Newham takes a lead in making public statistics and data easily accessible for local government decision-support; using InstantAtlas to present local information online as interactive eye-catching area profiles, graphics and atlases
EDINBURGH, UK – 12th September 2007 - GeoWise, a provider of software for the clear graphical presentation of location-based statistical data, has today announced the London Borough of Newham as a new customer implementation of InstantAtlas.

Newham today launched the new 'statistics portal' of its existing Neighbourhood Information Management System (NIMS). Running on InstantAtlas, the NIMS statistics portal is a central repository enabling local strategic partners to share their data, understand and compare it - facilitating evidence-based decision-making in the borough. The NIMS statistics portal on InstantAtlas has been developed by Newham with guidance from Communities and Local Government (CLG) to support Strong and Prosperous Communities - The Local Government White Paper.

The NIMS statistics portal on InstantAtlas provides access to current local neighbourhood data on areas such as the economy, education, crime, health, benefits and population. Borough performance information can also be added allowing measurement against national targets.

"Newham and its partners collect large volumes of data - the challenge is to do more than simply publish it, but to make it accessible and understandable to policy makers so they can make solid decisions which improve people’s lives," said Lavinia Irving, NIMS Manager at London Borough of Newham. "We selected InstantAtlas because it is a powerful, yet affordable tool used very successfully by other public sector organisations."

Data can be viewed at different geographic levels and time periods as eye-catching, interactive area profiles, graphics and atlases that make patterns and trends easy to observe and explore. Partners providing and using the data include London Borough of Newham, London Fire Brigade, The Metropolitan Police, local health services and third sector organisations.

"InstantAtlas is used by a wide range of public sector organisations with a common need to publish and make accessible large volumes of data to support evidence-based decision making," commented Mike Forster, managing director of GeoWise. "We welcome London Borough of Newham as a new customer."

Newham selected InstantAtlas in mid-July 2007, taking under six weeks to convert and migrate its data and first publish it online in beta form. The implementation includes InstantAtlas Data Server, for organisations that need to manage large volumes of indicators in a central data repository with robust processes for loading and sharing data internally and externally.

See also:
http://www.newham.info

---