ESBI Computing helps Forfás Visualise Ireland's Infrastructure

February 2002

ESBI Computing recently implemented a Government-backed project for Forfás, Ireland's National Policy & Advisory Board for Enterprise, Trade, Science, Technology & Innovation. The project was undertaken as part of the Government's commitment to achieve greater balance in the distribution of economic activity within Ireland. A database profiling the physical and social infrastructure of strategic importance to the enterprise sector currently available throughout the country was designed. The purpose of the web-site is to:

• Provide up-to-date information on the physical and social infrastructures of the regions and enterprises operating therein
• Facilitate timely and effective policy analysis and development
• Provide a user friendly access / marketing tool to promote investment in the regions and to assist in policy development for the enterprise sector
• Act as an Internet portal for data relating to regional development.

To achieve these objectives, ESBI Computing developed a web-site incorporating powerful Web GIS functionality. The web-site provides a large database for 123 towns with a population of 1500+ and maps illustrating the spatial dimension of their Infrastructure. For example, you can access information on items of infrastructure ranging from the local water supply and treatment, landfill site, electricity, gas, telecommunications and transport infrastructure to hospital facilities, demographics, third-level education facilities, etc. The web-site was developed to present detailed data in a simple and intuitive manner, as it caters for both the public and specialist organisations including government agencies. The site can be viewed at www.infrastructure.ie.

Marie Bourke, the Regional Database Manager of Forfás said:

"The database highlights the existing and planned stock of infrastructure in each of the selected towns and provides a powerful tool for those undertaking policy analysis for the enterprise sector. ESBI Computing has been very professional in the development of the site and our experience of working with ESBI Computing has been excellent."

ESBI Computing also trained Forfás staff on maintenance of the database and mapping functionality and provides ongoing maintenance and support to Forfás.

Having proven expertise in developing powerful yet simple to use Web GIS, ESBI Computing is confident that it can bring the benefits of visualising data through GIS to a much wider audience. Adrienne Eacrett, Geo Business Manager saw it as a milestone:

'We are delighted to have been awarded this project, as it is one of the first web-enabled GIS Internet sites to be developed for the Government with funding from the Information Society Fund. We have also particularly enjoyed the experience of working with Forfás'.

More Information :
Adrienne Eacrett, Manager GeoBusiness Solutions, ESBI Computing
adrienne.eacrett@esbi.ie
Tel: +353-1-7038474