Sustainable Partnerships: In It For The Long Haul

We’ve always believed that the best work happens when you bring together different minds and perspectives. That’s why building strong partnerships has been a core part of our journey at MGISS . From the beginning, we’ve teamed up with organizations that share our passion for using GIS to make a positive impact. Whether it’s creating greener cities, developing cutting-edge technology, or simply pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, our partners have been instrumental in shaping who we are today.

Empowering Decision-Making with Esri Expertise

Let me clear this up first and foremost, as it has caused confusion in the past, we are not Esri. By that, I mean we do not function the same as Esri or provide the same solutions as Esri, but we ARE Esri experts and silver partners. And we use that to introduce ArcGIS-based solutions to new and existing customers in the utility, infrastructure and environment sectors.

Our team have years upon years of experience in current and past Esri products; we also have younger eyes and brains who have just stepped into the GIS scene who view the software from fresh, experimental perspectives. This is what makes us perfectly positioned to work magic and adapt Esri software in ways that others cannot. The team at Esri UK support and encourage us, as we nuture and develop their software; they give us a platform so that customers can catch sight of our developments and plug-ins to squeeze as much potential out of their purchase to best fit their need.

“MGISS is a specialist Partner that understands and delivers both the data consultancy and hardware for high accuracy positioning. So when a customer needs to collect, manage and process data that has a high accuracy component to it, in our world MGISS is that preferred UK Partner. Right away from the start we could see the potential of working with MGISS, and now it’s a genuine partnership where we are stronger working together.”

Katie Lloyd-Wilkinson, European Business-Development Manager, Esri Inc.

Cross-Continental Partnerships

Based in North America, Eos Positioning Systems manufactures high-class GNSS receivers designed to make submeter to centimeter level accuracy mapping affordable and straightforward. By joining forces, we’re able to provide UK businesses with cutting-edge GNSS positioning technology at a competitive price. This kind of partnership not only boosts economic growth but also enhances technological capabilities, benefiting both companies and their customers alike.

“Partnering with MGISS allowed us to extend our reach in the UK while ensuring a good representation of our products and brand with the expertise MGISS has in the GIS industry.The feedback we receive from customers that they are happy with the service provided by MGISS in person makes us know that we are better serving our existing and potential clients by having a trusted partner located in this part of the world.”

Jean-Yves Lauture, founder of Eos Positioning Systems, Inc.

vGIS is revolutionising the construction industry into the modern world of AR. MGISS collaborating with vGIS helps to leverage this advanced AR technology to enhance project visualisation, improve workflow efficiency, and reduce errors. MGISS, as the exclusive UK reseller, ensures that these innovative solutions are accessible to local construction professionals. Together, we are driving the adoption of cutting-edge AR technology in the UK construction sector, leading to more efficient, accurate, and sustainable projects.

“Our goal was to work with somebody we could trust. Our relationship continues to grow and encompasses everything we need in a local Partner. This is why we continue to engage with MGISS exclusively in the UK.”

Alexandre Pestov, Founder of vGIS Inc.

GIS and Rewilding: A Green Partnership

Trees for Life (TFL) is a pioneering organisation dedicated to restoring the Scottish Highlands. Their mission extends beyond simply planting trees; it’s about reviving entire ecosystems and reconnecting fragmented landscapes to bring back the rich biodiversity that once thrived in these ancient forests. At the heart lies a deep commitment to rewilding- an ambitious endeavor to reintroduce native species and nurture the land, allowing the natural process to flourish.  

These extensive reforestation and habitat restoration projects, however, could not go on effectively without thorough data management- this is where we come in! MGISS headed up to TFL’s Rewilding Centre all the way in Dundreggan, Inverness for 3 days of volunteering and GIS training. While our GIS consultants, Ed & Garth, trained the TFL Rewilding teams in best use of GIS, Martin & I (Zoe) volunteered in the tree nursery, learning about forest restoration through practical work and direct observation.

Ed onboarded half the TFL team onto ArcGIS Online & Field Maps, while Gareth delivered ArcGIS Pro training to the more advanced users of ArcGIS. They covered topics from collaborating and sharing data with centrepoint for one source of data truth, to data analysis and instructions on Desktop. The senior team wanted to be able to cascade information and tips to the rest of their team in a way that made sense for their rewilding projects and build individual tools to go into their areas of expertise.

Being able to provide our expertise while also giving back to their project, created a well-built partnership that we plan to nurture and mutually share expertise in our fields.

“We decided, it would be more purposeful, as a team of GIS experts, to give back in a way that creates skills in an organisation and then actually use the opportunity to be volunteering on their estate, helping us to understand what they’re trying to do within their rewilding project. It’s been a really rewarding partnership for us as a business and we hope it’s something we will be able to continue to support them with  into the future.”

MGISS Managing Director, Mike Darracott.

Some of our early-secured partnerships are thanks to the relationships that the MGISS team have built over their entire careers. Leica Geosystems know how to make a product ‘when it has to be right’ first time; manufacturing measurement technology, such as GNSS receivers, and developing software to streamline the connectivity from device to data. Due to previous relations, Leica trusted MGISS’ expertise and knew that we could help customers appreciate the relationship between Leica’s hardware and software.

“They understand customer pain points, developing the system and tailoring the solution to the customer’s needs. To give that kind of deep level consultation is the strength of the partnership through MGISS.”

 James Whitworth, UK Survey Industry Business Director for Leica Geosystems UK

Last but not least, several of the MGISS team have experience working at Ordnance Survey, Great Britain’s national mapping service. This connection was the grounds for our near 10-year partnership with the company, whose data services we use with our customer daily, and develop our solutions with in the MGISS office.

The greatest part of forming these trusting partnerships with such pioneers in the industry, is that we empower each other. It is not about competition or who can do it better. It’s understanding who can do it best- acknowledging where the expertise is, and leveraging it so that more people who need it, can see it. We’ve been lucky enough to team up with some amazing people over the years. From eco-warriors to tech trailblazers, we’ve built partnerships that have helped us grow and learn. Together, we’ve completed some pretty cool projects and pushed the boundaries of what’s possible with GIS. It’s been a wild ride, and we can’t wait to see what else we acheive with each other!

---