Data Management

Document Management Services (DMS) provide systematic management of official documents and records. A DMS enhances space management and regenerates old, possibly out of date, often manually edited records through a methodical, rigorously managed process of digitisation and digital editing. Typically a DMS can include any or all of the following processes, depending on the client's requirements: document digitisation; document imaging; document retrieval; storage and deployment.

Document Digitisation

SBL's Document Digitisation Process is based on an in-depth analysis and understanding of the data contained within each document. This is vital to ensuring the highest levels of accuracy when migrating data to end-user formats. The service includes: document analysis; document format conversion and migration; document archiving

Document Scanning

At SBL we offer specialised scanning services that include: papers, documents, books and magazines; microfilm, microfiche and aperture cards. We use the latest, most efficient high speed scanners for all scanning projects, irrespective of size. As we regularly handle a wide range of projects, we have developed a detailed understanding of the many different client requirements that exist. All scanning services are completed on-site, by our experienced in-house team. This creates the flexibility to offer cost effective proposals, within the client’s budget.

Document Retrieval

If required, once the digitisation and archiving work has been completed, SBL can offer a retrieval service. This is a fully customised service that can be delivered either through traditional data management software, or through a GIS application. In the case of the latter we can offer all the necessary geo-referencing and geospatial database elements through our geospatial services team.

Storage and Deployment

Our data management team offers a specialist consultancy service advising on system-based storage methods, access control, and security standards. These include: assessment and estimation of document storage requirements; identification of storage spaces and channels for retrieval; analysis of storage security and system capacity; analysis of conversion compatibility and retrieval of stored document in client-specified format; deployment of documents to storage spaces; monitoring of document security and access control.

SBL Geospatial Services provide a cost-effective and accurate map digitisation service that represents analogue signals or raster images as a discrete set of points. Having been through the digitisation process the maps become much more useful and flexible, and far easier to edit and share. They also become live and evolving rather than static and inflexible.

Before any geographic image or map can be used in a GIS it must first be converted into a compatible digital / vector format. This process is known as vectorisation and is far more flexible than traditional cartography. Indeed, when used as a database, vector maps can become central to the entire asset management process allowing other information and attributes to be 'hung' on the location data and then managed within a geographical context.

We have many years of experience in this area, and have built up an enviable reputation, largely due to the reliability and scope of our work which includes:

SBL also provides mapping services according to user specifications such as:

Maps offer an important visual and contextual representation of geographical locations and features, but often this information needs to be cross-referenced and analysed. Retrieving this information from the maps is difficult, especially if they are paper maps. However, If stored in a common storage location, otherwise known as a geo-database, the information can be easily retrieved and queried. SBL can offer both the design and construction of these geo-databases, and also an ongoing database management service. In-house processing of data, web automation, and database designing & modelling require highly skilled GIS specialists and resources. Our clients gain a specific cost advantage by entrusting their jobs to us.

In recent years we have noticed a significant increase in traditional CAD customers also using GIS applications and data. This has been driven both by a number of new requirements, including Building Information Modelling (BIM) and 3D visualisation, and the rise in demand for complex spatial analysis. Changes in client expectations have also played their part.

As an established specialist in the area of CAD conversion techniques, SBL serves a wide range of customers that include: architects; surveyors; mechanical, structural and civil engineers; environmental consultants; property developers.

Our CAD outsourcing services are provided by our large, capable, highly-motivated engineering teams in India. They provide complete CAD conversion services from GIS to CAD file formats, CAD to GIS file formats, and paper to CAD digitisation; they do so with precision and quality, using global standards. The size of the team, coupled with the large volume of work completed, allows us to offer very competitive rates.

The CAD Services division also offers a well-respected parcel/Cadastral mapping service.