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'VI Open for business' map app to receive special international award

- interactive map gives detail of businesses that are fully operational
The ‘BVI Open for Business’ map application that was launched on January 5 by the government following the aftermath of the hurricanes of September 2017 has been selected to receive a Special Achievement in Geographic Information System award. VINO/App
Homepage from the interactive map application. Photo: VINO/App
Homepage from the interactive map application. Photo: VINO/App
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - The ‘BVI Open for Business’ map application that was launched on January 5, 2018, by the government following the aftermath of the hurricanes of September 2017 has been selected to receive a Special Achievement in Geographic Information System award.

The map, which was developed by the Town and Country Planning Department, is a crowdsourcing application which is built on a platform that allows its users to populate as updated information becomes available.

The award ceremony will be held at the annual Esri International User Conference in San Diego California from July 9 to 13, 2018.

The Esri conference will showcase the department and its important contribution to GIS online, along with receiving an award, which was submitted by Esri staff from thousands of organisations worldwide and then personally selected by the President of the organisation, Mr Jack Dangermond.

“Extremely proud and grateful for the opportunity”- Gregory W. Adams

Meanwhile, Mr Gregory W. Adams, Chief Planner for the Town and Country Planning Department, said the user-friendly application is a detailed map that outlines the precise location based on the geographic and special arrangements of the businesses.

Mr Adams expressed that he is extremely proud and grateful for the opportunity to be selected to receive such a prestigious award.

“My staff has worked hard especially in the wake of hurricane Irma on many GIS mapping applications to assist with the recovery effort. It is indeed gratifying to see their hard work being acknowledged by this prestigious organisation,” expressed Mr Adams.

The Chief Planner also stated that the app includes the present location of businesses, contact details, their operating hours and virtual representation of the business location on a map, while encouraging businesses that are currently operating and are not included on the map to enter their information so that people know where they are.

“The application is easy to use and when making an input, information sharers can click on the map to add their establishment. The app will sync with the GPS on their device, and three simple drop-down menus will appear prompting the user to input the name, contact and operation hours of the business,” he said.

He continued, “The application serves as a convenient information source for users, while businesses are able to advertise their services, which helps the economy by making information available for both residents and visitors so that they can patronise these businesses.”

The map is compatible with all electronic devices with location and GPS functions. To access the BVI Open for Business application, the public should visit https://goo.gl/g1HRFc.

Residents experience with app

Our newsroom sought out person’s reaction to the map application and they all shared the same sentiments that the app is very useful, while expressing that it was hard after the hurricane to find businesses because they relocated.

Natalie M. Flemming, a VI resident, expressed that she used the app a few times to locate some of the government businesses that were relocated following the hurricanes of last year.

“After hurricane Irma and Maria, it was chaos finding businesses and people was just sending you all over the place and it was frustrating at times. So I am glad the government start up that app,” said Ms Flemming.

Another resident told our news reporter that the app is a “good thing” because he used it to help find the new locations of places that relocated after the hurricane, while stating that it is a good way to advertise.

Speaking with a taxi driver, Mr Burt C. Georges, he explained that he was glad when he heard about the app because he indicated that he uses it when he is transporting tourists.

He said, “I use it to recommend different places to tourists and it helps me find businesses that move to somewhere else. I like the app.”

2 Responses to “'VI Open for business' map app to receive special international award”

  • bat cave (01/05/2018, 18:15) Like (0) Dislike (7) Reply
    Blah blah blah blah blah blah
  • just here (01/05/2018, 18:40) Like (2) Dislike (5) Reply
    nice, so someone can look down into your toilet. in keeping with the anti-privacy UK legislation. everything
    has to be everyone elses business. gee.


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