Data Services - Placecube

Data is the raw material of the digital age, but its true power lies in the clarity, standards, and insights extracted from the complexity.

Mastering the language of data

With over 30 years of experience through our data team, we possess a deep-seated mastery of the complexities inherent in large-scale datasets, data standards, and API architecture. We don’t just process information; we standardise, harmonise, and transform fragmented data into high-performance digital services that drive informed decision-making across the public and private sectors.

Our data services

Open data services

We're fans of making more data open to allow innovation and stimulate co-operation - particularly where public data can be used in new ways to relieve the burden on the public sector. We've a lot of experience helping local government publish information. We've taken thousands of public datasets and standardised them so developers and analysts can use them more effectively.

Data analysis & reporting

From decades of experience with datasets large and small, we know the gotchas of data analysis. When can values be added over areas or time? How do we avoid double counting? What is statistically significant? What are the best ways of summarising and presenting large ranges of values? We combine the disciples of design, computing and statistics to convey meaning in data.

Standards consultancy

We know the practical issues of bringing together datasets which name things differently and apply different formats. Hence we've built expertise in data standards - particularly in semantics and formats, as described by schemas. We can work with experts in a field to understand existing practices before implementing a path to standardisation.

Our approach

We take a rigorous, standards-led approach to designing and building data solutions, ensuring that every system we develop is interoperable, scalable, and secure. By combining the disciplines of computing, statistics, and UX design, we navigate the "gotchas" of complex analysis—such as avoiding double-counting and ensuring statistical significance—to build robust APIs and graphical reporting tools. Our focus is always on creating open, accessible, and meaningful data environments that solve real-world problems.

Case studies

North Northamptonshire Council (NNC), a Digital Place subscriber, undertook a strategic project with Placecube to develop an end-to-end Blue Badge Application Management system. The council commissioned the solution to replace its aging Blue Badge system, which was scheduled for deprecation.

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The Police Digital Service (PDS), in partnership with Placecube, created a knowledge sharing platform designed to facilitate collaboration within the policing sector. Police forces and their partners are enabled to share research, best practice and work together on projects.

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Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils (B&MS) collaborated on a significant digital transformation initiative to rebuild and elevate the user experience of their critical housing services website.

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Knowledge Hub (khub.net) is an open digital platform for public service collaboration and knowledge exchange. It provides free or low-cost spaces and tools to over 5,000 UK and international organisations across central and local government, health, education, housing, police, fire services, charities and many more.

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Get in touch

Discuss the next step in your digital journey. Please get in touch today, our team of digital experts are ready to help.