Arb Newsletter – May 2015

/in , /by

 

Events

Pear Technology will be exhibiting and giving demonstrations at the following events.

 

Month Date Event Location

Link
June Friday 5th
Saturday 6th
 The Arb Show
 Westonbirt Arboretum
GL8 8QS		 http://www.trees.org.uk/training-events/The-ARB-Show
June Wednesday 17th Barchams
Big Barn Day
 Ely, Cambs
CB7 5XF		 http://www.bali.org.uk/news_events/events/946/barchams-2015-big-barn-conference
June Tuesday 30th Arb Association Scotland Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh EH3 5NZ
 http://www.trees.org.uk/aa/branches/Scottish-SC.html
July / August Friday 31st – Sunday 2nd CLA Game Fair Harewood House, Leeds, LS17 9LG  https://cla.yourticketbooking.com/p/CLAGameFair?REFID=GFHomepage
September Thursday 10th
Friday 11th		 Confor
Woodland Show
 Longleat, Warminster, Wilts BA12 7NW http://www.confor.org.uk/NewsAndEvents/Default.aspx?pid=174
September Sunday 20th – Wednesday 23rd Arb Association Amenity Conference The University of Warwick, Arts Centre
CV4 7AL		 http://www.trees.org.uk/Amenity-Conference

http://www.warwickartscentre.co.uk/your-visit/

 

Leasing

We are now able to offer 3 year leasing options for both hardware and software. This allows payments to be spreads and set off against tax.

For further details, see our web site, or give me a call – Jonathan Smith 07593 299752

 

Software Development

PT Mapper Pro

  • Markers Tool – Includes option to add grid reference coordinates as labels
  • New Tree legend template – includes templates without tree shadow.
  • Fixed problem to do with Ordnance Vector Map Local TIFF files not loading correctly.

MapLink

  • New draw circle tool added – allows units to be specified
  • Data verification – if 2 or more records have the same postcode there is now an option to click through all of them on the map pop up window
  • Off screen drawing is applied to all maps to improve the stability of the program while points and themes are being added
  • Fixed problems with the print screen tool

TreeMinder

In TreeMinder reports it is now possible to choose how the report is filtered. There are 2 options on the report selection page:

  • Filter Style: Loose. This option works by using the criteria to narrow down the list of trees, however all work items are then shown for those trees, for example if you choose Remove :: Minor Dead Wood then the report includes all the information for any tree that includes that work type in its work list. This can be useful as it allows the complete situation to be seen for the trees of interest.
  • Filter Style: Tight. This option applies the criteria more strictly and only shows information that exactly matches the criteria, for example if you choose Remove :: Minor Dead Wood then the report would only show that work item in its work list and any other work for that tree would be effectively hidden.
  • A custom footer can now be added. The details can be entered on the report selection page.

 

Case Studies

We are keen to collect case studies and will provide a reward for those used. (eg 50% discount off your next year’s technical support). Please contact us if you have any cases you would like to share.

 

Map Shop

 

 

We are going to provide an online Map Shop and are inviting trial users – please let us know if you are interested.We have developed the  Map Shop to provide you with instant access to the latest Ordnance Survey map data, whenever you need it. You will also be able to produce  your own quotes before committing to buying the map. More details will be available soon.

 

 

 

Hardware Update

Android Pocket GIS is now becoming available – trial users are invited. Please let Pear Technology know if you are interested.

Trimble T41CG (default recommendation):

4.3″ screen, 800 x 480, Windows Mobile or Android option,

1-2 metre GPS 8mp camera, all day battery, IP68        £1,650

Panasonic Toughpad :

Windows 8 ,10″ screen, i5 processor, 3-5 metre GPS, IP65, 3 year warranty

http://business.panasonic.co.uk/computer-product/toughpad/fz-g1        £2,750

Getac T800:

Windows 8 tablet. 8″ screen 1280 x 800, 2.5m GPS

http://en.getac.com/tablets/T800/specs.html       £1,600

Getac Z710:

Android tablet, 7″ screen, 1024 x 600, 5mp camera, 2.5m GPS

http://uk.getac.com/tablets/Z710/specs.html         £ 995

 

 

Australian Version

 

We have now developed a version of our software for the Australian market and have a local distributor. If you would like further   details, or know of anyone in Australia who might benefit from our system, please let me know.

 

We would also be interested in rolling out our software to other markets and would be happy to receive suggestions.

 

 

Group Training Days

We are considering running group training days, allowing for economical training and sharing of best practice. A minimum 5 trainees would be required. Cost TBC. Please let me know if you might be interested.

 

Tenders/Leads

Brighton and Hove -arboricultural services, due 26.05.15 see: http://www.sell2wales.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=APR080441

The Royal Parks – arboricultural advisory services, tender due 12.06.15: http://www.sell2wales.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=MAY083526

English Heritage South East – Arboricultural Services – tender due 01.06.15: http://www.sell2wales.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=MAY082484

Local Councils

We have 200+ Local Council clients. Many of them have responsibility for the trees in their parish and could benefit from your services. You can then update their maps and records with your survey results, using Pear Technology’s system.

If you already provide services to Local Councils, please let me know and I will exclude those councils from our mailing.

If you do not wish to be included in the list of Pear Technology arboricultural consultants, within 30 miles of a given Local Council, please let me know.

Data sets available at Pear Technology

/in , , /by

​For more information on the Data Sets at Pear please see the links below:

 PT Info- RPA Maps

​​ PT Info- Land Registry

​​ PT Info- Open Land Registry

​​ PT Info- Data Sets

​​ PT Guide- OS data F&E

DOWNLOAD NOW PT-Mapper

Data Sets Prezi

/in , , /by

 

​For more information on the Data Sets at Pear please see the links below:

 PT Info- RPA Maps

​​ PT Info- Land Registry

​​ PT Info- Open Land Registry

​​ PT Info- Data Sets

​​ PT Guide- OS data F&E

​

Farm Business Innovation and Country house Innovation Show

/in , , /by

The Farm Business Innovation show is growing into its second year, Pear Technology will be exhibiting to share what we have been working on and what is happening in the world of mapping for rural market.

With last year’s success, the two days are expanding to incorporate the Country House Innovation show to host in one place everything innovative in the rural sector. As well as the exhibitors, there are going to be a diversity of speakers sharing the best ideas of rural development from the “Future of Diversification” to “How to grow your brand”. It promises to be a fascinating two days and best of all it is free for all to attend.

When:

Thursday 27th November 10am – 6pm

Friday 28th November 10am – 5pm

Where:

Olympia London, Hammersmith Road, London, W148UX

Maps were disabled by the visitor on this site. Click to open the map in a new window.

 

 

What Pear is doing at the show

Exhibiting

We will be showing how our software and services assist rural innovation and that as well as the latest Ordnance Survey large-scale maps, there is an increasing supply of freely available Governmental map data available to take advantage of. Access to this data from Land Registry, the Environment Agency, Forestry Commission, Natural England, RPA is a key part of rural business management, and our products and services are designed to make this as useful as possible to you.

Seminars

We have been asked to present two seminars describing how the world of mapping and GIS is evolving for farms and estates, and the opportunities that are now at your fingertips.

Pear Technology’s Farm Business Innovation Seminar. Find out more.

Pear Technology’s  Country House Innovation Seminar. Find out more.

 

Take a day or two out in London to experience the latest innovations taking place in the rural sector. It is going to be a great couple of days uncovering the latest ideas and opportunities available to you and your business. We look forward to seeing you there.

Getting free tickets

To get your free ticket for the show follow this link.

Links

Farm Business Innovation Show- http://www.thefarmingshow.co.uk/

FBI Seminars- http://www.thefarmingshow.co.uk/seminars/

FBI Free Tickets- https://tickets.prysmgroup.co.uk/farming/119/

Country House Innovation Show- http://www.countryhouseinnovation.co.uk/

CHI seminars- http://www.countryhouseinnovation.co.uk/speakers/

CHI Order Free Tickets- https://tickets.prysmgroup.co.uk/ctry/127/

The CLA Game Fair – 18-20 July 2014

/in /by

oslp_003

What a great show the CLA Game Fair was. It was wonderful to meet so many new people and see so many existing customers. With all our new digital mapping options for estate and farm mapping there was a lot to talk about. The Basic Payment Scheme mapping was a hot topic and there is more to come on that front.  Get in touch with Pear if there is anything more you would like to know.

samsung_galaxy_note_8.0 copyWin a tablet

We are developing some great new ideas that utilise mobile technology to ensure you always have the right information wherever you are. To help you get the full picture we’ll be giving away a Galaxy Tab II smart tablet. Just enter your details below to enter the draw.

Error: Contact form not found.

Free Rural Payment Agency maps for digital mapping

/in , , /by

Please note this article was written in 2014. You can find the latest way to download your RPA field boundaries by clicking on our new post here.

 

See note above. Click here for latest info. 

 

 

Having Rural Payment Agency maps in digital format has many benefits to the landowner. Here’s how to get hold of them.

There are many advantages of having your RPA maps in digital map format within PT-Mapper compared to a simple PDF. In PT-Mapper you can select any map features to get measurements of area or length. It is also possible to make additional edits such as adding buffer strips, or splitting fields. By working with the data sourced from the RPA you can work with the certainty that you are operating with the approved data for your land. PT-Mapper will display the RPA field boundaries onto your existing maps with the  field numbers and areas as specified by the RPA. You will then be able to treat them as you can anything else in PT-Mapper. Follow the steps outlined below to import them into the latest version of PT-Mapper.

How to obtain your maps

By Email

  • Have ready your Business name and SBI number
  • Email: csc@rpa.gsi.gov.uk and ask for the ‘shapefile’ of the RPA field boundaries for your Business name and SBI number. Request for the shapefile to be returned to your email address.

By Phone

  • Have ready your SBI number & Business name to give to the operator
  • Call: 03456 037777
  • Choose the 5th option ‘Land and Mapping’
  • Go through any security chekcs
  • Asked to be emailed the ‘shapefiles’ RPA field boundaries, give the email address held on the RPA system for them to return the data to.

Importing the digital Map file into PTM

  • Save the file returned from the RPA to an appropriate place on your computer, and ‘unzip’ the folder
  • Within PT Mapper click – File> Import> Import RPA file
  • Find the RPA file you have unzipped and click Open
  • Your RPA Map should now be imported onto PT Mapper.  If not, please contact us.

Pear Technology at the National Amenity Conference

/in , /by

Pear Technology will be attending the Arboricultural Association’s National Amenity Conference on the 15-16 September 2014 at Royal Holloway, University of London. For more information about the conference, click here.

Pear Technology at APF 2014

/in /by

Pear Technology will be attending APF2014 – the UK’s largest forestry, woodland and arboricultural exhibition at the Ragley Estate, Alcester on 18-20 September 2014.

The introduction of the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS)

/in , , , /by

The new CAP Reform for farmers will be replacing the Single Payment Scheme in 2015 with the introduction of the Basic Payment Scheme.  Get prepared by organising your maps quickly and easily with Pear Technology.

Pear’s rural land management mapping software, PT-Mapper, allows you to cover all the forthcoming requirements, including:

Greening

As a farmer, you will need to comply with three “greening measures”. These three measures will affect up to 30% of the BPS payment, so it is important to ensure you are compliant with the requirements. Additional EFA options may be added in time, but initially the three areas are:

Ecological Focus Areas

Buffer strips and hedges count as high importance EFAs and are weighted highly. However, farmers deciding to use hedgerows as part of their EFA could face a significant delay to their payment because of the mapping requirements. It is therefore important to submit suitably mapped claims as soon as possible.

Crop diversification

Environmentally beneficial crops, such as nitrogen fixing, catch crops and cover crops are included. There will be no restrictions on inputs (pesticides and fertilisers).  The list of crops counting towards this requirement is to be published shortly.

Maintenance of permanent grassland

This relates to land lying fallow where you have sown with environmental seed mixes such as wild bird seed mix and pollen and nectar mixes.

Weightings and coefficients

These weightings will affect how much each option will count for on the ground:

 Features Conversion factor Weighting factor Ecological focus area
Buffer strips 6 1.5 9m²
Hedges 5 2 10m²
Catch crops/green cover n.a 0.3 0.3m²
Nitrogen fixing crops n.a 0.7 0.7m²
Land lying fallow n.a 1 1m²

For example hedgerows 100m will be multiplied by a conversion factor of 5, and the weighting factor of 2 Result= 100 x 5 x 2= 1000m2   Please see additional documentation on information relating to double funding and decisions regarding GAEC standards.

*Document referenced from the CLA documentation

For more information, please visit:

Gov.uk- Countryside gets set to claim £15billion under CAP reform
NFU- Basic Payment Scheme – BPS
CLA- BASIC PAYMENT SCHEME
Robinson and Hall- CAP Reform 2015 – The New Basic Payment Scheme

 

DOWNLOAD NOW PT-Mapper

See the video on how to map your BPS options and calculate the Ecological Focus Areas here