Spatial Data Services Africa
Spatial Data Services Africa NPC is a non-governmental organisation dedicated to promoting and supporting government and business in better understanding and utilising data and digital technologies to promote spatial transformation and strengthen development and policy outcomes to benefit the poor and vulnerable
About Us
We believe in the unlimited capabilities of the human brain. With the help of technology, we can solve complex problems and overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges. However, decision making and problem-solving are highly dependent on the quality and relevance data to establish facts as the basis for information that builds knowledge and understanding to respond to problems. Developing the data-to-knowledge value chain drives the team at Spatial Data Services Africa.
The establishment is SDSA is a result of restructuring MapAble (Pty) Ltd (established 2013) and the need to advance spatial data services beyond the technical confines of MapAble® as a spatial platform. The establishment of SDSA as as an non-profit company in 2022 was driven by the need to:
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- Capacitate and empower spatial planners in municipalities to play a meaningful leadership role in integrated development planning and service delivery
- Promote an integrated digitally enabled approach to spatial planning by capable and skilled planners through introducing and institutionalising appropriate data and digital systems in spatial planning
- Provide advisory support to municipalities to allow them to deal with confidence with service providers, internal departments and intergovernmental relations
- Compile, package and disseminate spatial data for the benefit of municipal planning
- To render spatial technology and data services on a consulting basis to both the private and public sector.
Spatial Data Services Africa NPC is a Level 1 B-BBEE company.
Burgert Gildenhuys
Johan du Toit
Services
An advanced geospatial platform
MapAble® is the technology platform that allows Spatial Data Services Africa to deliver services and products that is not generally available or previously possible in the spatial planning environment. MapAble® operates in an integrated web and cloud-based environment that brings together high-level software development skills and geographic information systems (GIS). MapAble® was wholly developed through our technical competencies within the framework of decades of user experience of founders and staff.
Spatial database management
Data functionality revolves around data content and the ability to source, host and maintain data from a range of sources. Our national data catalogue consists of more than than 1 400 data sets. The system is open to various web-based data formats. Third-party commercial data has become generally available. SDSA proactively enters into agreements with suppliers of commercial data sets and by adding value and packaging this data, make it accessible to our users and clients. Lastly, data functionality revolves around our clients own data. Our technology allows clients to use their data in a safe, secure manner and to integrate it with external data sets.
Spatial profiling and reporting
The system can draw reports for any chosen geographical area in South Africa and are not bound by cadastral or institutional boundaries. The flexible and dynamic reporting features of MapAble® is the one element where it outperforms any existing system. The reports can be stylised and branded to suit the user’s needs and can include graphs, tables and maps. Systems reports are query-based and draw information directly from our servers. Updates in the database are immediately reflected in new reports.
GIS and advanced spatial analysis
Spatial profiling and analysis services is a deliberate attempt to provide direct professional support to improve data analysis for planning and decision-making purposes.