Case Study

From Raw Data to National Map Updates witha Single Platform
Streamlining Photogrammetry Processes for Ordnance Survey ofNorthern Ireland

Every day, leaders at all levels of government
make decisions about legislation, infrastructure,transportation, and other issues that affect thecitizens within their borders. As diverse as these typesof decisions are, they all have something in common:location.
Answering the question of “where” for an entire nation
is often a task for national mapping agencies. Ordnance
Survey of Northern Ireland (OSNI), part of Land &Property Services (LPS), manages this task for Northern
Ireland.

Model were not as well-aligned. In fact, OSNI used two
siloed systems, where vector data was captured andedited in a stereo photogrammetry system and data
attribution and validation were carried out in anothersystem.
To overcome the inefficiencies and challenges fromdisconnected systems, OSNI needed a GIS software
platform that could:•Provide aerial triangulation, stereo editing, digital
elevation model generating, and ortho production

LPS collects, processes, and manages land andproperty information in support of economic and socialdevelopment. OSNI’s part in that role includes numerous
mapping and location data responsibilities, from data
gathering and editing to production of ortho photographyand creation and updating of Digital Surface and Digital
Terrain Models.

•Operate within OSNI’s new Data Model, OSNI Fusion,and integrate with the existing workflow system•

Integrate and function efficiently with the highresolution aerial photography and related data
output formats created with OSNI’s existing
hardware

While OSNI’s work results in a seamless and complete
view of Northern Ireland, the processes and systems
it employed post-implementation of a new OSNI Data

Most importantly, OSNI needed to meet all requirementswith one integrated solution.

Using One Cost-Effective Platform
OSNI selected IMGS, a long-time Hexagon partner
in Ireland, to implement a single, end-to-end,
integrated software platform to meet the group’srequirements. The result was a platform based on
two tools from Hexagon, the GeoMedia GIS solution
and the ImageStation production mapping andphotogrammetry solution.
Ultimately, OSNI selected IMGS and Hexagon for
two reasons: not only did the team meet all thetechnical requirements with just one platform, butthey also provided the most cost-effective solution.
“We now have a single software package that
handles image processing, aerial triangulation,generation of Digital Elevation Models (DTM andDSM), and the production of ortho photography,”said Darren Lawlor, Remote Sensing Operations
manager at OSNI. “All of these processes havebeen brought together under the GeoMedia/ImageStation platform, allowing a seamless flowfrom processed imagery to final product creation.”

Bringing Geospatial Data and Operational
Success Closer Together
The solution from Hexagon and IMGS has brought together
previously siloed systems into a seamless new platform,
benefiting all organizations in need of quality mapping
products in Northern Ireland.
“It has provided LPS with a consolidated platform that hasenabled LPS to continue its production and supply of imagederived products, driven efficiencies within sub-processes
through automation, and has allowed LPS to implement a
new data model by integrating with the existing workflow
management system,” said Lawlor.
With the platform, OSNI has shortened the length of time
between data creation and operational use.
Contact us to learn more about how Hexagon and its global
partner network can simplify data management and increase
operational efficiency for your organization.

Integrated with OSNI’s existing workflow system(1Spatial’s 1SMS suite), the platform provides thetools and functionality for editing OSNI Fusion data,
complying with the requirements of the OSNI Data
Model through FME Server validation. This ensuresthat data is validated and corrected before beingcommitted to the OSNI Fusion database.
With the platform, OSNI processes aerial sensor
imagery into the national ortho imagery for
Northern Ireland. This imagery is then used toupdate a national large-scale vector map ofNorthern Ireland – the sole authorized nationalvector map of the area – which is used by numerous
agencies for GIS purposes, photogrammetry,monoplotting, or terrain map production fromdigital aerial imagery. It answers the question of“where” for Northern Ireland.

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