Spatial Informatics Lab (SIL)

The Spatial Informatics Lab (SIL) was launched in January 2008. It provides a much-needed state-of -the-art facility for research and expertise that is currently widely scattered across the University. It offers the opportunity for the critical utilization of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Geodemographic Information Systems (GDIS) and other methodologies for the analysis of spatially referenced cultural, social, environmental and other data.

Facilities

The SIL contains 10 x twin processor SUN Java Workstations, based on the 64bit AMD Opteron system. These systems run Windows-64 and are binary-compatible with existing Windows applications. The graphics card supports stereo graphics for 3-d visualisation software. Data backup facilities are also available. A Canon W8200, an A0 6ink 1,200dpi bubble jet plotter is available. This device can operate with cut-sheet media from A4 to A0, or with roll-fed media and has the capability of using both dye-based and pigment-based inks.

Software

GIS software is already provided across the university through existing site licenses, as are the statistics packages SAS, SPSS and STATA. The SIL hardware will allow us to exploit our existing licenses for ArcGIS/ArcInfo/ArcIMS, Geomatica, the Ordnance Survey digital map data through Digimap, the Bartholomew map data, the Census Boundary data, satellite imagery and historic map data.

Also available is the Oracle database system which also has provision for the storage of spatial information and most analysis packages have Oracle interfaces such that Oracle can be used as the data integration layer: this includes the GIS packages and SAS, SPSS and STATA. Spatial statistical analysis vcane be undertaken using the R package - which also includes an Oracle interface.

SIL also provides access to two PostCode datasets: the PAF and the PostZon products, which provides the cross-reference between PostCodes and Local Authority Wards and NHS area codes, plus a National Grid location reference. Micromarketer - from Experian - is the leading commercial geodemographics package and this is also available, giving access to analysis based upon the MOSAIC geodemographic system.

 

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Further information