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news opinion


Breakthroughs are the order of the day


In science, the detection of gravitational waves marks the start of a new era. In technology, hi-tech firms are launching ever-more sophisticated drones; and in nature, eagles are being trained to bring them down.


But along with this exciting progress, borders and boundaries appear to be losing their hold. The migrant crisis is a glaring example, as is the Brexit debate. The Internet too is a key player with its blatant disregard for location.


For The Business Magazine this presents its challenges. In a global society – in which the world gets a little smaller each day – our point of difference is still strictly regional, even when so many companies – especially hi-tech – are opting for an online rather than a geographical presence.


But while some issues are cross-border by their very nature, environmental for example, others, cultural perhaps, are better managed in their own back yards.


The Solent & South Coast region is what we have in common. We have shared interests – the need for office space; values – striving for equality and diversity in the workplace; responsibilities – health, wellbeing and environment; and challenges – the skills shortage. This is why the region is unashamedly at the heart of this publication.


And on a personal level, one survey after another finds that people still prefer to meet face to face, and that relationship- building is key to business success. So The Business Magazine brings the business community together through a wide range of networking events (see pages 2, 8, 21, 25), as well as our published media.


But while this region is the centre of our coverage, it is by no means the boundary. Our clients, partners, readers and guests are reaching from this solid foundation that is the Solent & South Coast to the corners of the earth.


We’d love to know how your business is doing: the opportunities, challenges and success stories (editorial@ecot.co.uk).


Carry de la Harpe Editor


www.businessmag.co.uk


NEXT MONTH NEXT MONTH


In the April issue of The Business Magazine Commercial Property


We look at the latest deals from the region, and the increasingly- pressing need for quality office space


Teambuilding


There’s no ‘i’ in ‘team’ is the focus of this feature which explores avenues to better co-working


Technology: social media


This will assess the usefulness of social media in business. Which social media are embraced by the corporate world? And what are the options, expectations and rewards of each for your line of business?


To participate in these features email


Peter Laurie at peter@elcot.co.uk or


Frank Trivino at frank@elcot.co.uk THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – SOLENT & SOUTH CENTRAL – MARCH 2016


Southampton takes mapping out of this world


Using NASA open data, Southampton-based Ordnance Survey has created a one-off paper and digital map of the Martian landscape. It has produced the map to see if Ordnance Survey mapping has potential use for future Mars missions.


David Henderson, OS director of products, explained: “The private sector and space agencies are currently in competition to land the first person on Mars. Becoming more familiar with space is something that interests us all and we couldn't resist the opportunity to apply our innovative cartography and mapping tradecraft to a different planet.


"We were asked to map an area of Mars in an OS style because our maps are easy to understand and present a compelling visualisation, and because of this we can envisage their usefulness in planning missions and for presenting information about missions to the public.”


The new map covers a 3,672km by 2,721km extent of the Mars surface and has been


produced to a scale of one to four million. OS cartographic design consultant Chris Wesson, who designed the map, said: “We have set out from the start to treat the Mars data no differently from how we would treat OS data for Britain or for any other Earth-based geography. Even though the principles are the same, the design and the aesthetics of an Earth map differ considerably.”


The depth and breadth of data OS produces and manages has no equal or equivalent anywhere in the world. It is used by governments, companies and individuals in keeping the nation, economy and infrastructure moving. It is data so big, yet simultaneously so granular and accurate, that the location of every fixed physical object in Great Britain, from the ground upwards, is registered.


This year OS celebrates 225 years of delivering the most accurate portrait of Great Britain, but the addition of the Mars map to its 607 paper maps of Britain is a giant step. It last created a map beyond the British shores in the mid-1990s.


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