How is the data made? What grid map data format should I order?
How are data products sold? Why is map scale relevant?
How can I get a quotation? How can I best use 3d ground data?
What is required in order to license a data product? How can I best use 3d building and vegetation data?
What map projection / coordinate system should I order? How can I best use population and demographic data?
What map datum ellipsoid should I order? How can I best use Aerial imagery (Orthophotography?
Do I need raster or vector map data? What am I licensed to use troyteq’s data for?
What vector map data format should I order? Can I resell the data?
What raster map data format should I order? How current is troyteq's data?

How is the data made?

Most products are created through the photogrammetric processing of low level metric aerial photography, or from high resolution satellite imagery. Attribute data is primarily captured through ground survey. While most products are produced and maintained by troyteq’s mapping team others are created by third parties and are distributed by troyteq. This approach ensures that we are able to offer our customers all of the data available on the market.

How are data products sold?

Troyteq products are ‘licensed’ rather than sold. Clients license ‘the right to use’ a data product for a particular purpose, for a specific period of time. Typically, a user will license the right for his company to use a product for a period of three years for a fixed fee.

How can I get a quotation?

If you require product information, or a product quotation, please contact our sales department at sales@troyteq.com. They will require four pieces of information in order to provide a quotation:

the name of the product in which you are interested

the geographical extent you require

the purpose for which the data will be used

the number of users who will be accessing the database

What is required in order to license a data product?

Once you have received your quotation, three items are required in order finalise a data license:

a signed purchase order (available from your purchasing department)

a signed data license agreement (available for download at our product overview page)

details of the product required (name, format, scale, projection, extent)


These documents should be faxed/emailed to troyteq.

What map projection / coordinate system should I order?

A projection, or coordinate system, is a reference grid for specifying positions (locations) on the surface of the earth. Most spatial data users in Ireland use the ‘Irish National Grid’. This has been the primary reference system in Ireland for decades and positions geographical features using two coordinates. These are referred to as ‘Easting & Northing’, or as ‘X & Y’. Occasionally, spatial data users in Ireland use the geographic type reference system called ‘Latitude & Longitude’. This type of system positions geographical features through the use of two angular coordinates, usually expressed as ‘decimal degrees minutes and seconds’. Latitude & Longitude systems are generally only used for international mapping applications, or where application software does not support the Irish National Grid. Products may be delivered in other coordinate systems upon request.

What map datum ellipsoid should I order?

A map datum is similar to a coordinate system, but deals with height reference rather than positional information. If you are using the Irish National Grid mapping reference system, you will use the associated ‘Airy Modified’ height reference ellipsoid. If you are choosing the ‘Latitude & Longitude’ mapping reference system, you will most likely require the WGS84 height reference ellipsoid. Products may be delivered in other reference datum upon request.

Do I need raster or vector map data?

The choice between raster and vector map data will depend upon the application you have in mind and how you want the data to look. A raster map looks much like a paper map – it is simply a scanned image. Raster maps typically look better than vector but will be larger in file size and therefore slower to navigate within your software. Raster mapping is generally preferred where visual appeal is important. Vector maps are simply line maps and therefore possess little of the attractive styling you may associate with a traditional map. Vector map data is however smaller in terms of file size and therefore quicker to navigate within your software. Importantly, because vector data is a ‘line feature’ (rather than just a static image), it is possible to link attribute information to vector mapping. Vector mapping is therefore generally preferred where speed or business analysis is important. Often, mapping is purely used as a background layer over which your own business information will be laid. In this case it makes little difference whether you use raster or vector map data.

What vector map data format should I order?

The most common vector map formats used internationally are SHP (by ESRI Corp.), and TAB (by MapInfo Corp.). Both are similar and interchangeable. Users that do not wish to link attribute information to features may also use popular CAD formats such as DWG or DXF (Autodesk Corp.), or DGN (Intergraph Corp.). RF planning tools often employ a variety of proprietary vector data formats; these can be accommodated upon request.

What raster map data format should I order?

The most common raster map formats used internationally are TFW-TIFF (by ESRI Corp.), and TAB-TIFF (by MapInfo Corp.). Both are similar and interchangeable. RF planning tools often employ a variety of proprietary raster data formats; these can be accommodated upon request.

What grid map data format should I order?

Height data, or population distribution data is generally utilised in a grid format – where each grid cell (or pixel) represents a particular data value. The most common grid map formats used internationally are ASCII GRID (by ESRI Corp.), and TAB-GRD (by MapInfo Corp.). RF planning tools often employ a variety of proprietary grid data formats; these can be accommodated upon request.

Why is map scale relevant?

It is important to select the appropriate map scale for the application you have in mind. While a ‘national map’ will not provide sufficient detail for building-level analysis, a ‘building-level’ map will provide too much detail for a regional analysis. Broadly speaking, you should follow these guidelines:
1:1,000 scale       Engineering works, precise asset management
1:10,000 scale     Urban analysis, route planning
1:50,000 scale     Rural analysis, route planning
1:100,000 scale   Regional analysis, national planning

How can I best use 3d ground data?

Contours are the traditional vector representation of ground elevation. While visually superior they are an interpolated product derived from a grid of ‘field measured’ data points. For accurate analysis it is recommended that this original point data be used in preference to contour data. This field measured point data is also referred to as DTM or DEM data. When data values within the product represent only ground elevation then the product is known as a DTM, or Bald Earth DTM. When additional features such as building or vegetation heights are included then product is known as a DEM, or Canopy DEM. Ground DTM data for Ireland are available in a number of formats and at resolutions (aka ‘postings’) from 10m to 100m.

How can I best use 3d building and 3d vegetation data?

Like ground height data (see above), 3D building data is available in two forms. RF planning tools will typically require a Canopy DEM in a grid format such as ASCII or Planet. If ray-tracing is required, or if the determination of ‘percentage of building covered’ is required, then users will also typically license 3d building vector data. 3d vegetation data is generally treated the same as building data, though applied as a different layer with different clutter characteristics.

How can I best use population and demographic data?

Population and demographic data is derived from figures provided by the Central Statistics Office of Ireland. Depending upon the resolution (geographic accuracy) of product selected this type of data may be used in business planning, telecoms license validation, or network optimisation. Population data is generally used in a grid format, where each cell (pixel) represents a number of individuals. Population data is also available at its original electoral district, or townland district level.

How can I best use Aerial imagery (Orthophotography)?

Aerial imagery, often referred to as orthophotography, is always provided in a raster image format. Available at ground resolutions from 20m to 0.015m, this imagery is used to perform desktop site surveys and for the route planning of fixed line telecommunications networks. Aerial imagery provides a unique insight upon the build environment. In order to manage the increased file size associated with large volumes of aerial imagery, many spatial data users will request proprietary data compression formats such as ECW or MrSid.

What am I licensed to use troyteq’s data for?

For the period of the license, you can use the data within your business for any purpose agreed at the time of licensing. Clients are not permitted to sell the data, to make products from the data or distribute it to any third party. Full details are available within your data license agreement.

Can I resell the data?

No, all data is subject to copyright restriction and therefore the distribution of data to third parties is prohibited. However, sub-licensing arrangements are available and may be arranged through the troyteq sales team.

How current is troyteq's data?

Spatial data is never totally up-to-date. Depending upon the product, it would typically take at least a year to capture aerial imagery and generate geographical feature data. Updates are performed on a rolling basis driven by customer demand and will typically occur between every one and five years.