Aragon is one of the fastest growing not-for-profit landlords in southern England. It is rated among the top 25% performing associations in the UK, is the highest ranking association in a government survey of large scale voluntary transfer associations and manages over 6,500 homes across Bedfordshire and is now also working in Milton Keynes, Northampton, Luton, Aylesbury and Cambridgeshire.

About Cadcorp
Established in 1991, Cadcorp is a leading UK developer of digital mapping and geographic information systems (GIS) software. With offices in the UK and the USA, Cadcorp's distribution and value-added reseller (VAR) network stretches worldwide. The company also plays a pivotal technical role in the Open Geospatial Consortium, Inc.® (OGC®).

The Cadcorp SIS - Spatial Information System product family is fully integrated digital mapping and GIS software that uses OGC certified compliant interfaces. Cadcorp technical director Martin Daly is an OGC Gardels Medal holder for his contribution to the OGC, and was one of the original members of the OGC Architecture Board. Cadcorp is an ISO9001:2000 and ISO/IEC 27001:2005 certified company, an Ordnance Survey GB Licensed Partner and Ordnance Survey Northern Ireland Licensed Partner. Cadcorp SIS applications exist in local government, central government, emergency services, insurance, oil & natural gas, mapping and surveying, commerce, utilities and many other markets. (For more information please visit: http://www.cadcorp.com).