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Because of our vision to spatially enable organisations, we focus on implementing Open Geospatial Information Systems (OGIS) ensuring optimal access to all data throughout your organisation. Implementing an OGIS compliant system ensures that users have access to all types of data allowing them to input data, query data, manage data and output data in any OGIS compliant format.

We literally open the doors of information and data by enabling your organization to capture data through different systems and databases into a centralized OGIS database. The data is stored in OGIS format, which is a totally open format, allowing users in your organisation to access the data in the database, through any system or desktop software (which is OGIS compliant).

Software supported: Oracle, SQL Server, Autodesk, Munsys and ESRI. Based in Centurion, South Africa, Open Spatial Solutions has successfully completed a number of national projects, as well as internationally based projects in Namibia.

OSS is actively involved in GIS development in South Africa and is a member of the Geo-Information Society of South Africa (GISSA).



A note to our clients:
Wilhelm Herbst, Managing Director of Open Spatial Solutions (OSS) has decided to relocate to the Western Cape. As Wilhelm is still a senior shareholder in the company, he will continue to be involved in the strategic decision making and on an ad-hoc basis as and when needed. He will, however, no longer be involved in the day to day management of OSS. This honour will now fall on Martiens Pelser. OSS will still have access to Wilhelm’s advice and the same team that always delivered to you in the past will still deliver in the future.

About Us

Open Spatial Solutions specialises in the implementation of Spatial Solutions for National, Provincial and Local Government based on the OpenGIS standards where all spatial data is stored in Spatial Data Object format in Oracle.

We integrate spatial information with business information in order to provide a better decision-making platform by designing, developing and implementation of centralised, web-enabled management information systems. The company is dedicated to service excellence and customer care within the GIS industry.

Our Vision is to be a loyal team that has created a sustainable client base by providing service excellence and client specific solutions. It is our goal to provide a total solution for our customers' spatial needs.

Our senior consultants count amongst the most experienced in the GIS market and are recognised in municipalities for over 10 years.


Services

Open Spatial Solutions specialises in the development and implementation of spatially enabled management information systems making use of the following methodology:

  • User Requirement Analysis
  • Strategic Planning and design
  • Data Acquisition and capture
  • Database design with specific focus on Oracle as the database component
  • System design, development and integration
  • Software application development
  • Project Management
  • User training
  • Support and maintenance (Service Level Agreement)

OSS Team

Wilhelm Herbst

Martiens Pelser
Managing Director
mpelser@openspatial.co.za

Martiens Pelser

Wilhelm Herbst
Chairman: Board of Directors
wherbst@openspatial.co.za

Elize Herbst

Elize Herbst
Financial Manager
eherbst@openspatial.co.za

Laurette Coetzee

Laurette Coetzee
Manager: Account Management
lcoetzee@openspatial.co.za

Willie van Wijk

Willie van Wijk
Manager: Business Development
wvanwijk@openspatial.co.za

Schalk van der Westhuizen

Schalk van der Westhuizen
Business Development Executive
schalk@openspatial.co.za

Hein Brand

Hein Brand
Account Manager
hbrand@openspatial.co.za

Percy Jackson

Percy Jackson
Manager: Technical Department
pjackson@openspatial.co.za

Anneke Claassen

Anneke Claassen
GIS Business Consultant
aclaassen@openspatial.co.za

Heidi Meyer

Heidi Meyer
Senior Developer
hmeyer@openspatial.co.za

Jan Hendrik Rossouw

Jan-Hendrik Rossouw
Developer
jhrossouw@openspatial.co.za

Sonel Doman

Sonél Doman
Developer
sdoman@openspatial.co.za

Maretha van der Linde

Maretha van der Linde
Junior GIS Business Analyst
maretha@openspatial.co.za

Colleen du Plessis

Colleen du Plessis
Sales
cduplessis@openspatial.co.za

Marius janse van Rensburg

Marius Janse van Rensburg
GIS Technologist
marius@openspatial.co.za

Schalk Phillips

Schalk Phillips
GIS Technician
sphillips@openspatial.co.za

Stephan Muller

Stefan Müller
GIS Technician
smuller@openspatial.co.za

Charl Beukes

Charl Beukes
GIS Technician
charl@openspatial.co.za

Hilda Msiza

Hilda Msiza
Receptionist/Office Administration
hilda@openspatial.co.za

Johannes Lekoko

Johannes Lekoko
Messenger/Capturer
johannes@openspatial.co.za

Teresa Mbuto

Teresa Mbuto
Data Capturer/Office Administration

 

Mxolisi Sibeko
Project Contractor

Samantha Ernest
Project Contractor

Laurene Bokkies
Project Contractor

Products & Partners


ORACLE (www.oracle.com)

We base our spatial solutions on OpenGIS standards where all spatial data is stored in Spatial Data Object (SDO) format in Oracle



AUTODESK (www.autodesk.com)

Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise 2008
Autodesk MapGuide open source 1.2.0
Autodesk Map 3D 2008



MUNSYS (www.munsys.com)

The Munsys product range offers an integrated set of spatial applications that cater for the growing needs of utility and government organisations to efficiently manage infrastructure.



Farm IT (www.farm-it.co.za)

Farm IT offers a total-solution internet-based farm management system. As the biggest provider of Spatial information to the South African agricultural sector, the Farm-IT offering enables better agricultural planning and decision-making.


LOJALIS (www.lojalis.co.za)

IT related recruitment


Spatial Reference (www.spatialreference.co.za)

An Online Surveying Related Service that includes Control Point Searches, Co-ordinate Conversions and Calculations.

Memberships

The Company has personnel with membership of the following associations, institutes and organisations:

  • GISSA - Geo Information Society of South Africa - 2 Members on the Executive Committee
  • GISSA Gauteng - Members
  • GISSA Mpumalanga - 1 member on Executive Committee
  • PLATO – Professional Statutory Body - 4x Professional GISc Practitioners and 2x GISc Technologists
  • SAPPI – Non Professional Planner

Technical Skills

Our senior consultants counts amongst the most experienced in the GIS market and are recognised nationally and internationally. Our consultants have been involved in the implementation of spatial solutions for over ten years.


The Company’s Technical personnel, who are all experts in their fields, work closely with each other to ensure best-output and personal growth.


The levels of expertise include the following:

+ GIS Professionals

The following is required for this level of expertise:

  • Effective communication with fellow IT staff and with users of information systems, in the form of& written and verbal communication
  • Strategic planning with client that include short, medium and long-term goals in line with the client's mandate
  • Facilitation of workshops with clients
  • Planning, specification writing, interviews with the client, technical proposals to the client, analysis of results and writing of the final report to the client
  • Personnel management, logistics and financial management
  • Use and proficiency of modern technology is essential
  • Project management - This includes project planning, costing, determination of work procedures, resource allocation, project control, progress monitoring and reporting.
  • Knowledge of Oracle spatial databases in order to promote the working and integration of such databases
  • Autodesk/Munsys knowledge in order to promote the utilisation of such products/applications

+ GIS Technologist/Senior/Junior Developer

The following is required for this level of expertise:

  • Must be able to work with different data models designing feature classifications and definitions design of symbology types, styles and colour.
  • Spatial analysis - This includes cartographic modelling, topological, buffer and Boolean type analysis for vector data.
  • Project management - This includes project planning, costing, determination of work procedures,resource allocation, project control, progress monitoring and reporting.
  • An understanding of different types of computer systems and the use of computer technology in business
  • Describe the different computers systems and associated hardware and network configurations; and investigate (sometimes under supervision) its use within organisations.
  • The ability to identify different problem solving techniques, and when and how to apply them
  • Computer architecture, networking and operating systems concepts, as well a s different data storage methods. 
  • An understanding of Computer Programming Principles by producing program segments explaining variousprogramming principles.
  • Working effectively as a team member within a development project environment, taking part in team activities and understanding different roles within different support teams.
  • Knowledg of the techniques & skills needed to understand fundamental programming principles by creating a computer program that combines the assessed outcomes in funda mental programming.
  • Standard operating system skills; working in a networked environment with centralised servers and printers; working with GIS software and databases.
  • Data manipulation - This includes data processing; transformations; spatial datacleaning; data editing; attribute data cleaning; basic data classification; capture and metadata maintenance; map projections and re-projections; working with database files; performing queries; data integration merging, splitting and aggregations.
  • Extensive knowledge of Oracle spatial databases in order to design and structure tables effectively as well as developing and executing basic and advanced SQL scripts.
  • Extensive knowledge of Autodesk/Munsys products/applications

+ GIS Technicians


The following is required for this level of expertise:

  • Must be able to work with different data models; designing feature classifications and definitions, desig of symbology types, styles and colour.
  • An understanding of different types of computer systems and the use of computer technology in business
  • Working effectively as a team member within a development project environment, taking part in team activities and understanding different roles within different support teams. 
  • Knowledge of the techniques & skills needed to understand fundamental programming principles by creating a computer program that combines the assessed outcomes in funda mental programming.
  • Standard operating system skills; working in a networked environment with centralised servers and printers; working with GIS software and databases.
  • Data manipulation: This includes data processing; transformations; spatial data cleaning; data editing; attribute data cleaning; basic data classification; capture and metadata maintenance; map projections and re-projections; working with database files; performing queries; data integration merging, splitting and aggregations.
  • Knowledge of Oracle spatial databases in order to design and structure tables effectively as well as developing and executing basic SQL scripts.
  • Extensive knowledge of Autodesk/Munsys products/applications

+ GIS Operators/GIS Data Capturers

The following is required for this level of expertise:

  • Data collection and capture - This includes digitising from map compilation or ortho-images; data capture from co-ordinates or general plans as well as the related attribute information.
  • Data manipulation - This includes data processing; spatial data cleaning; data editing; attribute data cleaning; basic data classification and capture.
  • Basic understanding/knowledge of Oracle in order to capture spatial and attribute information and posting it to the database.
  • Basic understanding/ knowledge Autodesk/Munsys products/applications to capture data

+ Project Manager

The most important activity is in planning, detailed, systematic, team-involved plans that will ensure the foundation of project success.

When events conspire to change the plan, the project manager must update the project plan. Planning and re-planning is a reoccurringstask.

We ensure that professional standa rds and best practices are built into our project plans.

Not only do these models typically support quality, they help to minimise rework. When time or budget pressures seem to encourage taking short cuts, we identify and defend the best project life cycle for the job.

The project manager and project team creates a tangible picture of the finished deliverables in the minds of everyone involved so that all effort is focused in the same direction. Avoid vague descriptions at all costs; spell it out; picture it, prototype it, and make sure everyone agrees to it.


Project Experience

Open Spatial Solutions has implemented our municipal SeIS systems at the following Municipalities:

  • Sedibeng District Municipality
    • Lesedi Local Municipality
    • Emfuleni Local Municipality
  • Lekwa Local Municipality
  • Ehlanzeni District Municipality
    • Umjindi Local Municipality
    • Umkomazi Local Municipality
    • Thaba Chweu Local Municipality
    • Bushbuckridge Local Municipality
  • OR Tambo Municipality
    • Mbizana Local Municipality
    • Mtabankulu Local Municipality
    • Qaukeni Local Municipality
    • Port St Johns Local Municipality
    • Nyandeni Local Municipality
    • Mhlontlo Local Municipality
    • King Sebata Dalindyebo Local Municipality
  • Lephalale Local Municipality
  • Polokwane Local Municipality
  • Mookgopong Local Municipality
  • Steve Tshwete Local Municipality
  • Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality
  • Johannesburg Water
  • Frances Baard District Municipality

The following clients are also using our open systems developed/customised according to their requirements:

  • Chief Surveyor General
  • National Department of Education
  • Northwest Education
  • Chris Hani District Municipality – Environmental Health
  • City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality – Environmental Health

Open Spatial Solutions are currently developing systems for the following clients:

  • Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency

Open Spatial Solutions compiled User Requirement Assessment Reports for the following organisations:

  • Botswana Ministry of Environmental, Water and Tourism
  • Eskom Distribution

Social Responsibility

OSS assisted with the Department of Education’s North West Improvement Strategy Upgrading of the Mosekaphofu Secondary School in Zeerust, as part of the OSS upliftment Policy. OSS provided the material needed whilst the staff completed the tasks listed:

  • Install a pump in the borehole and provide the pump with electricity
  • Set up a water tank; link it to the water tank as well as the bathrooms
  • Fix the toilets
  • Service all the lights in the school
  • Install new lights where needed
  • Paint the school (4 buildings outside and 8 rooms inside)
  • Sand down and varnish all the doors and other wood work
  • Supplied seeds for a vegetable garden

In line with the 5-year Employment Equity Plan Open Spatial Solutions employs contractors off the street (from the PDI sector) without any qualifications. We train them in-house formally and informally in GIS applications and principles to work on our capturing projects. Many of these contractors are now employed by other organisations based on the experience that they build up in Open Spatial Solutions. Skills transfer takes place during these projects to ensure that these contractors can operate the applications effectively and efficiently.

We sponsored R5000-00 as part of the Century Electrical Cycle Race in aid of Vanderbijlpark-Wes NG’s fund raising.


OGIS Workshop 2008

Open Spatial Solutions’ annual GIS workshop will be from 19 to 24 October 2008 at RAU Island at the Vaaldam.
A strong focus will be on the following:

  • Open Source
  • Open Source MapGuide
  • Oracle Spatial

Please contact Colleen on our office numbers or email cduplessis@openspatial.co.za for more details.

Click on PLATO Registration to register for PLATO

PHYSICAL ADDRESS:

168 Gouws Avenue
Raslouw
Centurion
0149

POSTAL ADDRESS:

PO Box 1307
Rooihuiskraal
Centurion
0154


Phone: +27 12 666-7000/8067
Fax: +27 12 666-8022


DIRECTIONS TO GET TO OUR OFFICES:

GPS Points      25°50’49.39”S     28°07’41.81”E


+ From the N1 to Pietersburg

  • Take the N1 from Pietersburg towards Johannesburg.
  • Take the John Vorster off-ramp and at the traffic light, turn left.
  • Continue over 4 traffic lights and the fifth traffic light crosses Hendrik Verwoerd - turn left.
  • At the third traffic light, you will cross Old Johannesburg Road (Still in Hendrik Verwoerd)
  • Again you will pass 2 traffic lights and at the third light you will see a Sasol Garage on your left as well as the Mall@Reds.
  • Turn right into Rooihuiskraal Road.
  • Continue around two circles until you reach another traffic light which crosses Ruimte Road.
  • Cross Ruimte Road (the Old Krugersdorp Road) into Wierdapark.
  • Carry on over a 3 way stop street and enter the Raslouw area through a security gate which is usually open. (If it is closed, press the intercom and they will open the gate for you)
  • You are now in Gouws Avenue. Cross one four way stop street and carry on to the top of the hill.
  • On the crest of the hill on your left is the entrance with sand-coloured walls and a wooden gate. You will see the Open Spatial Solution sign. Press the intercom button with "Open Spatial" on it.

+ From the N1 to Johannesburg

  • Take the N1 North towards Pretoria.
  • When you reach the "Mint", take the Old Johannesburg off-ramp and at the traffic light, turn right into the Old Johannesburg road (in a Northerly direction towards Pretoria).
  • At the first traffic light turn left into Uitsig Avenue (Dual Road)
  • Cross the first traffic light.
  • Cross the first 4 way stop.
  • At the next Four Way stop (School diagonally across the street), turn right into Rooihuiskraal Avenue.
  • Carry on for quite a while with Rooihuiskraal Avenua crossing a few robots and stops. You will pass the Mall@Reds on your left.
  • Cross Ruimte Road (the Old Krugersdorp Road) into Wierdapark.
  • Carry on over a 3 way stop street and enter the Raslouw area through a security gate which is usually open. (If it is closed, press the intercom and they will open the gate for you)
  • You are now in Gouws Avenue. Cross one four way stop street and carry on to the top of the hill.
  • On the crest of the hill on your left is the entrance with sand-coloured walls and a wooden gate. You will see the Open Spatial Solution sign. Press the intercom button with "Open Spatial" on it.

+ From the R28 to Fountains

  • Turn left onto the Old Johannesburg Road. Cross 2 traffic lights.
  • Also cross the third traffic light and continue over a little bridge which crosses the Henoopsriver.
  • At the first traffic light after the bridge, turn right into Rumite Road (Road going to Eldoraigne).
  • Carry on over about a few traffic lights, pass the Kentucky on your left and at the second traffic light after Kentucky turn right into Gouws Avenue (If you turn left, you turn into Rooihuiskraal Street).
  • Carry on over a 3 way stop street and enter the Raslouw area through a security gate which is usually open. (If it is closed, press the intercom and they will open the gate for you)
  • You are now in Gouws Avenue. Cross one four way stop street and carry on to the top of the hill.
  • On the crest of the hill on your left is the entrance with sand-coloured walls and a wooden gate. You will see the Open Spatial Solution sign. Press the intercom button with "Open Spatial" on it.

+ From the N14 to Krugersdorp

  • Take the Krugersdorp Highway towards Pretoria.
  • Take the Pretoria West/Sanston off-ramp and turn left.
  • When you get to the circle, go around 270 in the directon of Eldoraigne/Wierde Park.
  • At the second traffic light, turn left into Gouws Avenue. (If you turn right, you turn into Roohuiskraal Avenue)
  • Carry on over a 3 way stop street and enter the Raslouw area through a security gate which is usually open. (If it is closed, press the intercom and they will open the gate for you)
  • You are now in Gouws Avenue. Cross one four way stop street and carry on to the top of the hill.
  • On the crest of the hill on your left is the entrance with sand-coloured walls and a wooden gate. You will see the Open Spatial Solution sign. Press the intercom button with "Open Spatial" on it.
This section is only available to OSS employees